United South Middle School

6th, 7th, 8th Grade

ESL/English Language Arts and Reading Course Syllabus

Ms. Erika Flores

email : eflores@uisd.net

Welcome to 6th, 7th, 8th grade ESL/English Language Arts and Reading class. The UISD curriculum is designed to expose you to many forms of text, reading skills, vocabulary, writing techniques, and grammatical concepts. We will work together to develop your ability to understand texts and think abstractly about what you have read. You will learn to be skilled writers who employ effective written, research, and grammatical techniques while incorporating strong, eloquent language. 

Google Classroom: 

All of our classes will be using Google Classroom as a management system. It will primarily be used for daily classwork, homework, important calendar dates (such as assessments and long-term assignments), and editing of written work between teacher and students. Daily homework assignments will not be posted on this platform. 

READING 

In reading, students use many different workbooks and online programs. Students will be exposed to a variety of written mediums. These include fictional short stories, informational texts, excerpts and complete works of classic literature, poetry, drama, and expository writing. Our reading textbooks will be using UISD clever for Think Up, Measuring Up, Newsela, and novels.

GRAMMAR

Our grammar curriculum, in addition to reviewing and learning mechanics, contains a strong writing component. This enables students to not only gain the skills of analyzing proper grammar in their own writing, but to develop and enhance their writing using a variety of methods and techniques. The following platforms will be covered this year in Grammar: McGraw Hill, StudySync,Think Up ELAR, 

SPELLING & VOCABULARY

In middle school, we will concentrate extensively on students’ knowledge of vocabulary in context, as well as using them properly within written assignments.

WRITTEN EXPRESSION 

Writing assignments will vary; arguments to support claims, informative texts, expository writing, poetry, and written narratives will all be covered in this class. In addition, the use of technology will be applied in order to create, edit, share and present short research reports. 

Classroom Expectations 

1.) Show Respect to All 

• Our class is a family. 

• Eyes should always be on the person speaking. 

• Be mindful of property belonging to others. Do not touch, write, or draw on anything that does not belong to you (books, desks, electronics, boards, bags, teacher materials, etc.). 

•  Use school-appropriate language. Cursing and offensive language are strictly prohibited. 

•  Unless otherwise directed, please raise your hand before sharing answers or insight with the class. 

2) Preparation 

• Pencils and pens should always be brought to class. 

• Your chromebook and charger should always be brought to class, unless directed otherwise.  Any assigned homework should be out on your desk at the start of the period.

 * Missing homework results in -5 points from the homework grade 

•  Students should sit down at the beginning of class and immediately respond to the day’s bell ringer.

3) Participation 

•  Students should actively listen and share their knowledge with the class. If it has to do with our discussion, there is no such thing as a dumb question. Chances are, other students have the same question that you do.

•  Work effectively with classmates and be a team player. 

4) Be Responsible for Yourself 

• If I address you about a rules infraction, take responsibility. Do not place blame on others or attempt lying. 

• Missed assignments are your responsibility. Ask a friend or teacher what you missed. 

•  Review the Student Handbook to better understand the rules of the school. 

Classroom Rules 

1) Electronic devices are only to be used with the permission of the teacher. 

•  Cell phones must be off and put away at all times. Ipods, electronic games, and other electronic devices are not permitted.

 2) Food and Drink 

•  No food or drink whenever a Chromebook or other tech device is in use. 

• Bottles of water are permitted, but may be confiscated if they become a distraction or problem. 

•  No food is permitted in the classroom, unless it is breakfast. 

•  No chewing gum

3) Class Arrival 

•  You are to arrive on time to class unless a note from a teacher is presented. Lateness will result in an infraction. 

4) Cheating 

•  Cheating and plagiarism are entirely unacceptable. This includes sharing/copying individual assignments, or copying/pasting pieces of writing from another person into your work, while not citing your source(s). 

•  If caught cheating in this class or for another class, student will receive a zero on the assignment, communication of the incident will be sent home, and the student will go before the administration. 

System of Discipline 

1. Verbal Warning 

2. Second Verbal Warning and infraction- Demerit

3. Communication sent home- Demerit

4. Referral to administration

Classwork: 

While most in-class assignments will not be formally graded, participation during class is very important. The teacher will be able to assess students on their mastery of concepts. Students must actively work to complete classwork effectively, both individually and in both group and partner settings. 

Homework: 

While assignments are completed in class, should an assignment not be completed, it must be turned in the following day.   For each missed assignment thereafter, five points are taken away from their overall homework grade. Students will not be given an opportunity to make up missed homework assignments. Incomplete, sloppy, or homework completed with little effort will receive partial deduction of points. If a student is repeatedly missing assignments, parent contact will be established. 

Written Assignments: 

Writing projects will be worked on both in and out of school. Students will be given a due date, and 5 points will be subtracted for each day the assignment is late. Because due dates are given well in advance, no excuses, aside from school absence, will be accepted for late work. After five (5) days, the student will receive a failing grade.

Makeup Tests:

 In the case of illness or emergency, students will have as many days as they have missed to make up a quiz or test. Long-term assignments, such as projects or written work, are expected to be turned in upon your return. Vacation or trips will not fall under these guidelines, and in those cases, students will be expected to make up missed assessments upon their return. In rare, extenuating circumstances, the teacher will use their discretion to rule on these situations.