Mrs.
Rosenbaums Class Braden River Middle School
PLEASE KEEP THIS SYLLABUS IN YOUR FOLDER AT ALL TIMES!
ADVANCED/STEAM LANGUAGE ARTS
Literature is no ones private ground, literature is common ground; let us trespass freely and fearlessly and find our own way
Class Rules
1. Follow directions
quickly.
2. Raise your hand
for permission to
speak.
3. Raise your hand
for permission to
leave your seat.
4. Make smart
choices.
5. Keep your dear
teacher HAPPY.
Class Expectations
1.Be in seat when tardy bell
rings.
2.Put proper heading on all
papers.
3.Do not use electronic
devices in class without
teacher permission.
4.Use restroom during passing
breaks.
5.Maintain a clean and orderly
work area.
6.Bring all of your supplies to
class daily.
7.Complete all of your work
and turn it in on time.
8.All SJLA rules and policies
shall be observed within the
classroom.
2017-2018 School Year
for ourselves.
- Virginia Woolf
Course Description
Welcome to 7th grade Advanced/STEAM Language Arts!
Our focus this school year will be learning and developing our skills as
critical thinkers, readers, writers, speakers, and listeners. The
development and mastery of these important literary skills not only is
important to achieving success in the Language Arts classroom, it is a
critical component of achieving success in other school subjects, building
strong relationships with others, and attaining a satisfying career as an
adult. The quality of life you experience now thorough adulthood will
depend a lot on how well you read, write, and communicate with others.
What do I get if I follow class rules?
Your appropriate behavior in class assures everyone of an environment
conducive to learning. Possible rewards for continuous appropriate
behavior are satisfaction of learning, improved skills, verbal praise,
positive note to parents, and high conduct marks on your report card.
What are the consequences if I dont follow class rules?
1. Class Warning: I will provide a verbal reprimand/reminder to all
students.
2. Individual Warning: If the undesirable behavior continues, I will direct
my reprimand/reminder specifically at you. I will do my best to be
discreet; however, this will depend on the disruptiveness of your actions.
3. Demerits: a mark recorded in your agenda for poor conduct. Parent
may be contacted.
4. Low Conduct Marks: Many special activities at BRMS are dependent
upon you maintaining a 1 or 2 on your conduct grade. This includes
continued inclusion on the STEAM Team. High honors are reserved for
students who maintain 1s consistently. If your behavior or attitude merit
repeated correction, you will get the conduct mark that you earn.
Where do I go to find agendas and assignments?
You will receive a free agenda at the beginning of the year which you
must have with you at all times. This is where you will keep track of
your assignments, due dates, discipline cards, hall/restroom passes,
and important classmate contact information.
Our class website is rosenbaumlanguagearts.weebly.com. This site
will house the weekly assignments and due dates, PDF copies of
class handouts, and important announcements.
There is an area on the whiteboard where our daily assignments are
summed up. It is your responsibility to keep up with these assignments
by writing them in your agenda daily. Any paper handouts can be
found in the weekly assignment folders.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP TRACK OF ASSIGNMENT
DUE DATES, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON YOU ARE ABSENT.
 Mrs. Rosenbaums Class Braden River Middle School 2016-2017 School Year

Grade Scale What happens if I turn in an assignment late?

A+ = 100% A = 94% - 99% Work not completed and turned in by the assigned date is considered
A- = 90% - 93% B+ = 87% - 89% late. If a student is absent on the date work is due, the assignment is
due the first day the student returns to school. See me for absences
B = 84% - 86% B- = 80% - 83%
longer than one day.
C+ = 77% - 79% C = 74% - 76% COMPLETED LATE WORK will incur a 5-point penalty if it is turned in
C- = 70% - 73% D = 64% - 69% the day after the assignment was due. Work will not be accepted more
F = 0% - 63%
than one day late.
INCOMPLETE LATE WORK will not be graded and will result in a zero
for the assignment. If you have extenuating circumstances that affect
Grade Breakdown your life, please talk or write to me about whats going on; I dont need
Assessments / Quizzes = details, just a general idea of your situation. I can extend due dates on
30% a case-by-case basis, but only if I know before the assignment is due
(vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammar) and not after.
Interactive Notebook =
30%
How will I check my grade in class?
(graded on completeness & creativity) You and your parent can use FOCUS to check your grades. I will do my
Writing = 30% best to get your work graded and returned to you within 1-3 days, but
(Weekly writing & process papers completed
throughout the year) please understand that longer written assignments take time to grade. I
Reading Log = 10% also periodically conference with each student to go over grades and
(quarterly district tests & writing) missing assignments.

Supplies What do I do if I am absent?

