This website is for your information. I will post notes, directions, homework assignments, and links that will be used during class and worked on as homework.

If you would like to contact me directly, please e-mail me at: kpenn@mason-city.k12.ia.us. Don't use the classjump e-mail to contact me...just use the MCCSD website.

As the school year progresses and projects/units get going, I will have you start at this site for the guidelines and directions. At this site I will lay out the steps and set up links for you to use.

Lesson plans for the entire week will be added to each Friday prior. You can return to the "Past" or see upcoming plans. Plans are subject to chnage, but it will give you an overall picture.

“Expectations” will explain how we are running our classrooms this year, materials that students should have, and procedures to follow.

"Language Arts" will give the overall syllabus for the class, give an overview of the 6+1 Traits of Effective Writers, give specific directions for both writing and speaking projects, and help you find connections to specific web sites that are teacher approved and most useful for help with doing a project.

"Reading" will give the overall syllabus for the class, list the vocabulary units, and give specific directions for the 6 Traits of Effective Readers.

"Resources" will give you direct connections to Noodletools, AEA267's EBSCO, SIRS Researcher, Clip Art and AP Photos, OSLIS Citation Maker etc. and remind you about Digital Notetaking.

**MCCSD is not legally responsible for any part of this site. All content is the responsibility of the employee.**

We have weekly vocabulary units, practice using the 6 Traits of an effective reader, complete novel studies, and read free reading books. After a student has finished a book, they complete a novel note and add the information to the quarterly Book Log.

Plans for this year:
Vocabulary Units 1-8
Quarter Reading Logs (1400+ pages)/Noodle Tools Bibliographies
6 Traits of Reading
Fiction - review, short stories
Mystery Unit
Nonfiction Unit 1
Fantasy Unit
Nonfiction Unit 2
Historical Fiction
Greek Mythology Unit
To Kill a Mockingbird
Poetry Unit
Nonfiction Unit 3

We alternate between working on speaking skills (speeches) and writing skills (sentences, paragraphs, and essays). We have weekly DOL sentences to practice our editing skills.

Plans for this year:
Impromptu Speech
Interview Speech
FPS in the Classroom
6+1 Traits of Writing
Creative Writing Unit
Expository Essay - Mystery
Typology Unit/Magazine
Author/Book Speech
Expository Essay - Fantasy
Creative Writing - Fantasy
7th Grade Benchmark Parts 1 & 2
Author Presentations
Greek Mythology Presentations
Poetry Unit, Booklet, & Reader's Theater
Reflective Essay
How To...Speech

Honors Reading and Language Arts
Mrs. Penn
Room 134
JAMS -7 @ Madison
Our classroom Management Plan



Expectations:
1) Be responsible
2) Be Respectful
3) Build Relationships



Procedures:

1. Be in your seat when the bell rings with your materials.

2. Use the restroom during your passing time. If you need to go out during class (emergency), you need to sign out with teacher permission. This will be a tardy.

3. Please drink plenty of water between classes. Bring water in a clear plastic container.

4. Demonstrate appropriate speaking and listening skills.

5. Take responsibility to obtain and complete make-up work as soon as possible. Check the board on the front wall and/or the website.

http://classjump.com/7thHonorsReadingLanguageArts/

6. Please finish all work by the due date.

7. Remain in you seat until dismissed by teacher…not the bell!


Grading Policy
Achievement: 80% (tests, quizzes, final drafts of papers, speeches, etc)
Productivity: 20% (materials, worksheets, project work, logs, etc)

A 100-90
B 89-80
C 79-70
D 69-60 (Concerns - Interventions)
F 59 and below (Unacceptable - Interventions)

*Students in the TD program must maintain as 80% academic average throughout the trimesters or they will be placed on probationary status. If the students can’t maintain an 80% academic average, the TD program placement of the student will be evaluated by Mrs. Penn and Mr. Jumper.

Note: All standards and Benchmarks are posted on the back of the room.



Reading and Language Arts Supplies
o Pencil, blue/black pens for doing assignments
o Red pen for checking, editing, and revising
o Loose-leaf paper
o Flash Drive
o Index cards (for research and note cards for speeches)

**Strongly recommended: 3-ring binder or other organizational system. We will be collecting artifacts of our work all year long and using them at the end of the year. It will be up to each student to keep these assignments.


kpenn@mason-city.k12.ia.us

Absent Procedures

o If notes were taken the day you missed, it is your responsibility to copy them down. You may get them from another students or me.

o I am available 8th period, before and after school until 4:00 if you need any further help.

o Make-up work is your responsibility. You will be given two days
to make up work for each day missed if you missed all day, 1 day if you missed just that period.

o You must turn in all work PRIOR to attending your band or
orchestra lesson and sign out in the book.





Classroom Tips

o Be sure to write down the day’s homework in your planner.

o Set aside a certain time and place to do your homework every night.

o Have all your materials needed for class everyday

o Maintain your reading log.

o Don’t wait until the last minute to study for tests, complete assignments, etc.

o See me if you have any questions or concerns. Most often a simple explanation saves a lot of stress.

Consequences
I expect students to “do what is right” in my classroom.
However, if a student is not turning in work, not working up to his/her ability, not being respectful or responsible, etc., the following consequences will occur:


1st episode – verbal warning


2nd episode – time after class, verbal and written warning (phone home depending on severity)


3rd episode – time after class, written discipline slip (phone call home)


4th episode – discretion of teacher and/or administrator. These will depend on the severity when assigning the consequence.








Technology Lab

We will be using this room a lot! All classroom rules apply when we are using this room during class time and any 8th period.

You are assigned a specific computer station to use for the year. Any changes to the monitor, desktop, programs, cord plug-ins, etc. are technology violations. If you violate your and another’s computer station, you will lose privileges, so make good choices.

John Adams Middle School
Mrs. Penn