Welcome, Parents! 8th Grade Language Arts Room 310 Heather Foltz “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”  ― George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons “Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here.” ~Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees

Welcome, Parents! 8th Grade Advanced Language Arts Room 310 Heather Foltz “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”  ― George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons “Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here.” ~Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees

About Me… Loved middle school! Language Arts was my favorite class. Earned my teaching degree at Montana State University in 2001 13 years of teaching experience in the Issaquah School District Earned my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in August 2016 Enjoy reading, playing with my kids, visiting D.C. with 8th graders Favorite book: Are you kidding, me?! I can’t choose. Excited for this school year!

Classroom expectations (in a nutshell) Be Safe Be Kind Be Respectful Be Your BEST

My Teaching Philosophy Students learn to read by reading and writing; students learn to write by reading and writing Students do their best reading and writing when given time, choice, and models (mentor texts) Questioning and discussion are powerful learning tools (student-centered) Students’ abilities to write, read, speak, and listen well will offer them the greatest range of choice in life

English Language Arts COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS Big Question: How and why is language POWERFUL?! Trimester One: Writing: Writer’s Workshop “How Writers Work”; Multi-genre Memoir Reading: Short Stories; Information Reading Upfront Magazine Grammar/Vocabulary in Context –SAT Word Power Vocabulary Cartoons Speaking/Listening Trimester Two Writing: Research Report Reading: The Outsiders (novel); Information Reading Upfront Magazine; Poetry Trimester Three Writing: Argument Essay Reading: Life Lessons Reader’s Workshop using McDougall Littell Literature Textbook; Information Reading Upfront Magazine

What can you expect in Advanced LA? Advanced reading selections in multiple genres Open-ended opportunities (design your own projects) Speaking and listening activities that require critical thinking (debate, Socratic Seminar, etc.) Held to a higher level of accuracy in writing (grammar) Sometimes an increased quantity of work, but not always.

Advanced English Language Arts COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS Big Question: How and why is language POWERFUL?! TRIMESTER 1 Writing: Writer’s Workshop “How Writers Work”; Multi-genre Memoir Reading: Shared Inquiry--Short Stories; Information Reading Upfront Magazine Grammar/Vocabulary in Context –SAT Word Power Vocabulary Cartoons Speaking/Listening- Shared Inquiry TRIMESTER 2 Writing: Research Report; Author/Genre Study Reading: Warriors Don’t Cry (Memoir); Information Reading Upfront Magazine; Poetry Speaking/Listening- Socratic Seminars TRIMESTER 3 Writing: Argument Essay Reading: Books That Change Lives Reader’s Workshop; Information Reading Upfront Magazine Speaking/Listening- Debate

Books That Change Lives A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman As You Like It by William Shakespeare and Paul Werstine Ph.D Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card Fifth Chinese Daughter by Jade Snow Wong Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder The Princess Bride by William Goldman The Return by Sonia Levitin The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Reader’s-Writer’s Notebook (RWN) A place to collect our thinking Used in class and at home “Standing” homework assignment Read for 7 half hours every 2 weeks Write 2 pages every 2 weeks “Liberty is great. I really enjoy all of my classes. We need a Readers-Writers-Notebook for Honors Lit and I immediately thought of your class!. . . I got lots of writing done this summer, which was great. Nora and I are doing a waterfall writing project, and I’m continuing one of the stories I started in my RWN. (Finally.)… I do still have my RWN. Don’t worry, I won’t get rid of it! It’s a treasured memento of 8th grade.” “I have enjoyed looking back on my RWN; it has helped me remember how I felt last year at this time. Also, I have enjoyed reading classics, which was because of your class too!”

Reader’s-Writer’s Notebook (RWN) A place to collect our thinking Used in class and at home “Standing” homework assignment Read for 8 half hours every 2 weeks Write 4 pages every 2 weeks “Liberty is great. I really enjoy all of my classes. We need a Readers-Writers-Notebook for Honors Lit and I immediately thought of your class!. . . I got lots of writing done this summer, which was great. Nora and I are doing a waterfall writing project, and I’m continuing one of the stories I started in my RWN. (Finally.)… I do still have my RWN. Don’t worry, I won’t get rid of it! It’s a treasured memento of 8th grade.” “I have enjoyed looking back on my RWN; it has helped me remember how I felt last year at this time. Also, I have enjoyed reading classics, which was because of your class too!”

Grades (SCORE: 3=consistently; 2=sometimes; 1=rarely) Categories and Weights Assessment = 100% (Tests, Quizzes, Presentations, Projects, Essays, Learning Checks, etc.) Retakes and Resubmissions… Student Success Indicators = 0% (WICC) shown through daily work and homework, these non-achievement skills will not be directly calculated in the student’s grade, but they do have a significant impact on student learning. (SCORE: 3=consistently; 2=sometimes; 1=rarely) Work Habits: work quality, work completeness, work punctuality Initiative: self-advocacy, reflection, persistence (GRIT!) Collaboration: teamwork, inclusion, participation Citizenship: integrity, conduct, respect

How can you help your child be successful in Advanced LA? Encourage reading at home Model reading Ask questions about his/her reading Make books available Encourage your child to self- advocate

Book Recommendation…(optional) On a notecard, please write the following information: Line 1: Title of book (appropriate for 8th grade students) Line 2: Author Line 3: Genre Line 4: # of pages With the remaining lines, please write a short (2-3 sentence) summary of the book AND one sentence explaining why you recommend this book. THANK YOU! YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE THIS!

Information/contact me Web site Email (best option) foltzh@issaquah.wednet.edu Telephone 837-6920 Office Hours 2:40-4:00 M,T,F 3:35-4:30 W PLEASE LEAVE THE PENS AND PENCILS!