Ms. Clare Zipperer
Title/Position
Middle School Reading Teacher grades 6 and 7 and Supportive Consultant
Favorite Saint
St. Clare of Assisi
Education/Degrees
University of Wisconsin La-Crosse with a Bachelor of Science degree grades 1- 8.
About Me
I started teaching at St. Bernard School in 1987. That is a long time but wouldn’t change it for the world. I love St. Bernard School and consider it a part of my extended family. I am a product of Catholic education having attended elementary school 1st thru 8th grade at St. Joseph School (a.k.a Our Lady of Lourdes) today. I attended high school at St. Joseph Academy (a.k.a. Aldo Leopold). I graduated from the University of Wisconsin La-Crosse in 1985. Taught my first two years at a small Catholic School St. Mary’s-St. Patrick’s in Reedsville.
Teaching has always been a dream of mine. I remember being in eighth grade deciding that it was the profession I wanted to pursue. I never thought I would be teaching middle school however, I truly enjoy every minute of it. It is a new and exciting day every day.
I have two grown children, a son and daughter who are now living their lives.
My favorite things to do when I’m not teaching are reading, spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities, shopping, and arts and crafts.
Classroom Resources
A Note From Ms. Zipperer:
Hello! Welcome to my class. You will find my syllabus for grades 6 and 7 Literature.
Literature Course Syllabus - Grade 6 and 7 2021 - 2022
Ms. Clare Zipperer - Rm. 18
Email address: czipperer@gracesystem.org
School Phone Number:(920) 468-5026
Course Description:
The goal for sixth and seventh grade literature class is to encourage a love for reading and develop students to become lifelong learners and readers. The class will help the students achieve this by learning and using the eight main skills and strategies which all good readers use. These skills consist of previewing, visualizing, asking questions, making predictions, inferring, making connections, summarizing, and responding to text. These strategies, along with learning the literary elements, will be used while reading short stories, novels, and informational text. The students will also learn about text structures and how knowing this information will help them to better comprehend the reading material.
There will be HOMEWORK EVERY NIGHT in my class. Yes, you read that correctly. The sixth and seventh graders will have homework for my class every night. That homework is to read for 20 minutes each night. Why??? It is important to read because the more you read the better reader you become! Reading and understanding what you read is a lifelong skill. We read every day in our daily lives. Think about the materials you read without even realizing it: signs while you drive, labels and names of foods in the grocery store, instructions for how to put something together, important documents/bills ( wills, taxes, water/electric bill), newspapers/magazines, and the list goes on. I want the sixth and seventh graders to not only be able to read for understanding but I also want them to read for enjoyment. Where else can you travel to a place you have never been to - real or imagined; meet famous people or people from the past; or be involved in an event that took place in history. Therefore there will be reading homework every night. READ 20 minutes.
Course Outline:
Grade 6 will read short stories first trimester from one of these texts:
Family Matters, Try, Try Again, Who’s Who?
The students will be assigned to read one of the following novels each trimester.
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper, Wonder by R.J. Palacio. All students will read the novel The Watson’s Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis,
Grade 7 will read short stories first trimester from one of these texts:
Survival, Out of Tune, Tales From Here to There
The students will be assigned to read several novels throughout the year. Several selections for novels that could be assigned are as follows:
All students will read Wednesdays Wars by Gary D. Schmidt .
Other novels that will be read are Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls or The Call of the Wild by Jack London.
Book Requirements:
Each semester students will be expected to read 5 books every six weeks. When finished reading a book, they are to sign up to confer with me about the book during SSR. This will count for 50 percent of their grade for mid-trimester and trimester. Each book will count for 40 points. Some students will only be required to read 4 books worth 50 points each. These students are those who have worked or are working with a reading interventionist and/or are a slow reader. The students will be required to talk to me about how many books they think they should be required to read. I will take into consideration several factors to help determine the requirement. I will discuss with the 5th grade teacher, reading interventionist, MAP Reading score and conversation with the student.
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Book guidelines are as follows:
150 pages = 1 book, 250 pages = 2 books, 350 pages = 3 books and so on. For example, if you read a book that has 265 pages it will count for two books.
Due Dates for books read and conferred are: (It is possible for these dates to change).
Trimester 1: First Six Weeks: Due Friday, October 8, 2021.
Trimester 1: Second Six Weeks: Due Friday, November 19 or Tuesday 23, 2021.
Trimester 2: First Six Weeks: Due Thursday, January 14, 2022.
Trimester 2: Second Six Weeks: Due Friday, February 25, 2022.
Trimester 3: First Six Weeks: Due Friday, April 22, 2022.
Trimester 3: Second Six Weeks: Due Thursday, May 27, 2022.
Materials Needed for Class:
1.Textbook 3. Chromebook 5. Binder w/ dividers/loose leaf
2. SSR Book 4. Sticky Notes 6. Highlighter/pencil/pen
Class Expectations:
1. Be prepared for class ( Have all materials and be ready to listen and follow directions)
2. Respect teacher, classmates, classroom environment and all property (including your own)
3. Read during SSR
4. Do your own work
5. Put forth your best effort at all times
Grade for Literature Class:
50% - SSR Conferences
40% -Tests, projects, work in the binder (includes vocabulary, responses, group work, exit tickets)
10% - homework, participation
All work must be completed. Any work that is three or more days late will receive only 80% credit. For example, if a student earns 90 points on an assignment that is worth 100 points and the assignment was turned in four days late, the student will receive 80% of 90 points, or 72 points. When an assignment is missing or late a zero will be entered for the grade. Once the assignment is handed in the new grade/score will be entered removing the zero.
Something NEW this year:
This year I will be teaching organization and study skills. The main focus will be with the 6th graders however I will be teaching some of these skills with the 7th graders, too!
Absence Policy:
After an absence, speak with Ms. Zipperer to find out what assignments/work you missed for the day. You will have one day per number of day(s) absent, to make up for the missing assignments.
We will have a great year in Literature class by everyone following the guidelines and expectations in the syllabus. Remember that the more you read the better reader you become!!! I can’t wait to help you become a better reader!
Ms. Zipperer
