This is the 20 page written contract given to 12 year old intellectually gifted DYSLEXIC child, to sign for just one of his classes, for one quarter, in his PUBLIC school, by a teacher who has ignored his IEP for the first quarter. Note: The tutoring referred to is solely for make-up workpackets and test retakes. The differentiation is in output and grades only, not instruction. Advanced/Gifted Seventh Grade Language Arts Learning Contract In order to meet the academic requirements for Advanced/Gifted Language Arts for the Quarter 2, all students must complete a learning contract. This is a crucial part of an individualized and differentiated classroom learning environment. Students will receive in class instruction on all “standard” learning requirements as well as in class “CENTER” opportunities to complete “advanced” work. The following due dates and assignments are the MINIMUM*** requirements for passing this course. Additionally, students will have activity choices built around every learning standard; students will decide how much enrichment they desire beyond basic mastery of standards to achieve superior grades. PLEASE NOTE: Overall work quality and ethic does affect final grades. Students are NOT graded for “completion,” but their best finished product. Daily Reading Practice: (REQUIRED) Students must practice reading 20 to 30 minutes EVERY DAY. They must show evidence toward their reading goals with their reading logs. All students must read between 1,200 to 1,500 minutes by the end of the Quarter 2. There are two check points with a minimum of 600 minutes due each time. Students choose their own books and must maintain their own reading minute logs. The logs are split into 2 charts with ten minute blocks; one sheet of “blocks” totals 250 reading points. Students must DATE and COLOR the amount of time spent per reading session. This is a general classwork grade, and there are no makeups allowed. OPTIONAL for Science Fair Participants only: The SPMS Science Fair is scheduled for the first week of December. All research and writing time spent on SPMS Science Fair to include after school help sessions may count toward daily reading practice time. However, it is the responsibility of the student to log the time as it is completed, or it does not count. No exceptions. Written Reading Reflections: (REQUIRED) 200 points total are required by the end of the quarter. There are two checkpoints of 100 points each. Students choose their method of reading reflection; some methods of reading reflection are minimum requirements; therefore, students must complete minimum requirements before completing enrichment points. Students combine several different styles of reflection to earn their total reflection points. There is no “makeup” for reading reflections to include forgotten or messy reflections as this is general classwork grade. Reflection points are earned in the following ways: REQUIRED: Reading Reflection Notes: 35 Minimum per checkpoint! 70 Total for the quarter! Students may use post-its, notecards, typed reflections, the bookmark response questions, or Cornell style notes. Reading reflections are worth 1 point each. At each “100 point” checkpoint, students must show no less than 35 short reflections. At each checkpoint, students may complete up to 70 reading reflections for additional points. See Reading Response Grading Rubric for more details concerning how the reading reflections are graded. Bibliography Entries: ONE BOOK IS REQUIRED AT EACH CHECKPOINT. On a separate piece of white paper, in Standard for Written Work, students must submit the necessary bibliography information (MLA style to include alphabetical order by author’s last name) for every book they read (REQUIRED). Each entry is worth 15 points. Students can complete annotated bibliography entries for 30 points each (OPTIONAL). READING ENRICHMENT (OPTIONAL): Book Extension Activities: Students must complete reading notes and bibliography before trying reading enrichment. However, book extension activities are a great way to demonstrate superior knowledge in reading! They are worth 35 points each. Share a multi-media presentation based on the book such as a movie trailer. Trailer must be at least two minutes long. Create a four page newspaper based on the book which includes creative, interesting articles on the characters, setting, plot, mood, and theme. For instance, setting could be expressed in “weather reports” or “houses for sale.” Other ideas from the book could appear in feature articles, ads, pictures, and cartoons. 500 words minimum. Write a movie screen play from the book. Act out scenes with your classmates for additional credit. Props are strongly encouraged. Skits should be about five minutes long or at least 500 words. Write a 400 word minimum chapter sequel or prequel to the book. Create a comic book based on the book. The comic strip must contain at least 20 frames; each frame must contain text, a minimum of 300 words. Write 10 journal entries as one of the characters from the book. The content of the journal entries may contain events that happened before, during, or after the book. It must show creative, reflective insight into the character. 