Welcome to 8 th Grade! Ms. Ivery Room 105

Let the Fun Begin! 8 th grade is your last year of Middle School! This year will be full of opportunities to learn a lot, make new friends, and face new challenges. I am honored and excited to be a part of this year with you! Together we will grow and learn as people, intellectuals, and contributing members of society.

What to Expect From 8 th Grade 8 th grade is the end of the road here at Greenwood Middle. This year you will be expected to model and demonstrate leadership, responsibility, and good character.

What to Expect, Continued That being said, 8 th grade always has a lot of DRAMA! My advice: Do your best to stay out of it! If you don’t want someone talking about you behind your back, then do not talk about someone else. If you have an ongoing problem with another student, feel bullied or threatened, the best thing to do is have an adult intervene. You can be moved to a new seat.

What to Expect from 8 th grade Language Arts This year we will read, analyze, and discuss: –Fiction (including Science Fiction and Horror) –Non-Fiction –Poetry –Drama

What to Expect from 8 th Grade L.A. We will also: –Write essays (not just a few paragraphs) –Keep journals –Do projects –Research papers –Give Presentations –Work in Groups –Learn to give speeches and debates

Grades How you will be graded in class: –30% Portfolio Projects –25% Essays –30% Tests & Quizzes –15% Homework

What Materials Do I Need? The Following are Required! –Black & Dark Blue Pens –College-ruled loose leaf paper –Gel ink pens –Glue sticks/tape –Marble composition book –5 subject notebook –Your Agenda!! The Following would be good to have: –Tissues –Hand Sanitizer –Paper Clips –A personal Stapler –Band-Aids –Highlighters

Class (Rules)Policies There are only five basic classroom policies. Following these policies will help keep our class environment peaceful and productive. If you choose not to adhere to the policies, there will be logical consequences.

Why do we have policies? A policy is a plan that guides our actions. To do things effectively, we have to adhere to some common sense policies: –Governments invoke laws to help maintain peaceful communities. –Companies have by-laws in order to facilitate productive work environments. –Games have rules to create a baseline standard of play. »So, to be successful in learning, you need to follow some basic classroom rules! I call them my class policies.

Rule 1 Be here on Time! Class starts when the bell rings. Be here ready to Learn! If you are not in your seat when the bell rings, you are tardy. If you are tardy, you will get a conduct point and that is not good. Stay in your seat unless you have permission to get up, even if you have to throw away trash, or anything else.

Rule 2 Come to Class Prepared. In order to do your best in this class you must bring all your materials. That includes your Agenda, pens, paper, INB, Journal, novel and Language Arts textbook (when required) Do not lend your textbook to others because it will likely get lost or damaged, and then YOUR parents have to pay to replace it!

Rule 3 Respect all Students, Adults, School, and Personal Property. I do not like writing referrals, but you will get them for defiance, bullying, rude behavior, arguing, etc. You are responsible for your own behavior and decisions! Follow the Rules and keep each other accountable! Please pick up all trash that may accumulate around your desk, and throw it away before you leave class.

Rule 4 No Cell phones, ipods, or electronic games allowed in the classroom! I will catch you texting or playing and I will take away your phone or other device and give it to an administrator. If your parents need to reach you during school hours, they can call the school school office at (919)

Rule 5 No Gum or Food in Class! I don’t mind if you have bottled water as long as you clean up after yourself. No gum. Gum usually ends up under the desks, on the floor, or in hair. Please spit out your gum as you come into class.

Consequences for Rule Violations Conduct point Teacher conference Parent notification Chill Out ISS OSS –Consequences are based on a continuum.

Why Do We Have Procedures? A procedure is the way that we do things. To do things efficiently, we have to follow some simple procedures, for example: –To open your locker, you have to select your combination as directed by the lock manufacturer. –To cook a delicious meal, you need to follow the steps in the recipe. –To place a call on your phone, you need to dial the number in the right order. »So, to be successful in learning, you need to follow some simple procedures!

ENTRANCE Make sure you have all necessary materials for the class. Enter the classroom quietly. Pick up any handouts and reading materials. Do any housekeeping items quickly and quietly. Go directly to your assigned seat. Get ready for work.

Right After the Bell Rings Immediately start your entry task. When you finish, begin reading your self- selected novel.

During Instruction Listen to the teacher/speaker with full attention. No pencil sharpening, talking, moving about the classroom, or whispering. Ask permission to speak by raising your hand and waiting quietly to be called on. After instruction, make sure you understand the concept. If not, ask questions by mentioning which part you didn’t understand.

If the Teacher Raises Her Hand or Asks for Your Attention Stop whatever you are doing at that moment. Face the teacher and wait silently. Quietly, notify any classmates who haven’t noticed that the teacher has asked for attention. No talking or whispering. All of your attention should be given to the teacher.

While You Are Working Make sure you read or listen to the directions about your work and understand the directions. If you didn’t understand, quietly ask for help from other students sitting around you. If you are asked to help, be polite and help. Talking to each other should be no louder than a whisper. Respect each other and be friendly. Use your time wisely. Put forth your best effort to finish your work on time.

When You Are Absent Ask your neighbors what we did. If you have questions about assignments, check with the teacher at an appropriate time. Do the work at home. If you missed a test because of an excused absence, inform the teacher and arrange a time to make up the test. You will have one day to make-up work for every day you are absent.

After You Are Finished Check your work and the directions one more time to see if you missed anything or did something incorrectly. Check to see if the heading is written correctly on your paper. If the assignment is to be turned in, do so. Check the Choice Board to see what assignment options you have. If there are none listed, reading quietly is always an option.

Maintaining the Classroom Pick up any garbage 2mm in diameter or more. Recycle papers (4x4 inches or more), plastic bags, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles. Do not intentionally deface school, personal, or other’s personal property.

Dismissal Clean your work area and take all garbage to the trash can. Wait in your seat for the teacher to dismiss you. Leave quietly, ONLY after you have been given permission to do so.

More Attendance Procedures Unexcused absences do not need to go through the attendance office. Just come straight to class. If you are late to class (and arrived to school on time), you will be given a conduct point! »If this absence will be excused, bring a note from the teacher or staff member when you come to class.

When There Is a Substitute We treat guests in our room as courteously or better than we treat Ms. Ivery. –Sit in your assigned seat ONLY (if applicable). –Maintain proper voice levels. –Remain on task. –Be helpful and courteous. »Subs will report behaviors (good & bad) and proper consequences will be applied.

About Me

Facts This is my 5th year at Greenwood Middle I have Master’s Degree from North Carolina State University. I am married to and divorced from the same man at the same time. I have Two children and Four grandchildren I was born in Washington DC I have three brothers and one sister I love Romance movies and books My favorite kind of food is Crab anything My favorite kind of music is Gospel (traditional) I love to travel and eat at nice restaurants

Pictures of Former Students

Military Exits

Final Thought “Learning without reasoning leads to confusion; thinking without learning is wasted effort.” ~Confucius