Language Arts Team 7-1 Ms. Selle Room 802 
 
Course Objectives 
Students will demonstrate mastery, on the seventh grade level, in the areas of reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing styles, spelling, grammar, and Standard English conventions.  
 
Textbooks 
• McDougal Littell: Language Network: Grammar, Writing, and Communication 
• Zaner-Bloser, Inc.: Spelling Connections 
• McDougal Littell: The Language of Literature 
• Triumph Learning: Georgia CRCT Coach, GPS Edition, Reading and Language Arts, Grade 7 
• Various other trade books and workbooks 
 
Year Plans (subject to change) 
Spelling, vocabulary, reading, and writing skills will be taught all through the year. 
 
Unit 1 (4 Weeks, 8/2 - 8/31) 
Narrative Texts 
 
Unit 2 (4 Weeks, 9/4 – 9/28) 
Expository Texts/ Research 
 
Unit 3 (4 Weeks, 10/1 – 11/2) 
Persuasive Texts 
 
Unit 4 (6 Weeks, 11/5 – 12/19) 
Technical Writing 
 
Unit 5 (6 Weeks, 1/8 – 2/22) 
Response to Literature/ Author Study 
 
Unit 6 (5 Weeks, 2/25 – 3/20) 
Analyzing and Creating Nonfiction Texts 
 
Unit 7 (3 Weeks, 3/31 – 4/18) 
Standards Review (Preparation for On-Demand Writing situations) 
 
Unit 8 (4 Weeks, 4/21 – 5/23) 
Poetry/ Drama 
 
Grade Scale  
90% - 100% A Tests/ Major Projects 50% 
80% - 89% B Class work/ Homework 25% 
79% - 75% C Quizzes 25% 
74% - 70% D 100% 
Below 70% F  
 
Grades will be updated weekly on the school’s Power Grade system. You can access Power Grade through the system website: walkercountyschools.org 
Class work, assignments, and other information will be available on my Web Blog.  
 
Teacher Contact Information: 
Phone: 706-638- 2802 
Email: amaliaselle@walkerschools.org 
 
Materials 
Bring the following to class every day: 
1. Pencil/ Pen 
2. Notebook with paper 
3. Additional materials may be needed for special project or presentations. I will tell you when these materials are needed. 
 
Rules  
1. Respect all teachers, members, and fellow students 
2. Listen, look, and learn. Pay attention to teachers’ instructions and follow directions 
3. Be in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing 
 
Consequences 
1. Verbal warning 
2. Silent lunch/ lose one stamp 
3. Parent contact/ lose two stamps 
4. Parent contact and after school detention 
5. Office referral 
6. Teacher discretion 
 
Other Policies 
 
1. Bring needed materials to class. There is no excuse for not bringing your folder, paper, and pencil to class. 
 
2. I Will Not Accept Late Work!! Exceptions: death or severe illness in family, major accidents, earthquakes (exceptions are only made with a note from a parent / guardian). 
 
3. Homework 
There is normally no homework assigned with the understanding that any uncompleted classwork is your homework. Unless I tell you otherwise, work is due the next day at the beginning of class. After that time it is late and you will receive a zero. 
 
4. Absence 
It is your responsibility to find out what you missed in class! You must turn in missed work within five school days of the absence. After that time, no work may be made up and you receive a grade of zero.  
 
5. Being Tardy 
• You are tardy if you are not in your seat when the tardy bell ends. 
• More than one unexcused tardy in the space of a week will result in the loss of one stamp.  
• If you are tardy please enter the room quietly and follow normal class procedures.  
 
6. Requests  
1. I only hear hands. Please raise your hand to answer or ask questions. 
2. Wait patiently for my response. 
3. Continue with the rest of your work until you receive help.  
 
7. Talking 
1. Please do not talk when I am talking.  
2. Please do not talk when a fellow student is asking a question or making a comment. 
 
8. Group Work 
• Research has shown that group work helps students understand and retain new material  
• However, when directions are not followed, group work becomes a waste of time. 
• Don’t waste my time and your time. Working in groups will be dependant on class behavior. 
 
9. Leaving the room 
• You must have a pass in your agenda when leaving the room. Agenda pass pages must not be torn out of the agenda. This is a school policy. 
• Do not expect to be allowed out of class to use the restroom. Use your class changes wisely.  
• Return quietly. 
• Continue with your assignment.  
 
10. Having water, candy, gum, and food.  
• Water (H20) is allowed in class ONLY in clear plastic bottles.  
• No one is allowed out of class to refill bottle; think ahead. 
• No gum or food is allowed into the classroom. 
 
11. Dismissal 
• The bell doesn’t dismiss you, I do. 
• I will not dismiss you until all materials have been put away. Please clean up after yourself.  
 
12. Tests  
• You must turn in a test before leaving the room.  
• If you must leave the room, you must turn in the test.  
• It will be graded as you have turned it in.  
• YOU must inform me if you know that you will be leaving school. We will then discuss when you will take the make-up test  
 
13. Quizzes 
1. Quizzes may be given at any time of the class week or class day 
2. Quizzes may consist of the following:  
• Class work assignments  
• Homework assignments.  
• Random notebook and book checks 
• End of class quizzes  
 
14. I do not assign textbooks. However, you will be able to check a book out from me overnight. Books checked out overnight must be returned during homeroom the next day.