Syllabus
Welcome to Effective Reading
Welcome back to school! I look forward to providing instruction, direction, and support as you work your way through the middle school years.
In an effort to provide you with consistent support throughout the year I have put together some basic information that will help you succeed. While certain classroom specific rules may need to be altered during the year to fit changing needs, the overall expectations of what I believe 6th, 7th, and 8th graders should be doing will remain the same. Therefore, let us get to it.
ATTENDANCE
- Regular class attendance is expected. You are responsible for asking me to provide any missed class work or homework assignments. Please do not ask during class time; I am usually available before or after school, at lunch, and by phone, e-mail and IM (through Mr. Lane’s Blog).
- Prompt arrival to class will ensure you are ready to work when the bell rings. If you walk in as the bell rings, you are tardy. The first tardy will result in a friendly reminder that you are to be in class on time; any additional tardies will initiate the school’s late policy.
- It is expected that you will remain in your seat, unless given permission to be out of it, until you are dismissed (regardless of when the bell rings).
FOOD AND DRINK
- Food will be consumed outside of the classroom (unless you have a medical reason verified by a doctor). Any opened containers, bags, etc. will be confiscated and thrown out. If you are hungry, eat before school, between classes, during lunch or after school.
- Water is permissible as long as it is in a plastic screw-top container which is secured at all times. If there are problems with spillage, water privileges will be suspended.
BATHROOM USE
- It is your responsibility to plan ahead and use your breaks (between classes, during lunch, before or after school) for the bathroom. Should you need to use the bathroom during class you will need to buy a pass ($5 of Mitchell Money). I recommend that you PLAN AHEAD!!!
INSTRUCTION
Effective Reading is a course for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders relating to the development of reading skills. The goal of this course is to accelerate student learning so that students will achieve the ability to read at grade level or make significant strides toward that objective. A specific emphasis is placed on enhancing decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills.
During the year, the class will spend time on phonics, fluency practice (aimed at increasing accuracy and speed), and decoding approaches. The major focus, however, is on finding main ideas, reading for key facts, making inferences, and improving study skills. Practice is also offered using Greek and Latin word roots, in an effort to improve vocabulary skills.
This year I will be asking students to read at least 15-20 minutes each day at home. This can be done using a book, magazine, or newspaper of their choice. Students should report how many pages of reading and how much time they spent reading on the Accelerated Reader Student Reading Log (they should log whatever material they read – even if it is not an A/R book). I will periodically collect the logs to ensure that students are reading on their own.
Other homework may be assigned from time to time so students can practice reading skills. Assignments are to be completed before class starts on the day they are due.
ACADEMIC GRADING POLICY
I firmly believe that class work, homework, and quizzes/tests are the building blocks that lead to the final result – improved reading ability. However, while the building blocks are important, it is more important that the final result shows your progress. As a result , all assignments (class work, homework, quizzes/tests, etc.) will be worth four (4) points each. Additionally, how they effect your grade will not be the same. Here is the breakdown:
AR Quizzes 10 %
Homework 10%
Class work 10%
Quizzes/tests 25%
Class Participation/effort 40%
Total 100%
I also believe that you have a right to assist in grading your own work. For this reason, you have been provided an Effective Reading Class Participation/Effort Rubric. This rubric outlines exactly what is expected of you on a daily basis while in class. In addition, I have supplied an Accelerated Reader Quiz Rubric which details what needs to be done to earn maximum scores in this area. All other assignments and quizzes/tests will be graded using the Effective Reading Rubric Scale. This has also been attached for your review.
Regardless of which rubric is used, all rubrics can be viewed in this manner:
4 …………advanced (A)
3………….proficient (B)
2………….approaching (C)
1………….beginning (D)
… doing nothing (or close to it) results in a 0 (F).
PLEASE NOTE – PLEASE NOTE- PLEASE NOTE- PLEASE NOTE
In the event you are absent from school, in compliance with the district’s policy, you will be given two (2) days for each day of absence to make up the work. Unless you are absent, LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! NO EXCEPTIONS!
CONDUCT GRADING SYSTEM
Citizenship marks will be based on a student assuming responsibility for their own behavior, respecting both the people and property around them, and following all of the rules and regulations of the school and classroom. The marks will be determined in the following manner:
O = demonstrates outstanding attitudes and/or behavior toward class, subject, teachers and fellow students
S = demonstrates acceptable sttitudes and/or behavior toward class, subject, teachers, and fellow students
N = needs improvement
U = attitudes and/or behavior seriously interferes with classroom instruction
MATERIALS
In order to be successful I recommend you came prepared to class everyday. Please bring with you a student ID, planner, pen and/or pencil, Accelerated Reader Student Reading log, and Accelerated Reader book. Please note, neither sharpies nor gel pens, are acceptable forms of writing instruments.
I would also like to ask that a box of tissue be donated for class use.
EXPECTATIONS
- Students will put forth their best effort at all times.
- Studebts will come prepared.
- Students will be in their assigned seat when the bell rings.
- Students will be respectful of each other, teachers, administrators, all school staff and all school property at all times.
DISCIPLINE
As I recognize that each of us are unique individuals and have our own unique needs, the discipline policy within this classroom will be fluid and will be handled on a case-by-case, student-by-student basis – not all issues will be dealt with in the same manner. I will work with each of you to find a way that brings about the desired result for you the best: this may be through a call home or e-mail home, a time-out in another room for reflection, the partial loss of lunch, an after school detention, a Saturday School assignment, or, as needed, a full-day class suspension.
However, there are those times that the unwanted behaviors are more severe and warrant direct administrative attention. At that time, administration will determine the appropriate consequences.
STUDENT/PARENT/TEACHER CORRESPONDENCE
I am receptive to all forms of comminication from students and parents (notes, e-mail, IM, and/or voicemail) however as I am teaching out of more than one classroom this year e-mail is the best mode of communication to ensure that I am in touch with you in a timely manner. My goal is to return all contacts within 24 hours of receipt.
To assist in the communication between home and school Mitchell Middle School will again be using Edline so that you may keep track of future events and grades. For specific information regarding upcoming or missed assignments, or to review this policy at any time, please follow the link on Edline to Mr. Lane’s Effective Reading Blog. More information on Edline can be obtained by contacting the Counseling Office.
To assist you in this class and all of your classes, I am available to meet with you on Monday from 3:35-4:20 pm and through the Meebo IM feature found on Mr. Lane’s Blog on Monday evenings from 7:30-8:30 pm.
I think that does it for now! If there are any questions, please let me know and I will be more than happy to clarify.
Here is to a great year!!!
Sincerely,
Mr. Peter Lane
