Course Syllabus

ENGLISH 7/8
2024-2025 

COURSE DESCRIPTION 

Students will read a robust variety of texts, including fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry, designed to improve their ability to analyze ideas, details, craft, and structure. Over the course of the year, students will become comfortable with complex texts and increase their reading levels. 

Students will study and practice various writing techniques, including summaries, argumentative and informative essays, narratives, and poems. Students will develop and strengthen their writing skills, learn how to research information, complete research-based projects, and present their knowledge to classmates. 

Speaking and listening are essential life skills. Students will collaborate with others, discuss and analyze different ideas, and present their thoughts. Extensive practice in reading, writing, speaking, and listening will promote effective communication and enhance the ability to express comprehension, analysis, and thought process. 

All assignments, activities, and assessments follow the DESK Standards for English. 

CONTACT INFORMATION 

Mrs. Cluff 
rcluff@dsdmail.net 
Room 208 
📲 Available by appointment in-person, via video conference, or phone call. 

REQUIRED MATERIALS 

• A binder with a folder for English 

• Loose leaf paper 

• Pencils and/or pens 

• Colored Pencils 

• An independent reading book  

• Your computer, charged and ready for use 

WE WILL BE READING 

• Short stories, articles, and poems from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Collections textbook 

• Texts from Newsela, CommonLit, and/or other reputable online sources* 

• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens 

• Other district approved books/novels 
  *Links to resources have not been vetted beyond the original page cited. 

🎥 Film and audio versions of these resources may be used in classroom instruction. 

📚 We will do independent reading in class most days. Students are asked to bring a book of their choice. If a student does not have a book, there are books available in my classroom library. Please communicate with your student about what they're reading and what your standards as a family are.  

🍱 While I have worked hard to vet all material used in class, alternative texts can be made available if parents or guardians object to required course content. Please email me as soon as possible if your student will need this accommodation. 

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS 

• Listen and follow directions. 

• Raise your hand before speaking or leaving your seat. 

• Keep your hands, feet, and belongings to yourself.  

• Personal devices (cell phones, tablets, handheld games, etc.) should be silenced and contained in your binder or pockets. 

• Respect yourself, your classmates, and your teacher. 

 

LATE/MISSING WORK 

It is the student's responsibility to stay caught up on work, whether that be from school or home. Please communicate with me if you are sick or unable to come to school. All required work will be available on Canvas. Please note that daily assignments build on previous assignments, culminating in a project or assessment. It is important that you do your best to turn in assignments on time so that you can stay caught up and receive valuable feedback. 

ABSENCES AND ONLINE LEARNING 

Students are responsible for class work they have missed and need to make up. Canvas will be a great tool to keep up or catch up on work missed during an absences. Students may come in before school, after school, or during Spartan Academy for help. In case of illness or school closure, we will continue with our education via Canvas. Students are expected to promptly email the teacher when absent or when they have questions or concerns. 

PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING 

Please uphold a high standard of academic integrity and do your own work. Cheating, copying, and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is using someone else's words or ideas and passing them off as your own. It can also be reusing your own work from a previous class and passing it off as new work. You will often be asked to work independently (especially in the case of remote learning), and while we encourage you to use the web for study and research, your writing should reflect your own unique thinking and analysis. 

This includes the use of Artificial Intelligence. Any work produced—even in part—by artificial intelligence tools is not considered your own. While students can use AI tools ethically and effectively, they must be used in a way that aligns with the principles of academic integrity. Students must identify any AI-generated material used. The software must be credited in the body of the text and appropriately referenced in the bibliography. Failure to do so is plagiarism. Even when AI is appropriately cited, work that relies predominantly on sources or quotes will not receive credit toward competency.  

CITIZENSHIP 

Cooperation, participation, being punctual, turning work in a timely manner, and following rules will determine your citizenship grade. Failure to follow classroom rules and do work on time will result in a lower citizenship grade. Parents will be notified if students have an N or a U.  

H = No tardies, exemplifies respect, contributes to positive classroom culture, no late or missing assignments 
G = 1 tardy, <3 late or missing assignments 
S = 2 tardies, minor class disruptions, >3 late or missing assignments 
N = 3 tardies, disruptive, >5 late or missing assignments 
U = 4 or more tardies, truancy, cheating, major disruption(s), >10 late or missing assignments 

GRADING 

Grades will be based on student mastery of the Davis Essential Skills & Knowledge standards for English 7. 

Most scored assignments will be graded as follows: 

LETTER GRADE	SBG RUBRIC SCORE	CANVAS POINTS EQUIVALENT
A	4	4
A-	3.7	3.68
B+	3.3	3.56
B	3.0	3.44
B-	2.7	3.28
C+	2.3	3.16
C	2.0	3.04
C-	1.7	2.88
D+	1.3	2.76
D	1.0	2.64
D-	0.7	2.48
F	0	0

Overall message: Do your work when it is assigned and re-do anything that does not meet your personal standard of excellence.Incomplete and missing work can impact both your academic grade and your citizenship grade until it is completed. Once it is turned in, the academic grade will no longer be affected by a late, missing, or incomplete mark–only the citizenship grade will be affected. Notice that it is possible to have a good academic grade and a poor citizenship grade or vice versa. 

ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT 

All students are welcome. Every effort will be made to meet specifications of 504 and IEP plans. Students who anticipate needing accommodations or who feel their needs are not being met, please reach out via phone or email as soon as possible.   

DONATIONS APPRECIATED! 

If you would like to donate supplies to the classroom, we are always in need of the following: 

• Clorox wipes 

• Hand sanitizer 

• Tissues 

• Paper towels 

• Looseleaf notebook paper 

• Pencils 

• Colored pencils 

• Post-It notes 

• Index cards 

Or check out my classroom wishlist on Amazon.