Welcome Back Mrs Meixsell Mrs Gordons 7 th

Welcome Back! Mrs. Meixsell & Mrs. Gordon’s 7 th Grade English Class Mrs. Meixsell & Mrs. Brinton: ENL ELA

Welcome back to school! We know that the first day is hard: getting up early, seeing old friends, meeting new ones, a new schedule and a bunch of new teachers—so let’s get the basic rules and regulations of the classroom in order and get to know one another. We look forward to a productive and successful year with all of you.

Index Cards On the UNLINED side, please write the following information: • Name (LAST, FIRST) / ELA Period • Parent / Guardian NAME and preferred language • Parent/Guardian Phone Number(s) • Parent/Guardian Email(s) • YOUR EMAIL • 1 thing I / we should know about you.

Slide Rules: & • When you see on the slide, write it down! • When you see on the slide, write down what is UNDERLINED ONLY.

7 th Grade: Materials For this class you will need the following supplies that are used ONLY for ELA (this class): 1 - A paper-filled (lined paper) 3 -ring binder 2 - TWO folders with 3 holes to fit into the binder 3 - Pens/Pencils & a pencil sharpener in a pencil-case holder 4 - 2 different color highlighters 5 - Packs of "Post-It" or 'sticky' notes (you will need these throughout the year for note-taking) 6 - A marble or 1 -subject notebook

7/8 ENL Supplies For this class you will need the following supplies that are used ONLY for ELA / (Para esta clase se necesitan los siguientes materiales que se utilizan únicamente para ELA ( esta clase) : 1 - TWO notebooks (dos cuadernos) 2 - TWO folders (dos carpetas) 3 - Pens/Pencils (plumas y lápices) 4 - Highlighters (resaltadores)

Mrs. Meixsell’s WEBSITE mrsmeixsell 2016. weebly. com/

• Mrs. Meixsell’s email is: cmeixsell@lawrence. k 12. ny. us • Mrs. Brinton’s email is: kbrinton@lawrence. k 12. ny. us • Mrs. Gordon’s email is: DRosenfield@lawrence. k 12. ny. us

Respect This word seems simple, but it is not always easy to remember to carry out. Sometimes people forget to truly understand each other, and that causes issues that make others uncomfortable. This classroom is a place where you will feel safe, respect your teacher(s) and each other. In turn, you will be respected for your opinions and ideas by everyone in this room including your teachers. This makes the classroom a place where we can learn and feel comfortable. We do not tolerate cursing, words of hate or bigotry, anyone being mean or disrespectful/hurtful toward one another. There is no yelling, interrupting, bullying, or cruelty. Treat others as you, yourself, would want to be treated. Do not get up and wander. Do not get up without asking for a teacher’s permission.

Cell Phone Jail • The school policy does not allow cell phone use in any part of the building. • If you have your phone on you, you must relinquish it to the Cell Phone Warden of the Day and they will put it in the Jail. • You will receive your cell phone back at the end of the period. • If you do not give in your phone, and we SEE or HEAR it, we take it, and your PARENT OR GUARDIAN picks it up. • No WARNING!

Grading Policy The way your grade for each quarter is calculated is based on the following school -wide policy: * Tests / Writing Assignments / Essays: 40% * Quizzes: 20% * Class Participation: 20% * Homework: 20%

Class Participation & Homework Even though it seems like “Class Participation” and “Homework” are only 20% each (so, 40%), it is what we like to call “the make or break” grade. For example, if you are not doing as well as you had expected, if you: come to class on time, attend extra help sessions, raise your hand regularly, read aloud in class, are consistently respectful, and are helpful to others, this will raise your grade. If you always show effort by doing your homework, you will be better prepared for class and you will be showing an effort to your teachers that will positively reflect in your grade. Think about it like this: if you don’t do any homework, it’s like taking 10 points off of your quarterly grade. If you have a low participation score, it’s like taking off ANOTHER 5 -10 points. You don’t want that, we don’t want that; so do your homework and show that you care about your grade. *Extra Help is FRIDAY BEFORE SCHOOL

Classroom Environment • DO NOT deface the classroom in any way. This includes: not writing on the desks or ripping down posters or things on the wall. Also, there is no sitting on the window sill, or walking around the room aimlessly. Don’t throw objects into the garbage can (simply leave it on your desk and when you get up, toss it into the can). When you need to get up to go to the rest room, nurse, or to throw something away, simply raise your hand ask your teachers. • Respect each other’s spaces: sit in your assigned seat and your seat only. Do not sit at the teachers’ desks or use the teachers’ computers. Do not touch the MIMIO/SMART/board or television/DVD without either teacher’s permission. When you want to speak, please raise your hand. Also, you may not use electronics of any kind in this classroom; No phones, MP 3’s, i. Pods, Droids, earphones, or anything else of that nature. We are also not fans of hovering. • Also, there is NO EATING or drinking anything in the classroom. This is also a peanut and tree nut-free zone. These are school-wide rules, please respect them. Non-adherence to the rules will result in detention(s).

Tests, Quizzes & Essays For each unit you will have 1 -2 tests and some quizzes. There will also be essays. You will always be told about the tests and essays, but some quizzes may be pop quizzes. Always be prepared! The Test Rules will be in effect during STAR tests, classroom tests, quizzes and essay & journal writing time(s). Test Rules— I count to the number three and then there must be silence unless you are called on by me or another teacher in the room, after raising your hand. For every offence, it is -5 points on your text/quiz/essay/project. The second -5, WILL result in a call home.

Projects • During the year we will have projects that require use of the laptops, computer lab or the library. You will be notified of these projects as they come.

Rewards There will be a reward program where you will be rewarded for class participation & reading. Rewards include “Free Homework” passes, etc.

Vocabulary & Spelling • There will be regular vocabulary & spelling units/tests. Be prepared! You will be notified of the Vocabulary / Spelling Schedule soon.

Books • Please make sure that you treat each book that you receive with care, and return it when we are completed with the unit. • You must bring your reading book & classroom materials to class every day. • You will have a textbook that stays at home for most of the year.

ELA Common Core & Addressing the Standards • We will be working on a lot of ELA State Test Preparation this year. • You will be notified when we will have our practice exams, STAR Benchmarks, and regular assessments that count toward your grade.

Writing Portfolios & Goals On the back of your folder write this This Year’s Goals: This year I will be able to • Find the main ideas in literature • Work on Academic Vocabulary & Spelling • Understand Fact vs. Opinion • Develop paragraphs and essays with mastery • Edit like a champ! Eventuallu, on the front of your folder, under your name, you will write this • My Personal Goal is to: ______________________

Let’s Begin! • Our first unit will be a short story unit in our textbooks. • We will also be taking a lot of notes on Elements of Story. • In a few weeks, we will start our first novel, A Long Walk to Water.