500 words minimum. Choose 10 quotations from the book and use them make an artistic response ( i.e. painting, sculpture, wood working, diorama, etc.). With the art, please include a short written reflection about these quotes and why they are important to you. 300 words minimum. Create a soundtrack for the book and burn it to a CD. Choose at least 10 songs that reflect the characters, themes, plot, conflict, setting, etc. Make an attractive cover which includes elements from the story. Inside the CD cover, write a rationale for each song explaining why it is included on the CD. 300 words minimum. Take your character and/or story “home” and/ or on an “adventure” with you. Make a “luggage/memory” box or “scrapbook” from the book. Think about what you would need to pack. Some items might be “symbolic.” Create and/or gather together those items. Include at least a 500 word minimum explanation of your choices. CORE TEXT FROM QUARTER 2 SEVENTH GRADE ELA CURRICULUM MAP (REQUIRED) Read Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Pass Reading Benchmark Tests with 75% or higher. Complete Classroom Assignments and Vocabulary Activities with 75% or higher. The core text for Quarter 2 is Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. All seventh grade students will have opportunities to read and interact with this story in and out of class using a variety of multi-modal forms. It is recommended that students purchase the book and/or download/print out the text at this Project Gutenburg Christmas Carol link: Additionally, students will complete short research reports, reading benchmark tests, and vocabulary activities based on this core text which will count toward their summative grades. Students will need to use in and out of class time wisely to complete classroom assignments and vocabulary activities. They may devote center time to this purpose. However, the purpose of reading benchmark tests is for students to demonstrate mastery of “reading skills, strategies, and applications.” Some of these tests will be announced and some will be unannounced as students cannot “study” for these types of assessments. Students who struggle and do not reach 75% mastery of reading standards may attend Friday tutoring/grade recovery from 2 to 3 pm. Daily Writing Practice Every quarter students must show mastery in a variety of academic writing forms. This quarter students will continue to develop own short self-chosen pieces as well as experiment with different academic forms such research, essay, and bibliography. Student must write daily in their writer’s notebooks, dating and reflecting on their progress. Students must participate in the share center, to include the sharing of their own work as well as the offering of appropriate responses to the work of others. For required writing assignments, more specific rubrics and guidelines are posted in EDMODO after the instructor covers the introductory material in class. Also, it is crucial that students are prepared for “CENTER” writing workshop days to include thumb drives and email addresses. Three laptops are available in the classroom writing center as well as students may use their own personal computers if they completed an AUP form in the beginning of the school year. Required Writing Assignments Best 300 Words: This counts as two tests. In their Best 300 Words, students must exhibit their knowledge, understanding, and mastery of important writing concepts taught in class. Students must submit BOTH an initial draft and final, revised draft (if student is not in 90-100 mastery range) by due dates. After first due date, the instructor returns the initial draft with a projected grade and conferences with individual students within two weeks of initial submission. Students are expected to revise, edit, and submit a final draft by the last week of the quarter. More specific rubric to follow. Additionally, students will complete these additional required writing assignments. More details to follow in classroom instruction. See due dates on calendar and EDMODO. Students participating in Science Fair will have the option to swap out science fair research and materials with ELA research and materials. Annotated Bibliography Research Essay plus Bibliography November 2013 Please refer to standards at the end of this document to further understand the concepts students are expected to master. December 2013 Please read carefully the following guidelines concerning grading and academic success in an advanced classroom. GRADING: Grades are calculated in the following way: 80% for tests, 20% for classwork and homework. All work is graded on a 1-4 rubric scale and then converted to a number percentage on a 60-100 scale. All final draft writing counts as “tests.” Please see EDMODO for upcoming due dates (click on the small blue calendar button on right or change screen to teacher posts only). GRADE RECOVERY/MAKEUPS: Late work is highly discouraged, and LATE HOMEWORK in reading, writing, and vocabulary practice is NEVER accepted. Absent students should make up missing work within two school days of returning to school. The instructor deducts ten points for each day a summative assignment is late. After five late days and/or two consecutive Friday after school tutoring sessions, students will receive a failing grade of 50 and may not longer make up the assignment. Tutoring sessions occur most Fridays from 2-3 pm. Please contact instructor ahead of time for confirmation. Missing assignments cannot be made up during the last week of the quarter! Grade recovery is for students who score below 75%, but sometimes the instructor will provide students opportunities to demonstrate higher mastery in some areas. Technology issues are not an acceptable excuse for not completing and/or turning work in on time, even if the parent or student sends a note, attachment, or e-mail. Students have access to computers and printers in the classroom and library after school. They also can make arrangements with me to use the computer lab after school and during Friday tutoring. Students should use EDMODO as much as possible. I will deduct 10 points for each day a paper is late due to technology issues. It is helpful if students have their own e-mails and/or thumb drives to save work completed at school. ACADEMIC SUCCESS: Please review the following issues as they are the most common reasons students suffer