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SANTA ROSA ACADEMY
MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS SYLLABUS
TEACHER INFORMATION
Teacher Contact Information:
Email - [email protected]
Phone - (951) 672-2400
Class Website – www.mssuzuki.weebly.com
Please constantly check the website for homework and class information. In addition, the easiest way to contact me would be at the email address above.
About Ms. Suzuki:
Welcome to Middle School English! This is my fifth year at Santa Rosa Academy, and I am looking forward to working together with you in the classroom. I graduated from Pepperdine University with an English degree and earned my teaching credential from there; I also just finished my Masters in English at University of California, Irvine this summer. I’ve always loved to read and explore ideas within literature and media, and I am hoping to share this passion with all my students at Santa Rosa Academy.
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Objective:
Middle School English will focus on enhancing and polishing previously learned skills in reading and writing. The analytical skills learned in an English classroom will aid students in their future discoveries of different ideas and perspectives.
Overview of Classroom Activities:
Students will participate in various forms of activities in class, including but not limited to: academic and creative writing, literature analysis, oral presentations, group projects, and research. Each unit usually focuses on a single literary work or group of works; within this framework, appropriate vocabulary and grammar will be introduced and incorporated. The class will also be writing intensive, and students will have the opportunity to try different types of essays, prose and poetry.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Code of Conduct:
All students are expected to adhere to Santa Rosa Academy’s core values and motto. Each individual is responsible for helping create a safe and nurturing environment for learning. To contribute to this environment, students are expected to:
□ Be physically and mentally prepared for class
□ Respect themselves and others
□ Put full effort into each activity
□ Take responsibility for their actions
Please note that highly disrespectful actions or inappropriate behaviors may result in consequences and a direct referral to the administration.
Attendance and Homework Policy:
Students are required to attend class, and punctuality (being on time) is expected. If a student knows that he or she will be absent ahead of time, he or she is responsible for asking for the class work and homework before the actual absence. In addition, only excused absences will be given extra time to turn in assignments. Unexcused absences will not be given this option.
For absences of one day, the students will be allowed one day to make up the work after they come back. Each student should find a study buddy to call in case of an unplanned absence. For absences that are longer than one day, the students have the number of days they missed to make up the missed work. (example: if a student misses Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for a total of three days, they have three days – Thursday, Friday, and Monday – to turn in everything.)
If a student is late one day (unexcused) with his or her regular homework, he/she will be given a maximum of half credit for the late work. If the student does not turn it in within ONE WEEK of the due date, he/she will not get any credit for the class. For big or long-term projects, everyday the project is late the grade will go down one letter grade than what it originally would have been given. Tests missed will need to be made up within a week after the test date if a student is absent. It is the student’s responsibility to plan the make up test date; after a week, the test will become a zero in the gradebook.
GRADING POLICY
Grading Scale:
98-100% = A + 78-79% = C + below 60% = F
93-97% = A 73-77% = C
90-92% = A - 70-72% = C -
88-89% = B + 68-69% = D +
83-87% = B 63-67% = D
80-82% = B - 60-62% = D –
SCHOOLWIDE EXPECTATIONS
Code of Conduct (from the administration):
Dress code - We insist that our students follow the school dress code. Our experience confirms that when students follow the dress code, we have fewer discipline issues and we can concentrate more on education. Please take a moment to read through the section in the student handbook (available online at sra.mn) that covers the dress code. Students who violate this policy risk losing valuable class time and will also earn consequences, starting with detention and moving to more serious discipline.
Computer use - We expect students in our one-to-one Macbook program to always use their computers appropriately. Middle school teachers rarely allow “free time” for students and their computers. Students need to remember that games or YouTube or other non-educational sites (of any kind) on their computers will earn discipline, starting with lunch detention and moving to more serious consequences. In addition, students must remember to charge their laptops every night at home. Students who bring their laptops to school without it being fully charged will also earn discipline, starting with lunch detention and moving to more serious consequences. While on campus, students must have their laptops always secure in their possession—with the exception of P.E., break, and lunch when they will be stored in locked classrooms. If a student leaves their laptop unattended, that student will earn discipline, starting with lunch detention and moving to more serious consequences.
NECESSARY MATERIALS FOR CLASS
Below is the list of materials that students will use during their school year.
Supplies are due MONDAY, August 15th.
□ One single subject notebook (college ruled) - at least 120 pages
□ Pencils, erasers, and pens (blue, black, and red)
□ A set of highlighters
□ Post-its
□ Working Student Macbook to class on all days
□ Independent reading book for silent reading
□ Scissors
□ Glue stick
□ Colored pencils or markers
□ Ruler
Student Agreement
English 2016-2017
Please return this page to Ms. Suzuki for homework credit by Thursday, August 11th. The syllabus can be found on www.mssuzuki.weebly.com. If you have any questions regarding the syllabus, my email is [email protected].
Student: I have read the syllabus and promise to try my best in and out of class.
Print name: _____________________________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian: My child has discussed the syllabus with me.