One pair of earbuds or headphones
Two college-ruled composition books
One glue bottle
College-ruled filler paper
Multiple pencils
One chunky eraser
One set of 12 or more colored pencils
One handheld pencil sharpener
One set of four or more highlighters
One pair of scissors
Colored correcting pens
Always check rosenbaumlanguagearts.weebly.com for agendas,
handouts, and assignment due dates. Students have two extra days to
turn in any work assigned on a day a student was absent. If a quiz was
administered on a day a student was absent, the quiz must be made up
on the first day the student returns. If previously assigned work was due
on the day of the absence, the work is due on the first day the student
returns; otherwise, it is considered late.
Do I have to read outside of class?
All students are expected to read for pleasure on a daily basis. BRMS
guidelines set the expectation for Advanced/STEAM Language Arts
students to read a minimum of 100 pages per week. Please see the
Reading Log Guidelines sheet for more information.

What types of writing will I do this year?

Creative Writing refers to the daily creative writing students will
complete on their Edmodo account. Creative Writing assignments will be
posted on the Weebly site weekly and due monthly.
Process Pieces refer to essays that students will complete on their
Edmodo accounts. Numerous process pieces will be completed
throughout the year (at least one per quarter). The completed piece will
include brainstorming, prewriting, a minimum number of drafts, evidence
of peer- and self-editing, and a printed final draft.
FSA Prep refers to a number of one-to-three paragraph short essays that
will be assigned in class on both an expected and random basis to check
for understanding of our reading and the writing process.

rosenbaumk@manateeschools.net 941-751-7080 ext. 2103 2

 Mrs. Rosenbaums Class Braden River Middle School 2016-2017 School Year

Grade Scale What is an Interactive Student Notebook?

The Interactive Student Notebook (ISN) is a portfolio of student work.
A+ = 100% A = 94% - 99%
The notebook is organized in a left-side and right-side format. Every
A- = 90% - 93% B+ = 87% - 89% right-side of the notebook will house teacher directed notes/activities
B = 84% - 86% B- = 80% - 83% while left-side assignments will showcase student understanding of right-
C+ = 77% - 79% C = 74% - 76%
side material in a creative and unique manner.
A college-ruled composition book will be used for the ISN. The majority of
C- = 70% - 73% D = 64% - 69%
classwork, notes, and study guides will be completed in the ISN, so it is
F = 0% - 63% imperative that it be complete and up to date. There are monthly surprise
pop quizzes on the ISN that are meant to ensure that you are keeping up
Grade Breakdown to date with the material.
How is the Reading Log graded?
Assessments / Quizzes =
30% You are responsible for reading 100 pages of any text we are NOT
(vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammar) reading as a class or as a part of any school/class reading program. The
Interactive Notebook = point of the Reading Log is not to log words but to read for pleasure.
30% Because this is an advanced class, I do not accept books similar to Diary
(graded on completeness & creativity) of a Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries. Manga and graphic novels may be
Writing = 30% acceptable, but please see me first to make sure. If you dont know what
(Weekly writing & process papers completed
throughout the year)
to read, there is a list of Sunshine State Reader Recommended Books on
Benchmarks = 10% the Resources Tab of the Weebly page, most of which are available in
(quarterly district tests & writing) the school library.

Supplies
One portable mouse for Chromebooks
One pair of earbuds or headphones
Two college-ruled composition books
One glue bottle
College-ruled filler paper
Multiple pencils
One chunky eraser
One set of 12 or more colored pencils
One handheld pencil sharpener
One set of four or more highlighters
One pair of scissors
Colored correcting pens
What do I do if I fail a test or quiz?
Reading Logs will be checked every week for number of pages read and
parent signature, but they will only be logged every two weeks. I
understand that some weekends are busier than others and that
sometimes life gets in the way of reading time. As long as you have 200
pages every other week, I am not concerned if you only had 50 one week
as long as you make up the 150 points the following week. Your parent
signature is also worth 10 points. Therefore, the maximum number of
points you can get on your Reading Logs is 220: 100 points for each
weeks reading and 10 points for each weeks parent signature. Only
one parent signature is necessary per week; you do not have to have
your parent sign every line.
The maximum number of points you can earn on your Reading Log each
quarter is 880. Im thrilled if you are reading more, but you do not get
extra credit for reading more than 800 pages per quarter. The Reading
Log grades reset to 0 the first day of each quarter.
Dont panic. In this class, mastery is more important than the amount of
time it takes you to learn the material. If you make a grade lower than a
B on a test or quiz, you may retake a similar test or quiz IF you have
turned in a Retake Ticket. A Retake Ticket is a self-guided study sheet
that shows me that you have studied for the test. If you would like to
retake a test, request a Retake Ticket, correct the mistakes you made
on the test or quiz, and then bring it to me the following day. WE MUST
GO OVER THE TEST AND RETAKE TICKET TOGETHER. After we
have gone over the test and retake ticket, bring them home, study them
overnight, and you may retake as soon as the following day. I strongly
suggest you do the Retake Ticket within a week of getting your original
test back. You may not retake a quiz or test after the end of the quarter.

rosenbaumk@manateeschools.net 941-751-7080 ext. 2103 3

 Mrs. Rosenbaums Class Braden River Middle School 2016-2017 School Year

Grade Scale What happens if I turn in an assignment late?

