We are excited about the opportunity to partner with you and your child this school year and look forward to sharing our love of literature and writing with each student. As educators, we believe you play a significant role in your child’s achievement.  Because it is our belief that the home-school connection is particularly vital, we desire to join with you to create a culture that promotes excellence in education. Therefore, the following information has been organized to define the expectations and procedures necessary for your child’s success in the RLA program. 

Curriculum

One of the goals of the Language Arts Department is to achieve a more balanced literacy and writing curriculum. Considering that reading and writing strengthen one another as reciprocal processes, we look forward to integrating both into one 90 minute RLA block.  In RLA, your child will demonstrate an ability to understand and analyze a variety of written texts across reading genres, as well as practice various modes of writing, grammar, and mechanics. 

Grading Policy

Each nine-week’s grade average will be based on the following categories:

1. MINOR/DAILY Grades - class work, group work, quizzes 50%

2. MAJOR Grades - unit assessments, projects, cumulative homework, and essays 50%

*Students are allowed to retest if they fail a major test. They must attend tutorials before retesting. Retests and tutorials will be conducted outside of standard class time (advisory, lunch, before school or after school). 

Late/Incomplete Work

Students are responsible for turning in their own work in a timely manner. Once the due date has passed, up to 10 late points will be deducted. Hallsville ISD does not accept a refusal to work. Students will be required to turn in all assignments completed to the best of their ability. If the student is unable to complete an assignment, it is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the teacher.  

Organization

Students must have one 1.5” binder with 10 dividers.  They will also need a composition notebook. These items will be kept in the classroom.

Absences

If your child is absent, anticipate that an assignment has been missed. Remind your child that it is his/her responsibility to manage missing work.  All work is available in Google Classroom.  Depending on the situation, students are allowed two days per absence in order to complete missed class assignments.

Reading

Students will be assigned a Literature Circle book.  They will be responsible for those books and must reimburse the school for any lost or damaged property.  We will also go to the library as a class, but they are welcome to bring appropriate books from home as well.  

Success in RLA

We are committed to giving students the tools, motivation, and environment they will need to be successful in their RLA class and others. By holding your child to high standards and expecting only his/her best, we hope to foster a work ethic that they will proudly display in all future academic endeavors. Encourage your child to make the most of this opportunity. You can help by encouraging them to check email and the classwork tab of Google Classroom each day. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have a question, concern, or idea you wish to discuss.