Ed St. Laurent
Subject: Grade 7 English & Film Studies
Afterschool Hours: Tuesday & Thursday
Contact Email: estlaurent@leepublicschools.net
Contact Phone: 413-243-2780, ext. 2119
Instructional Overview:
In English 7, students will read and discuss, in small and large group settings, a rich variety of theme-based novels, short stories, nonfiction, plays, poems, and films. Students will pay particular attention to literary elements, writing styles, historical context, and genre. Specific writing prompts will be given to allow students to respond informally to literature. Formal essays—descriptive, expository, persuasive, and narrative—will be assigned to allow students to critically and creatively analyze literature. Writing short stories and poetry will allow students to practice and build their natural creativity and understand the process of creating literature. The fundaments of grammar, punctuation and rhetoric will be addressed and reinforced throughout the entire course. Students will have an opportunity to apply these skills during discussion and on quizzes, tests, and writing assignments.
At the end of the school year, students will:
• Know how to infer meaning of vocabulary and texts by analyzing context clues
• Have a larger vocabulary and improved reading skills
• Be able to write open-responses, descriptive narratives, expository essays, and persuasive essays
• Apply fundamental research skills to future research projects
• Identify and analyze literary elements in novels, poetry, short stories, nonfiction, and films
• Demonstrate use of figurative language in literature and in their own writing
• Have learned important life lessons from the literature they have read
Policies and Procedures. Students are expected to:
• Independently read a book of their choice for a minimum of 90 minutes every week in order to complete the Eight Book Independent Reading Standard.*
• Arrive on time to class fully prepared every class, which means to
Be in your seat, ready to work at the bell
Have on your desk the following materials:
o 3-ring, 2-inch binder
o Silent reading book
o Any other reading materials (i.e. whatever literature we are reading together as a class)
o BLACK OR BLUE pen and/or pencil
o Agenda
o Recommended: USB Jump Drive (4GB or 8GB)
Leave cell phones, iPods, and any other electronic devices in their lockers
Participate as much as possible and to be respectful of peers, teachers, and property at ALL times
o My classroom is place where students can freely share their thoughts and feelings without having to fear being ridiculed or harassed. When a student feels that his or her view point is trivial or unworthy, he or she will not participate, which will hinder academic success. Part of being a successful learner is interacting in discourse. Anyone who is disruptive and rude to others will be dealt with immediately.
Grading Policies:
1. Homework will be checked or collected at the beginning of class. With the exception of emergencies or absences, no late homework will be accepted. If you have an emergency and cannot complete your homework on time, you will need to submit a note from your parent or guardian notifying me that an emergency has occurred or have them contact me or the main office via phone or email.
2. Grammar/Vocabulary notes and activities will be recorded and checked in notebook
3. Contributions to group work will be evaluated by both peers and teacher.
4. Ten percent (10%) of a major writing assignment or project’s final grade will be deducted each day it is late.
5. The assessment of major writing assignments and projects will be based upon rubrics, which will be made available to students.
6. Grade percentage breakdown:
Participation (P) 10%
Effort (E) 10%
Classwork (C) 10%
Homework (H) 10%
Quizzes (Q) 10%
Tests (T) 20%
Major Writing Assignments / Projects (W) 30%
Reading List:
Students will read the following books:
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (nonfiction)
The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (fiction)
The Giver by Lois Lowry (fiction)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (fiction)
*Keep in mind that in addition to this, students will be reading eight additional books of their choosing on their own for the Eight Book Independent Reading Standard throughout the entire school year, which means that they will be reading at least two books on their own every quarter.
*A packet explaining the expectations for the Eight Book Independent Reading Standard in detail will be distributed shortly.
Film Studies
Course Description:
For many students, this course will serve as an introduction to film appreciation and production, and therefore the course’s instructional speed and depth will be treated as so. Students will view a selection of films and analyze the aesthetic elements of these films including their cinematography, editing, sound, script, acting, direction, and mise en scene (French for “put in the scene”). The study of film also may include contexts such as cultural roles, genre, political issues, economics, ethics, and history. Students will analyze the films by actively participating in class discussions and by writing critical reviews.
*Film List:
Nosferatu (1922)
King Kong (1933)
Citizen Kane (1941)
Casablanca (1942)
Beauty and the Beast (1946)
The African Queen (1951)
Psycho (1960)
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
The Godfather (1972)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Jaws (1975)
Star Wars (1977)
Dances with Wolves (1990)
Chaplin (1992)
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
The Lion King (1994)
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Various clips from an assortment of other films
*Not every film on this list may be shown due to time restraints. Films not on this list may be added or substituted as well.
Materials:
3-Subject Spiral Notebook
Section 1: Quotes
Section 2: My Notes
Section 3: Your Notes
Pocket Folder
Pen or Pencil
Assessment Breakdown:
You will be assessed on the following:
• Two Short Quizzes
• Four Film Critiques
• One Major Project
• Participation and Effort
Grade Percentage Breakdown:
Quizzes 10%
Film Critiques 35%
Major Project 25%
Participation 15%
Effort 15%
Participation, Effort, and the Importance of Being Respectful:
Since this is a discussion-centered class, your contributions towards class discussions are very important. Remember that each and every one of us has good points to make. All too often, these good points go unsaid simply out of a fear that they might not be good enough. I don’t want you to have that fear in this class. I want you to walk in here knowing that this is a place where you can freely and comfortably share your thoughts. Anyone who is disrespectful to you or anyone else will be dealt with immediately. Anyone who is continually disrespectful may be asked to leave the course. It takes effort on everyone’s part to make this a safe place for discussion. Putting in a good, giving it all that you got, is important not only here but everywhere you go in life, so it would be a disservice to you if I did not make effort a part of your grade. I will be assessing how much effort you put into your work, into participating in class discussions, and into treating people with respect.
Policies and Procedures. You are expected to:
o Arrive on time to class fully prepared every class, which means to
Be in your seat, ready to work at the bell
Bring a notebook, a folder, and a pen or pencil with you
Leave cell phones, iPods, and any other electronic devices in your locker, bag,
or pocket
Participate as much as possible and to be respectful of peers, teachers, and
property at ALL times
Late Work:
Due dates are nonnegotiable. It’s important that you meet a deadline once it has been set. This is not to annoy you, but to prepare you for the real world. If you don’t pay your bills on time, you will be penalized. The same goes here with assignment due dates. If you do not turn your assignment in on time, ten percent (10%) of an assignment’s final grade will be deducted each day that it is late. If an emergency should arise that prevents you from submitting an assignment on time, you will be given a limited grace period to submit that assignment.
Last Words:
Please keep in mind that this class is meant to be enjoyed. Essentially, it’s a time for us to come together to watch movies and to have thoughtful discussions about them. Yes, there will be assignments to carry out, but think of them as an opportunity to look at a film in a new and interesting ways. I guarantee you that you will never look at movies the same way again after you leave this class!