Print name: _____________________________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________________________
Email: _____________________________________________________
SANTA ROSA ACADEMY
MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS SYLLABUS
TEACHER INFORMATION
Teacher Contact Information:
Email - [email protected]
Phone - (951) 672-2400
Class Website – www.mssuzuki.weebly.com
Please constantly check the website for homework and class information. In addition, the easiest way to contact me would be at the email address above.
About Ms. Suzuki:
Welcome to Middle School English! This is my fifth year at Santa Rosa Academy, and I am looking forward to working together with you in the classroom. I graduated from Pepperdine University with an English degree and earned my teaching credential from there; I also just finished my Masters in English at University of California, Irvine this summer. I’ve always loved to read and explore ideas within literature and media, and I am hoping to share this passion with all my students at Santa Rosa Academy.
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Objective:
Middle School English will focus on enhancing and polishing previously learned skills in reading and writing. The analytical skills learned in an English classroom will aid students in their future discoveries of different ideas and perspectives.
Overview of Classroom Activities:
Students will participate in various forms of activities in class, including but not limited to: academic and creative writing, literature analysis, oral presentations, group projects, and research. Each unit usually focuses on a single literary work or group of works; within this framework, appropriate vocabulary and grammar will be introduced and incorporated. The class will also be writing intensive, and students will have the opportunity to try different types of essays, prose and poetry.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Code of Conduct:
All students are expected to adhere to Santa Rosa Academy’s core values and motto. Each individual is responsible for helping create a safe and nurturing environment for learning. To contribute to this environment, students are expected to:
□ Be physically and mentally prepared for class
□ Respect themselves and others
□ Put full effort into each activity
□ Take responsibility for their actions
Please note that highly disrespectful actions or inappropriate behaviors may result in consequences and a direct referral to the administration.
Attendance and Homework Policy:
Students are required to attend class, and punctuality (being on time) is expected. If a student knows that he or she will be absent ahead of time, he or she is responsible for asking for the class work and homework before the actual absence. In addition, only excused absences will be given extra time to turn in assignments. Unexcused absences will not be given this option.
For absences of one day, the students will be allowed one day to make up the work after they come back. Each student should find a study buddy to call in case of an unplanned absence. For absences that are longer than one day, the students have the number of days they missed to make up the missed work. (example: if a student misses Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for a total of three days, they have three days – Thursday, Friday, and Monday – to turn in everything.)
If a student is late one day (unexcused) with his or her regular homework, he/she will be given a maximum of half credit for the late work. If the student does not turn it in within ONE WEEK of the due date, he/she will not get any credit for the class. For big or long-term projects, everyday the project is late the grade will go down one letter grade than what it originally would have been given. Tests missed will need to be made up within a week after the test date if a student is absent. It is the student’s responsibility to plan the make up test date; after a week, the test will become a zero in the gradebook.
GRADING POLICY
Grading Scale:
98-100% = A + 78-79% = C + below 60% = F
93-97% = A 73-77% = C
90-92% = A - 70-72% = C -
88-89% = B + 68-69% = D +
83-87% = B 63-67% = D
80-82% = B - 60-62% = D –
SCHOOLWIDE EXPECTATIONS
Code of Conduct (from the administration):
Dress code - We insist that our students follow the school dress code. Our experience confirms that when students follow the dress code, we have fewer discipline issues and we can concentrate more on education. Please take a moment to read through the section in the student handbook (available online at sra.mn) that covers the dress code. Students who violate this policy risk losing valuable class time and will also earn consequences, starting with detention and moving to more serious discipline.
Computer use - We expect students in our one-to-one Macbook program to always use their computers appropriately. Middle school teachers rarely allow “free time” for students and their computers. Students need to remember that games or YouTube or other non-educational sites (of any kind) on their computers will earn discipline, starting with lunch detention and moving to more serious consequences. In addition, students must remember to charge their laptops every night at home. Students who bring their laptops to school without it being fully charged will also earn discipline, starting with lunch detention and moving to more serious consequences. While on campus, students must have their laptops always secure in their possession—with the exception of P.E., break, and lunch when they will be stored in locked classrooms. If a student leaves their laptop unattended, that student will earn discipline, starting with lunch detention and moving to more serious consequences.
NECESSARY MATERIALS FOR CLASS
Below is the list of materials that students will use during their school year.
Supplies are due MONDAY, August 15th.
□ One single subject notebook (college ruled) - at least 120 pages
□ Pencils, erasers, and pens (blue, black, and red)
□ A set of highlighters
□ Post-its
□ Working Student Macbook to class on all days
□ Independent reading book for silent reading
□ Scissors
□ Glue stick
□ Colored pencils or markers
□ Ruler
Student Agreement
English 2016-2017
Please return this page to Ms. Suzuki for homework credit by Thursday, August 11th. The syllabus can be found on www.mssuzuki.weebly.com. If you have any questions regarding the syllabus, my email is [email protected].
Student: I have read the syllabus and promise to try my best in and out of class.
Print name: _____________________________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian: My child has discussed the syllabus with me.
Print name: _____________________________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________________________
Email: _____________________________________________________