St. Joseph School

Teacher: Mrs. Elaine Manges
Grade: Seventh Grade Homeroom
Subjects: Computer (Grade 7), Reading & Religion (Grade 6), Math (Grades 5-8)
Email: emangessjs@yahoo.com
Voicemail: 988-4244 x314

As the homeroom teacher for 7th Grade my schedule includes 7th Grade Computer, 6th Grade Reading & Religion, and 5th through 8th Grade Math.

 COMPUTER 7th GRADE:

Points will be earned for projects, assignments, tests, correct use of programs & the internet, and care of a computer. Classroom performance is also graded, based on posture, home-row position when keyboarding, mouse pad hand position, attentiveness, following directions, and using time wisely on the lesson of the day. Students are expected to type 30 words per minute by the end of 7th Grade. Students may use study hall time at the teacher’s discretion and after-school Open Computer Lab to improve keyboarding skills and to work on assignments. When permitted, students may also do internet research at home for the more complex projects. The assignments, however, must be done in school.

MATH 5TH – 8th GRADES:

I use the Saxon Math program which is based on the concept of incremental development. Please read the Preface in the textbook for more detail on the philosophy and components of this series.

The 8th grade class is divided into small groups of students who work as a team when correcting homework or beginning the new Problem Set for the day. They help each other by explaining problems, finding errors, making corrections, etc. Team points are awarded to teams who show improvement on test scores.

7th & 8th graders learn math vocabulary and copy words and definitions in a notebook or on index cards.

Advanced Math: A 6th grader who achieves a yearly average of 96.5 or higher is eligible for the advanced math class in 7th and 8th grades. They must also have excellent homework habits, a high level of self-motivation, exemplary behavior, and independent work habits. The 7th grade advanced math is Algebra 1/2 and the 8th grade advanced math is Algebra I.

Study Sessions: Students who score below 80% on a math test will be required to receive instructional intervention in the form of a Study Session. Students who score 80% or higher may attend the Study Sessions if they wish. Study Sessions are not punishment, but rather, are designed to give the student extra preparation and practice for the next scheduled test. Study Sessions will be held from 2:25-3:15 p.m., or during a study hall. A letter will be sent home with information concerning the Study Session. Parents are responsible for arranging the transportation for their children.

READING 6th GRADE:

Points will be earned for projects, assignments, tests, quizzes, oral reading skill, and vocabulary, based on our reading textbook, our vocabulary textbook, and on novels. The students’ oral reading skills will be graded on rate, volume, expression, pronunciation, enunciation, and fluency. All reading tests will be sent home to be signed by a parent. The student is responsible for returning the signed test to me within a week.

Each student is required to read at least one ARP book each quarter and take the ARP quiz. Any score lower than 7/10 receives no credit and either the test must be taken again with Mrs. Peabody’s and Mrs. Manges’ permission, or another book must be read and the test taken. Students must read books that are 5th grade level reading or higher. Students who read additional ARP books and score 7/10 or higher will receive 2 extra credit points per book. No more than 10 extra credit points can be earned each quarter. Please note that students must have their ARP book with them throughout the day and should read it whenever appropriate.

RELIGION 6th GRADE:

Religion classes are based on our religion textbook and on weekly issues of “Ventures,” which must be saved in a ring binder. Grades are based on worksheets, activities, homework assignments and tests. Students are also graded on service projects, student-prepared prayer services, participation at Mass, and special projects.

GENERAL RULES:

• I will give full credit for work turned in on time.
• A student who is absent has to make up all work and tests within the same number of days as the absence. For example, if a student misses 2 days of school, the student may have 2 days to make up all work and tests. Students who miss class days due to vacation, must turn in work before they begin their vacation. At the discretion of the principal and teacher(s), students with missing, late, or incomplete assignments will not be permitted to participate in special activities that include, but are not limited to, field trips, Field Day, the 7th & 8th Grade trip, or any other special activity.
• Any cheating or plagiarism of any kind on any test or assignment will result in a 0 for all students involved. Additional consequences may also result. See St. Joseph School Contract Handbook.

SCHEDULE:

• Computer class Friday
• Band Monday
• Art Monday
• Spanish Wednesday
• Phys Ed Wednesday & Friday
• Music Thursday
• Quest Thursday

NOTE: 7th grade language arts is taught by Mrs. Miller in the 8th grade homeroom. 7th grade social studies is taught by Mrs. Frank in the 5th grade homeroom. 7th grade science is taught by Mrs. Trigilio in the science lab.