Windor Junior High School Course of Study
2005-2006

Ms. Cognato		7th grade English

Prerequisites for this course: K-6 English classes

Course Description & Course Content:  This course is an English class that focuses on reading and writing in alignment with the Vermont State Standards for grade seven.  This class was created to help students communicate more effectively through their writing and to improve their reading skills.  Students will write using a variety of different media (journals, letters, essays and additional written assignments).   English will be integrated with Geography, Science and Math at certain points throughout the year to help foster a community of higher learning and to help students create intellectual bridges from class-to-class and to the real world.   
Course Goals: 1) The first and primary goal of this course is to improve reading and writing skills. 2) The second goal of this course is to foster a love of reading, learning and knowledge in general.   3) The third goal of this course is to instill organizational skills and a sense of responsibility as far as schoolwork is concerned.
Methods and Materials that will be used:  A plethora of teaching methods and instuctional techniques will be employed throughout the school year.  These methods will vary according to the content that is being covered and the work that is being done.  Differentiated instruction is a big priority in this course and students will be given material that challenges them at their own personal level.  Materials will include books.  Many books.  Some of the books seventh graders will be reading are the following: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie, The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg, The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lanclyn Green, The Book of Enchantments by Patricia C. Wrede, The Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron, The Ballad of Sir Dinadan by Gerald Morris, The Sword of the Rightful King by Jane Yolen, Passager by Jane Yolen, and Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede.  Fairytales, folktales, short stories and picture books will also be used.   Students will also be required to do independent reading outside of class.  They are required to read 2 novels of their choice outside of class each quarter.  Please note that these books must be approved by their classroom teacher.  
How student performance will be assessed:  Students will be assessed through informal and formal methods.  Some of these methods include rubrics, tests, quizzes, online quizzes, homework assignments, journal entries, special presentations, projects, book reports, etc.
Grading Policy: The Middle School Grading Policy will apply to this class.  The first day an assignment is late, the student will receive 75% of the grade they would have received had they turned it in on time.  Therefore, if a student turned in an A+ project one day late, they would receive a C (75%).  The second day the assignment is late, the student will receive 50% of the grade they would have received had they turned it in on time.  Students are highly encouraged to hand their work in on time.  Extensions will be granted to students in the event of extreme illness, a death in the family or other extenuating circumstances.  Extensions are given out at the discretion of the teacher.  Students will be graded in the following areas: homework, preparation, quizzes and tests, journals, and projects.  The percentage of the following categories is listed below.  The categories and weighting thereof are subject to change.  However, in the event that a change is made, the instructor will notify the students of the alteration to the grading policy.
•	Homework: 35%
•	Preparation: 10%
•	Quizzes & Tests: 20%
•	Journals: 5%
•	Projects: 30%

Teacher Expectations:  Middle School students are expected to abide by the middle school expectations at all times.  English 7 students are required to bring their binder, pen or pencil (not red), a book for silent reading, and a ready mind to class each day.  The instructor will not provide the student with these materials.

Major Project Dates and Timelines:
Missing Persons Presentation : Date TBA
A FBR (Fun Book Report) is due each quarter: Dates TBA
Medieval Midsummer Festival: Date TBA

Required materials, supplies, etc.:  One subject 3 ring binder for English only, pen, pencil, book for silent reading, good work ethic, journal (provided by school).

Links to State Standards: Students will learn the following literary elements and devices (in accordance with the VT state standards):  Setting, Characters (flat/round, motivation, protagonist/antagonist), Audience, Conflict, Detail, Dialogue, Flashback, Foreshadowing, Imagery, Mood, Plot, Point of View (perspective, person), Purpose, Setting, Structure, Suspense, Theme, Tone, Metaphors, Similes, Personification, Alliteration, Assonance, Onomatopoeia, Irony, Symbolism, Allusion and Voice.    Students will also work on the following components of writing: Prewriting (selecting topic, general ideas, organization of ideas, and brainstorming methods), Drafting, Revision (for content, unity, sentence variety, precise diction, organization, voice), Editing (for sentence structure, grammar, mechanics), Peer Editing, and Publishing.   In addition, students will also be practicing their spelling.  To better understand the spelling program, please visit the website at http://www.weeklywords.com.  Grammar will also be focused on, with specific regard to: Capitalization, Punctuation, Spelling, Direct/Indirect Objects, Subject/verb agreement, Use of subjective & objective pronouns, Parts of speech (nouns, verbs, conjunctions, interjections, prepositions, adjectives, adverbs, articles and pronouns), Prepositional phrases/infinitive phrases, Dependent/Subordinate Clauses, Independent Clauses, Sentences- Purpose (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory)

Teacher availability, extra help, contact information:  The instructor will be available after school most days from 2:15 to 3PM.  The instructor will most likely be available until 4PM, but not always, due to meetings and other commitments.  Students may drop by after school without making an appointment.  However, it is best to make an appointment to insure that the instructor does not have a conflict and will be available for extra help.  Parents and students can reach the instructor by sending an email to: lauren_cognato@windsor.k12.vt.us or mscognato@yahoo.com.  Assignments and other helpful information are located on the class website at http://www.geocities.com/mscognato.  The instructor can also be reached at extension 344.