7th grade language arts Ms.
McCracken
abbigail.mccracken@tusd1.org
(When you email me, please note the unusual extra b in my first name)
Visit my class website for makeup work and what were doing in class:
HOMEWORK/CLASS CONTENT
* Always bring a silent reading book. Always!
Student homework is silent reading.
They should be reading 20 or more
minutes, every night, at home.
It should be a book you want to read and thats at
your reading level.
Grade requirements:
Honors students need to read 500 pages a quarter.
Language arts students need to read 250 pages a
quarter. This can be among multiple books (e.g. one
200 page book and one 300 page book for honors).
Students often set personal goals that are higher (last
year, one student achieved a personal goal of reading
10,000 pages by the end of the year!).
Reading homework is 10% of your grade.
*Homework will be assigned periodically. People
might also need to finish things they didnt finish in
class. I will always send out reminders of deadlines
through Remind.
1
(Culturally Responsive Curriculum at a Glance, 2017)
realmccracken.weebly.com
GRADING
Late work will be accepted only for excused
absences. Students can find make-up work
on my website: realmccracken.weebly.com
Daily points are earned for the work we do
in class. They are 50% of the grade.
Disrupting, being off-task, or not
participating means youll lose daily points.
They are earned for putting your best effort
into what were doing.
Tests, assignments, essays, discussions and
other graded work are 40% of your grade.
Homework is the other 10%.
Culturally relevant curriculum
I am proud to teach a culturally relevant
class, which means:1
Respect for the legitimacy of different cultures
Empowering students to value all cultures, not
just their own
Incorporating cultural information into the
curriculum, instead of simply adding it on
Relating new information to students' life
experiences
Teaching to the "whole child" and treating the
classroom like a community
Addressing a spectrum of learning styles
Maintaining high expectations for student
success
We will discuss some controversial topics, but
always in a safe environment, and always with
respect for all points of view!
 CLASS RULES
1. Respect your classmates and your teacher
2. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself
3. Do not curse or use bad language
4. Follow directions
5. Dont talk when others are talking
6. Raise your hands to speak
7. Clean up after yourself
8. Cell phones are not permitted
*the teacher can change or modify these rules at any
time
CONSEQUENCES FOR
FOLLOWING RULES
- A fun, challenging, safe,
easily understood class I vow:
- Positive emails and calls
home
- Grizzly Bucks
- Celebrations as a team
CONSEQUENCES FOR BREAKING RULES
First:
warning
Second:
Talk after class
Lose daily work points
Multiple talks at end of class about the same issue:
Call home
Referral to Mr. Taravati and Mrs. McGlory
(lunch detention or further consequences)
Obvious exception: bullying, aggression, violence,
or severe disrespect will lead to an immediate
referral.
I will always treat you with respect.
I will never humiliate you, yell at you, or
play favorites.
I will always give consequences privately.

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR CLASS

Two composition notebooks (college ruled), pencils and pens, highlighters
AND ALWAYS: a book you want to read

Sign up for Remind!

Youll get texts
about deadlines
and assignments.
You can also ask
questions and
communicate.
Feel free to keep
this page for future
reference.
Please fill out this graphic organizer silently.
Name: ________________________________________________ Period: _____________
Your homework:

1. Get two composition notebooks and a silent reading book.

2. Have your parent or guardian complete the following assignment by Tuesday, 8/8/17:

Your child is a member of the best language arts class ever, taught by me, Ms. McCracken.
Please write a well-organized paragraph describing your child to me. Who is your child over
all? What do I need to know for them to do their best in my class?

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3. Parents/guardians and students: join my Remind group to get text or email reminders
about assignments, homework, and deadlines.
- Text @f29kb to 81010 (Trouble using 81010? Try texting @f29kb to (520) 477-0501)
or
- visit https://www.remind.com/join/f29kb