from poor academic achievement and failing grades in my language arts classroom. These suggestions will help you: Students must write name and proper heading on paper in order to receive credit for work. A paper without a proper heading is an automatic 50%. Students must create a solid, personalized organizational system for completing, storing, and handing in papers. Please use your classroom mailbox and EDMODO. Look around before you depart. Do not leave papers on the desk/floor of the classroom. Please pay attention to directions and write down EVERYTHING in planner and notebook. Ask questions when you do not understand. Always take classroom notes even if the assignment seemed “easy” or “boring” to you. Complete all assignments. Take pride in your work. Follow the SPMS Standard for Written Work. Sometimes, students complete assignments but forget to turn them in. Always double check that you really did indeed turn in your paper. Review rubric requirements over and over again, before, during, and after the completion of a paper! Take papers through the entire writing process, not just the first and/or rough draft. Do not wait until the last minute so you do not have time to revise/edit with your instructor and peers. Conference with your instructor regularly for understanding and work “checks.” Participate in share center and take advantage of “status of the class” checks. Make up work after an absence. Avoid PROCRASTINATION. Attend Friday tutoring whenever you feel you need extra help. I, _______________________________________________, have read the learning contract requirements with my instructor and parents. I understand the requirements for Grade 7 Advanced/Gifted Language Arts. I acknowledge that my advanced curriculum requires me to achieve mastery BEYOND the standard learning goals. I am committed to reaching my reading and writing goals. I will track my due dates independently. I will maintain a solid work ethic and good organizational systems. I will receive tutoring and/or attempt grade recovery when my instructor feels I am not adhering to the necessary standards to include missing, failing, or poor quality work. ______________________________________________________________________________ Student Signature Parent Signature Best contact method, day, and time to reach parents concerning school work: ______________________________________________________________________________ This is my total reading minute goal for Quarter 2: I will demonstrate 200 points of reading reflection by doing the following: Reading Reflection: 35 points per checkpoint/70 points minimum/140 maximum per quarter. What type? Bibliography: 15 points each checkpoint, 30 points total. Annotated Bibliography Book Extension Activity Which one? What is the working title of your 300 Best Words? Are you participating in Science Fair? *************The return of this form is mandatory and counts a general grade. Annotated Bibliography Grading Rubric 2/C: If your bibliography meets all of these requirements, you will earn a grade of 2: ( ) You used a minimum of three different genres. ( ) You followed MLA guidelines taught in class to include documentation, alphabetical order, punctuation, and out dent. ( ) Your annotations follow the model practiced in class as well sufficiently and succinctly discuss genre, main idea, author background/biases, tone, point of view, theme, audience, and purpose. ( ) Your annotations are mostly free of grammatical, spelling, sentence structure, and stylistic errors. 3/B: If your bibliography meets all the standards above for a C, and you achieve these additional standards, you will earn a 3: ( ) You used a minimum of four different genres. ( ) You addressed the above assignment requirements thoughtfully and completely. ( ) You clearly explain why each genre example is unique and interesting. ( ) The summary sentences in the annotation follow the model practiced in class (genre, main idea, author background, biases, tone, point of view, theme, audience, and purpose). You also include mention of specific relevant textual examples, citations, and features. ( ) MLA errors, if present, are isolated and very minor. 4/A: If your bibliography meets all the standards above for a B and C, and you achieve these additional standards, you will earn a 4: ( ) You used at least five different genres. ( ) You demonstrate the attributes of superior writing, such as detailed textual example/citation explanations. ( ) You include especially complex and original thought. You have a compelling writer’s voice. ( ) Your MLA formatting is flawless. Research Name Teacher Name/Period Date Switzerland Point Middle School Standards for ALL Written Work 1. Name, Teacher/Period and Date at the top right. 2. Title of the assignment on the first line. Underline the title if your teacher directs you to do so. 3. Indent the first line of every paragraph five spaces or one “tab.” Do not write in the left margin. 4. If paper is typed, size 12 font.If paper is hand-written, you must use blue or black ink. 5. All final graded papers are on white paper only. For classwork and homework, use standard notebook paper, not paper taken out of spiral notebooks with jagged edges. 6. All papers must be neat, clean, and legible.Do not fold or crumple papers. Do not scribble over mistakes. 7. Always write in complete sentences using proper grammar, punctuation, and correct spelling. When answering a short response, restate the question within your answer. 8. Consider all graded written assignments as formal writing, which avoids the use of slang and “TXT” language. 9. Take pride in the appearance, quality, and content of all written work
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 03:47:39 +0000
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