Mr. Heil, Junior High Language and Speech                                           

Phone: 747-3117, ext. 2207
heildoug@hotmail.com

These pictures can be ordered on-line and pick up at Target.

High School Play Pictures 2007-2008  http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=9yk7ihyq.4a51wsj6&x=1&y=zh8e1k&localeid=en_US

Junior High Play Pictures 2008 http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=9r0ojgx2.7p329qiu&x=1&y=-nyt7xn

Seventh grade language arts is a brand new experience for the students.  A routine is closely followed, yet there is often the unexpected to keep anticipation daily.  The class is broken into four categories.

Vocabulary- We use the wordskills approach.  Students have a red workbook from which they study a group of target words for two weeks.  Students have a spelling test at the end of week one of the unit, and a vocabulary test at the end of week two of the unit.  At the end of week two their workbooks are also graded.  Each test is worth 100 points, a significant portion of the final grade.

Composition- During the first semester, students get a writing prompt, usually from a story we have read or an extension from a related activity, which is worth 50 points.  It is just a draft and we will revisit each draft second semester as students learn to revise.  This may cause some frustration second semester because students either get 100 on a final draft or a redo which then becomes simply another draft to improve.  Often grades go down as a result of the redo, especially if a student has several at a time.  However, students improve as writers almost instantly when they are armed with revision guidelines.

Sentence Combining- Just say the words to a seventh grader and a groan will surely follow!  This approach moves students quickly through the parts of speech they have been studying (and usually forgetting just as soon as they complete the test) since second grade.  Scores on these daily assignments will vary greatly as students attempt to label more difficult constructions, getting used to the rhythm and flow of well constructed sentences.  By doing such, my hope is that their own writing will be strong in word choice and fluency.

Free Friday- After students finish their tests on Friday (or the last day of the week), no new instruction is given.  It does not mean that the class is a free period.  Instead it is a day for students to REDO poorly done daily work.  Students get a grade report that indicates to them what they are doing well and what is not going so well for them.  To this grade report students should staple all of their daily week from the week.  Then students are to self-evaluate their performance by writing about the following topics.

1.      What did I learn this week?

2.      Give two examples which prove my understanding.

3.      What was difficult for me this week?

4.      What was easy or enjoyable this week?

5.      If my grade is below a B, why is it that low and what do I need to do about it?

This grade report and self-evaluation are to be signed by a parent or guardian and turned in the following Monday for 100 points.  I will still accept them on Tuesday for 75 points, and on Wednesday for 50 points.