Work not completed and turned in by the assigned date is considered late. If a
A+ = 100% A = 94% - 99% student is absent on the date work is due, the assignment is due the first day
the student returns to school. See me for absences longer than one day.
A- = 90% - 93% B+ = 87% - 89% COMPLETED LATE WORK will incur a 5-point penalty if it is turned in the day
B = 84% - 86% B- = 80% - 83% after the assignment was due. INCOMPLETE LATE WORK will not be graded
and will result in a zero for the assignment. If you have extenuating
C+ = 77% - 79% C = 74% - 76%
circumstances that affect your life, please talk or write to me about whats going
C- = 70% - 73% D = 64% - 69% on; I dont need details, just a general idea of your situation. I can extend due
F = 0% - 63% dates onwill
How I check basis,
a case-by-case my grade
but only ifin class?
I know before the assignment is due
and not after.

Grade Breakdown You and your parent can use FOCUS to check your grades. I will do my best to
get your work graded and returned to you within 1-3 days, but please understand
Assessments / Quizzes = that longer written assignments can take much longer to grade. I also
30% periodically conference with each student to go over grades and missing
(vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammar) assignments.
Interactive Notebook = What do I do if I am absent?
30% Always check rosenbaumlanguagearts.weebly.com for agendas,
(graded on completeness & creativity)
handouts, and assignment due dates. Students have two extra days to
Writing = 30%
(Weekly writing & process papers completed
turn in any work assigned on a day a student was absent. If a quiz was
throughout the year) administered on a day a student was absent, the quiz must be made up
Benchmarks = 10% on the first day the student returns. If previously assigned work was due
(quarterly district tests & writing) on the day of the absence, the work is due on the first day the student
returns; otherwise, it is considered late.
Supplies Do I have to read outside of class?
All students are expected to read for pleasure on a daily basis. BRMS
One portable mouse for Chromebooks guidelines set the expectation for Advanced/STEAM Language Arts
One pair of earbuds or headphones students to read a minimum of 100 pages per week. Please see the
Two college-ruled composition books section on Reading Logs for more information.
One glue bottle
College-ruled filler paper What types of writing will I do this year?
Multiple pencils Creative Writing refers to the daily creative writing students will
One chunky eraser complete on their Edmodo account. Creative Writing assignments will be
One set of 12 or more colored pencils
posted on the Weebly site weekly and due monthly.
One handheld pencil sharpener
One set of four or more highlighters Process Pieces refer to essays that students will complete on their
One pair of scissors Edmodo accounts. Numerous process pieces will be completed
Colored correcting pens throughout the year (at least one per quarter). The completed piece will
include brainstorming, prewriting, a minimum number of drafts, evidence
of peer- and self-editing, and a printed final draft.
FSA Prep refers to a number of one-to-three paragraph short essays that
will be assigned in class on both an expected and random basis to check
for understanding of our reading and the writing process.

What is an Interactive Student Notebook?

The Interactive Student Notebook (ISN) is a portfolio of student work.
The notebook is organized in a left-side and right-side format. Every
right-side of the notebook will house teacher directed notes/activities
while left-side assignments will showcase student understanding of right-
side material in a creative and unique manner.
A college-ruled composition book will be used for the ISN. The majority of
classwork, notes, and study guides will be completed in the ISN, so it is
imperative that it be complete and up to date.

rosenbaumk@manateeschools.net 941-751-7080 ext. 2103 2

 Mrs. *****s Class School 2016-2017 School Year

PLEASE READ THE COURSE INFORMATION, SIGN, AND

RETURN THIS SHEET TO MRS. *****.
Students:
Please sign below to signify that you have read the course sheet for Mrs. *****s class, will keep it in your folder,
and will be responsible for the information throughout the year, and will check Parent Portal at least twice per
week at school or at home.

_______________________________ _____________________________________________
Student printed name Student signature

Parents/Guardians:

Check all the statements that apply to how you would like to communicate with Mrs. ***** about your
students progress. I will, of course, call for major concerns or accomplishments, but with approximately 130
students, I like to know how youd prefer to communicate.

_____ I/We have internet access at home, so we will check Parent Portal at least twice per week to check on
my/our students progress. I/We will contact Mrs. ***** about any concerns we have.

_____ I/We plan to email Mrs. ***** weekly or monthly for an update.

_____ I/We do not have internet access at home, but I/we would like to have regular contact with Mrs. *****.
I/we will call for an update on a regular basis.

_____ Other:
_______________________________________________________________________________

Please sign below to indicate that you have read the course sheet for Mrs. *****s class and that you will help
your student be accountable for the information. If you have questions about the course or your
students work, please do not hesitate to contact me; email is the best way to reach me quickly. See the front
of this sheet for my email address.

_______________________________ _____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian printed name Parent/Guardian signature

_______________________________ ______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian e-mail Parent/Guardian daytime phone number
(please print)

Parents and guardians, please CIRCLE the best way for me to contact you:
e-mail phone

email phone & ext. 3