Class Syllabus

Mr. Darreyel Laster

Room 103
Email Address: dlaster@catalystschools.org
Website: ddlaster.weebly.com/about.html
Phone (cell): 850-501-5728
Course Description: This course will be structured into four critical learning areas for the
seventh grade literature/reading classes. The focus of this year will be self-definition/
self-identity, values and change. These are very powerful and convoluted themes that
scholars are expected to master at the seventh grade level. With seventh grade being a
benchmark year, meaning the most important year of their pre-college careers, this year
will inevitably be filled with academic as well as personal challenges. There will be a
class that is co-taught, which means that two teachers will be present during the
duration of the 90 minute block. Focus Skills (CRS/CCS Standards for Course):

Drawing inferences

Development of theme and central idea across a text

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text

Development of and contrasting points of view in a text

Vocabulary Building

(Brief) Course Outline:

Quarter 1:
o House on Mango Street
o Varied articles and short stories surrounding Latin culture and heritage
o Varied articles and short stories surrounding personal identity.

Quarter 2:

7th Grade Literacy

o In the Time of the Butterflies

o Varied articles and short stories surrounding personal identity and selfexpression.

Quarter 3:
o Life is so good
o Varied articles and short stories surrounding civil rights, segregation in the
south, racism, and social justice.
o Thirteen Reasons Why** This book is about depression and a teenage
suicide. This book will be used to bring attention to and prompt
conversations about this controversial topic.

Quarter 4:
o Farwell to Manzanar
o Varied articles and short stories surrounding World War I and American
internment camps.

Description of block schedule:

This year, scholars will be on a block schedule. Each scholar will have seven 45
minutes periods per day, with literature and math being a double block (90
minutes each), and it is crucial that scholars are being responsible by keeping up
with homework and projects.

TEACHING/LEARNING STRATEGIES:

Catalyst-Maria works around principles of cross-curricular integration and

rigorous college preparation. Each quarter is broken into nine weeks. Catalyst7th Grade Literacy

Maria teachers focus on incorporating all learning modalities into weekly

lessons, and creating a culture of critical thinking around the subject area.
Catalyst-Maria teachers create effective feedback systems and use data to
consistently inform instruction. Catalyst-Maria teachers prepare their scholars
for state assessments and ensure that success for all scholars!
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
1. Stay Engaged:
Internalized values/core beliefs of the school as evidenced by actions and
behaviors
Know and follow rules and procedures
Classroom jobs
Respond to redirection
Invest in your own learning
2. Show respect at all times:
Silently listen while others speak.
Respect each person in the building at all times.
3. Be prepared at all times:
Come prepared and on time to class with all the materials that you will need.
Complete homework and class work every day.
Bring a strong work ethic and positive attitude to class.
4. Work hard every day:
Come prepared to work and make significant progress.
Stay focused at all times.
5. Take responsibility for your actions:
Take ownership of your education and development.
Own your mistakes and your triumphs.

7th Grade Literacy

6. Critical Thinking
You are expected to THINK in this course. This means to take risks and share
your thoughts about reading and writing.
You are in turn expected to respectfully support your classmate as they take
risks.
GRADING:
The following school-wide grading scale will be applied to all work:

A= 100-90%

B= 80-89%

C= 67-79%

F= 66% and lower

The following grading percentages will apply to the calculation of semester

grades (core classes):

Summative Assessments and Projects: 30%

Classwork (labs, essays, participation): 30%

Exit Slips and Quizzes: 30%

Homework: 10%

HOMEWORK POLICIES AND LATE WORK:

General Expectations:
o Write down your homework from the board every day.
o Homework is expected to be completed every day.
o If you ever have questions on the homework, let me know right away.
o Always try, even if you do not think its perfect.
o YOU SHOULD BE READING AT HOME FOR ~45 MINUTES PER NIGHT
AND COMPLETING A READING LOG. (If students dont have homework,
it will be EXPLICITLY stated)

7th Grade Literacy

**If your child needs another copy of the homework, they can retrieve it from
the website listed above.

Excused Absence (including ISS/OSS):

o Scholars will ask their teacher for make-up work after school on the first
day they return.
o If a scholar does not ask their teacher for make-up work or asks after the
first day they return, teachers will not give the student work.
o If a scholar asks a teacher during class or at another inappropriate time,
teachers will not give the student work.
o

Scholar will turn in their work for full credit the next day.

o If a scholar missed two days of school, they will have two days to make
up the work. Three days of school missed will result in three days to
make up work, and so on.

o If a scholar fails to ask their teacher for make-up work on the first day they
return and their grade falls as a consequence, the scholar will attend
tutoring to get make up assignments.
Missing Homework
Scholars will ask their teacher for make-up work after school on the first
day they return.
o A scholar is allowed three opportunities to turn in late work each quarter.
After three in a given quarter, the scholar will receive half credit for late
work.
o If a scholar turns in work 24 hours late (next class period), the scholar can
earn a maximum of 80%.
o If a scholar turns in work 48 hours late (two class periods), the scholar can
earn a maximum of 70%, after being given two opportunities to hand in
late work each quarter.

HALL AND BATHROOM PASSES:

Scholars are expected to come to class prepared with everything they need from
their lockers. Additionally, scholars are expected to use the restroom before or

7th Grade Literacy

after class.
Class Consequences
1.
2.
3.
4.

Warning
Teacher-scholar conference
Phone call home and demerit(s)
Dean referral and removal from classroom

Necessities for Success in Literature:

Students will need the following everyday:

Novel

Pencil

Homework

Editing pen of different color

Highlighter

Reading folder

Daily Planner
Beginning of Class
1.
Line up at the door at a Level 0.
2.
Wait to be greeted to enter.
3.
Prepare for class (i.e. take our appropriate materials)
4.
Read Do Now on the board.
Have a question?
1. Raise hand silently if you ever need anything.
2. Stay in your seat.
I will come to you so that everyone can remain on task and I can best
assist you.
3. Calling out will disrupt class and frustrate me and your peers.
This is everyones learning space.
End of Class
In order to be dismissed from class, you must:
1.
Make sure your homework is written down.
2.
Clean up all your materials at a Level 0.
3.
Sit in SLANT, eyes front, mouths closed.
4.
You will be dismissed by table

7th Grade Literacy

Other Important Things to Know

1. Only water is allowed in class. No other food or drink.
2. No one will be allowed to go to the bathroom during class.
3. If you need to throw something away or need a tissue, do not get up while
I am teaching the full class. A good time to do this would be during work
time.
4. If you are unsure, raise your hand silently and ask!

7th Grade Literacy