Mr. Bergeron's Seventh Grade Course Outline & Expectations 2011-2012
Dear Parents and Students:
Welcome to the 7th grade and to what I hope will be an exciting year in Life Science, Literature, Religion and Social Studies. Throughout the year, we will be studying literature, language mechanics, an assortment of writing styles, public speaking, working on listening skills and creative thinking. My ultimate goal is for my students to succeed in all content areas and to find their passion for learning.
The purpose of this syllabus is to help answer commonly asked questions and to take a brief glance at the areas we will be studying this school year.
Basic Information: Email: [email protected] School Website: Under construction. Available Office Hours: 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Please feel free to contact me should you need to schedule a meeting outside of my normal office hours.
Conferences: Please make note of these dates on your home calendars and plan to attend the parent-teacher conferences scheduled this year.
First Quarter – October 9 - 10
Second Trimester – March 5- 6
Homework Folders: Weekly papers, handouts and school news will be sent home in the homework folders when necessary. What Will My Student Learn?
All areas of learning are based on the California State Content Standards. Here is a brief summary:
Language Arts: including spelling, vocabulary and language mechanics. We will be using Prentice Hall’s Everyday Spelling and McDougal Littell’s Language Network to help students understand why language is important and teaches them how to use it effectively. We will cover a wide variety of topics including, but not limited to: the sentence and its parts, nouns, pronouns, verbs, capitalization and punctuation.
Literature: includes reading, writing, listening and speaking. We will be reading and discussing a wide variety of quality fiction and nonfiction literature in the form of novels, short stories, and poetry. Our goal is to have students become successful, motivated and confident readers and writers.
Life Science: The science program in seventh grade stresses various aspects of life, earth, physical and chemical science. Glencoe Science allows students to discover science concepts through inquiry and to apply the knowledge they’ve learned to their own lives. We will be covering topics that include animal & plant cells, plate tectonics, ecology and matter.
Religion: In the seventh grade we will be focusing on Jesus’ life, His teachings and the sacraments He instituted. We will discuss Jesus’ call to each person to become His disciple and the ways in which His teachings, His sacraments and His Church nourish people. Through We Live Our Faith: As Disciples of Jesus, I hope to deepen the students relationship with God.
How Will My Student Be Graded?
Grades will be based upon daily assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, reports and class work. All grades will be based on a point system and/or a percentage system. Notes and/or phone calls concerning academics will be used if any issues present themselves.
Please note participation is based on the following: contributing to class discussions, listening quietly and respectfully while others are speaking, being prepared with the required materials, cooperation when working in small groups and following class rules.
Grading Scale:
A - 100% - 93% B+ - 92% - 90% B - 89% - 87% B- - 86% - 84% C+ - 83% - 80% C - 79% - 75% C- - 74% - 70% D - 69% - 65% F - 64% or below What Kind of Homework Will There Be? Daily homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday. Every night students will be required to read 30 minutes and fill out a reading log, to practice vocabulary and to complete one spelling activity. We will also be writing formal essays, short stories, poetry and working in our journals. Additional homework will be assigned as needed.
A special time and place set aside for homework each evening is helpful for most children.
Homework Logs: Each day, students are required to copy down their assignments from the blackboard onto their homework log. Please check student homework logs nightly. This is our main form of communication with you. Ask your child if all of his/her assignments are recorded and completed. Please sign at the end of the two-week period. How Does My Student Make Up Missing or Incomplete Work? Homework is due the following day unless specified otherwise. If for some unforeseen reason that work cannot be done, a parent note will be needed. The child will be given one more day to turn it in.
Make-up Policy: It is the responsibility of the student to obtain make-up assignments from each teacher. Make-up work is to be completed at the time specified by the teacher, which is one day of make-up work per day of absence. What Are My Students’ Responsibilities? Teacher Expectations:
Students should maintain outstanding attendance throughout the school year
Students should demonstrate positive behavior and work habits in and out of school. Refer to Classroom Guidelines.
Students should be prepared with learning materials (binder, dividers, pencils, colored pencils, red pen, pencil box, homework log and other subject related materials) and ready to learn every day.
Class work and homework must be completed neatly and turned in on time every day.
Teamwork between teacher and parent and student is the key to success in 7th grade. Materials for extra help at home will be provided upon request.
School Guidelines:
Control: Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
Listen: Follow directions from any teacher the first time.
Learning: Promote a positive learning environment.
Language: Refrain from using profane or vulgar words or actions.
Respect: Be respectful of yourself and others at all times.
Uniform: Maintain proper uniform.
Classroom Guidelines:
Follow directions the first time they are given.
Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.
Stay in your seat unless you have permission to do otherwise.
Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.
Be respectful of your teacher, classmates and classroom.
What are the Consequences and Rewards for My Students’ Behavior?Consequences:
Each student begins the week with fifty (50) points. Points are deducted each time the classroom or school rules have not been observed. A detention will result when a total of 10 points has been deducted within a week.
Rewards: I will support appropriate behavior with verbal recognition, personal and classroom rewards.
Daily – Students receive “classroom money” (Mr. B’s Bucks) for participation, good behavior and being on task.
Monthly – Students can use classroom money to purchase items at Mr. Bergeron’s School Store.
What Can We Expect From Our Teacher?
Establishing and communicating short term and long-term goals aligned with the California State Content Standards.
Providing clear instructions and demonstrations during the introduction of each new concept and/or lesson.
Introducing a variety of challenging activities and projects.
Encouragement and guidance in evaluating your own weaknesses and strengths.
A clear grading policy and frequent formal and informal progress reports.
Respect for your input, ideas and interests.
In closing, I look forward to a positive partnership with you throughout this school year. Please continue to keep the lines of communication open. I am always available to answer any questions and hear any comments, concerns and specials needs regarding your child. Thank you for choosing to come to St. Anthony’s Elementary School. It is my hope that by the end of this school year, we will have experienced a wonderful journey of learning together and that you develop an inner passion of being a life-long learner.