Pawcatuck Middle School Seventh Grade Language Arts Syllabus Common Core State Standards The State of Connecticut

recently adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts. These standards establish what students should know and be able to do as they progress through grades K-12. As a result, the Stonington Language Arts curriculum is currently under revision to align it with the CCSS. This year we will implement the CCSS in Language Arts and begin to develop new units of study around the standards. More information about the CCSS can be found at http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards. The Common Core State Standards are grouped into five main areas: Reading for Literature, Reading for Information, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language (spelling, punctuation, grammar and vocabulary). The standards are not taught in isolation. They are taught across all subject areas. For example, many of the Reading for Information standards are introduced in social studies and science, and the Language standards are reinforced across all subject areas. Course Description Students in seventh grade will read a wide variety of material, from self-selected novels, to whole class books to non-fiction articles and textbooks. Much of what we read will be used as models for writing pieces. A workshop approach is used to help students become independent learners. Classes typically start with a mini-lesson followed by a large block of time for silent reading or writing and assignment work. During this time the teacher meets with individuals or small groups to check on student progress, provide assistance and teach skills. This workshop approach allows students to challenge themselves to read and write as much as possible while allowing for individual differences among students. Home reading is an essential part of the reading program. Students are expected to read for a minimum of 20 minutes five nights a week and to write a weekly response. Developing a habit of reading at home will have a significantly positive impact on a students success. All students will use a writers notebook to try out new ideas and record thoughts for future writing. Mini-lessons to improve skills such as spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, grammar and paragraph construction are taught within the context of writing workshop. Units of study may include, but are not limited to the following: Narrative writing Poetry Expository/Research writing Civil War/Slavery reading Persuasive writing Multicultural reading Short stories Assessment Students will be assessed informally as I observe and meet with them, and more formally by their written work, presentations and projects. Students are graded on a cumulative point system, with each assignment being worth a certain number of points. The total points earned is divided by the total possible points to help determine a students grade. Rubrics for major assignments will be sent home. Check the homework website (http://folio.stonington.org/tflanagan) for copies of rubrics and announcements about when they are sent home. Please contact me at any time if you have questions about your childs progress. I am able to print out a progress report at any point in the trimester and discuss it with you. (tflanagan@stoningtonschools.org)