INSTRUCTOR: MRS. MARINA COOLEY

BLVS 7th Grade EnglishCourse Information

How is the class set up?

There are three main parts to this class:

Study Island – Learn the specific concepts related to the Kansas College & Career Ready Standards. There are 13 lessons and tests each semester.

Writer’s Workshop – Learn how to write effectively. One Writer’s Workshop is due each semester and each one features three different types of writing. The online textbook, Write Source, is your main resource for all formal writing assignments.

Edmodo - It is the world’s largest K-12 social learning community where teachers, students, and parents can connect safely and securely. Respond to a minimum of ten questions posted on Edmodo each semester.

STUDY ISLAND

What is Study Island?

Study Island Informational Video

What is my login information for Study Island?

Obtain login information from BLVS office. Jan Laffoon’s email is laffoon.jan@blvs.org and the phone # is 913-724-1727 (extension 0).

Log in to Study Island.

What do you need to know about the lessons?

*IMPORTANT – You must take the Study Island Pretest before you begin working through the lessons. All lessons are locked until you take the pretest.

There is a lesson and a test for each concept. Lessons 1-13 plus the Writing Process & Six Trait Writing Test are all required for the 1st semester. Lessons 14-26 are required for the 2nd semester.

Complete the practice lesson first and then take the practice quiz, which is built into the practice lesson.

What do you need to know about Study Island tests?

Make sure you understand the concepts related to topic. You can also go to the Write Source textbook to look up additional information about each topic before taking the final test.

When you are ready, take the 10 question test. Take your time and think about each question and the answer choices. Rule out the answer choices that are obviously incorrect.

Remember, 70% is the minimum score required to pass the test.

The student is responsible for notifying me (cooley.marina@blvs.org) if he/she scores below a 70%.

Retakes will be issued, but the retake score will be averaged with the first test score (up to a 70% average).

WRITER’S WORKSHOP

What are the Writer’s Workshop requirements?

There are six writing topics: 1st Semester: Descriptive, Narrative & Expository 2nd Semester: Persuasive, Response to Literature & Creative

Submit your semester project to the instructor in a newsletter format. For instance the 1st semester project will have descriptive, narrative, and expository articles. Use a creative format and add color and pictures that relate to your articles. Remember to also include a “Works Cited” page that documents your resources.

Follow the directions given in the lesson plans on my website.

How will you use the Write Source Book?

The online book will help you learn more about writing. It will be your main source of information when you are completing the required Writer’s Workshop project

each semester. Each type of writing is covered in detail throughout the book.

The Writer’s Workshop units are designed to help you understand the different types of writing and of course become a better writer. The units also prepare you for

the Kansas College and Career Ready Writing Test in the spring.

How do you access Write Source?

Textbook: Write Source Onlinehttps://ws.hmhpub.com/writesource/Choose the state of Kansas and then choose the following

school: Basehor-linwood Virtual Cs - 191686

Username and password will be sent to you through the Virtual School office. Please contact Jan Laffoon (laffoon.jan@blvs.org) if you have not received the login information.

Other details about Write Source:

Log on to Write Source and work through the pages listed in the lesson plan on my web site for each type of writing listed on my Website under 7A & 7B.

You can have the information in the textbook read to you by selecting the speaker icon.

Pay close attention to the specific details given to you about each type of writing.

What is Edmodo?

It is the world’s largest K-12 social learning community where teachers, students, and parents can connect safely and securely.

It is a safe environment. There is no bullying or inappropriate content, because the teacher can see everything that is posted on Edmodo. Also parents can join the class to bring a level of transparency that is difficult to achieve without technology.

All in all Edmodo is a great companion to just about any class.

EDMODO TUTORIAL

How do you log in to Edmodo?

Requirement: You will need to create a username and password. Log on.

After logging on, you will need to join our BLVS 7th grade English class. Click on the + sign by the “Groups” label. Use the following code to join our group:75zngr

What are the Edmodo requirements?

Respond to 10 questions throughout each semester.

You may also select a picture or image as your avatar.

Interact with peers in a positive way. Responses must be respectful and appropriate.

Use correct grammar and spelling as you type your responses.

How are grades calculated?

Grades are weighted. The percentages are the following: Writer’s Workshop: Semester Writing Project –

50 % Study Island lessons & tests - 40% Edmodo– 10%

Contact Information

My email address is the following:cooley.marina@blvs.org or mcooley@usd458.org

School phone # is (913) 724-2976 (BLMS office) Leave a message if necessary (7:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m.)

One-on-one conference time is available on Wednesday each week from 3-4 p.m. Please make arrangements with me through email.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own. (def. - Wikipedia).  DO NOT plagiarize any of your writing.  All ideas and information that you use in your writing must be written in your own words and not copied directly from the original source. Occasionally, you may use a direct quote from another author, but you must put it in quotes and create a footnote. All resources must also be listed in your Works Cited page.

YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR ANY ASSIGNMENT THAT CONTAINS PLAGIARIZED WORK.  THE "TURN IT IN" WEBSITE IS USED TO CHECK YOUR WORK FOR PLAGIARISM.

THANKS FOR BEING A PART OF THE BASEHOR-LINWOOD VIRTUAL SCHOOL!

LET’S HAVE A GREAT YEAR WORKING TOGETHER!