Clustered with 7th grade American History, these junior high school literature and composition courses will engage students in novels, short stories, plays, and poems of literary merit (a.k.a. classic literature). Assignments are designed to develop your independent reading, writing, and analytical skills. The literature class will focus on analyzing the basic elements of a story: plot, character, conflict, point of view, setting, theme, and purpose. You will be asked to read critically and to communicate your opinion and ideas about the texts both orally and in written form. Composition class will focus primarily on basic writing skills, including narration, summary, description, and the expository essay, as well as incorporating and documenting evidence.
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Materials
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GradingGrading will follow the standard grading scale as laid out by Dominion Academy. Your grade breakdown is weighted as follows:
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Reading Selections & Areas of StudyThe composition curriculum is primarily centered around Susan Wise Bauer's Writing with Skill curriculum, although we will skip around a bit.
Extra Credit OpportunitiesThroughout the year you will have opportunities to bring up your grade. If you choose a book, play, or film from the extra credit list, you must have your parents’ permission before reading/viewing it. There are also opportunities for bonus points each week through your Question of the Week response (see the Q.W. assignment handout). Extra credit will count toward BOTH classes (literature and composition). However, I will not accept extra credit if you have any missing assignments, so make sure you complete those first.
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Activities & Projects
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Late WorkWHAT IS LATE WORK?
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Absences
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Formatting
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Second ChancesI strongly encourage my students to come see me about redoing assignments, including tests and quizzes. Under most circumstances, you are welcome to redo an assignment or redo a test to bring up your grade provided you turn in the original along with your redo. However, this is something YOU must pursue with me, not your parents or another person. In general, I will average your original grade with the new grade.
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Life happens!Please understand that these expectations come from an honest desire to challenge you and prepare you for life beyond school. I want you to succeed in this class, but I cannot help you improve if you are not willing to put forth the effort. Over the course of the year, life will happen. You may become ill, a personal matter may arise, or you may have a pressing commitment that merits a break. Trust that I will help you find a way to keep up with your work. Trust that I will welcome open and immediate communication from you. However, I must caution you that consistent drama will try anyone’s patience. Don’t abuse my good graces and faith in your commitment to the class. Favors and breaks are earned out of generating simple respect through your prompt communication and your honest, consistent efforts in class. Show that respect by bringing your best to class every week.
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