APRENDE 8th Grade Language Arts 2018-2019 Mrs. Coombs

My Education Graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State with a BA in English literature Received M.Ed in secondary education from ASU Certified for secondary education (grades 6-12) Endorsed in middle school language arts and high school English Hold provisional gifted endorsement with expected completion of full endorsement by 2020

Teaching Experience This is my 5th year at Aprende Middle School and my 6th year in the Kyrene District Last year, I was an inaugural recipient of Kyrene’s “Top 25” teacher award Previously, I have taught: 6th grade language arts at Kyrene Middle School 11th and 12th grade English at Desert Vista High School 7th and 8th grade humanities at Liberty Arts Academy

Supply List Notebook (no perforated pages) Highlighters: blue, pink, yellow, green (no color substitutions) 1 pad of Post It notes Any color grading pen (except black) Pencils and erasers (if mechanical, please purchase extra lead; if traditional, please purchase hand held pencil sharpener) Loose leaf paper (can donate to classroom supply instead of carrying around) 1” flexible poly binder (for myPerspectives units) Pocket folder (buy a back-up to keep at home?)

Suggested Donations Post It Notes Paper (lined or printer paper—white or color) Pencils. Lots and lots of pencils! Coloring supplies Highlighters Index Cards

Reading Four thematic units that include various reading selections such as short stories, informational text, poetry, novels, and more: Rites of Passage Holocaust What Matters Human Intelligence Accompanying novels: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass

Writing Narrative, argumentative, and expository pieces Strong focus on refining all the essay skills students have learned in middle school thus far: Incorporating and explaining textual information Analyzing arguments and crafting counter- arguments Organizing information Proper MLA format

Language Vocabulary: Determine the meaning of an unknown word using context clues and Greek and Latin roots. Grammar: Dissecting sentences in writing in order to analyze verbals, verb mood, as well as active and passive voice.

Speaking and Listening One-on-one, group, and teacher-led discussions in the form of Philosophical Chairs, Socratic Seminars, and other AVID strategies Presentations of work, including visual displays and/or multimedia components Interpretation of speeches and multimedia presentations Adaptation of speech appropriate to context

GATE: What to Expect Courses are taught by a content specialist (GATE teacher) Updated curriculum guides for all GATE courses Address challenge, complexity, choice and control Provide extension and enrichment Consistency across schools and teachers Syllabus for each course (will go home next week) Learning compacts are in place for participation in GATE courses to ensure courses are rigorous

GATE: Criteria for Placement Initial placement of students includes consideration of: Identification in one or more areas of giftedness Multiple measures of high ability (e.g., AzMERIT proficiency, classroom grades, teacher recommendation) Full criteria available at https://www.kyrene.org/AdvPlacement

Why read 20 minutes at home every day? Student A Student B Student C Reads 20 minutes per day = 3,600 minutes per school year = 1,800,000 words per year Reads 5 minutes per day = 900 minutes per school year = 282,000 words per year Reads 1 minute per day = 180 minutes per school year = 8,000 words per year       Scores in the 90th percentile on standardized tests Scores in the 50th percentile on standardized tests Scores in the 10th percentile on standardized tests

Why read 20 minutes at home every day? Assuming these students started reading each day in kindergarten, by the end of 6th grade: Student A will have read for the equivalent of 60 school days, Student B will have read for 12 school days, and Student C will have read for 3. Want to be a better reader? It’s easy: just read.

Text Reminders Sign up for language arts text reminders! If your child is in... 1st Period ELA: text @8coombs1 to 81010 3rd Period ELA: text @8coombs3 to 81010 5th Period GATE ELA: text @8coombs5 to 81010 7th Period GATE ELA: text @8coombs7 to 81010

Potential Expenses for 8th Grade Yearbook The cost of a standard yearbook is about $30 Baby Ad is available for $25 8th Grade Promotion Dance The fee for this dance ranges from $5 to $10 Big Surf Field trip the last week of school Fee is $20 (includes lunch)

Potential Expenses for 8th Grade Disneyland Trip For performing arts students in early February Explo teachers will provide more information Sports Fees range from $100 to $150 depending on the sport, and they are due when your student makes the team.

Potential Expenses for 8th Grade Mini Town Leadership training camp held in Prescott in February Application to attend typically opens in November Fee of $185 (due in January) Living History Trip Mr. Furman will provide more information Takes place second quarter Fee of $297 and will be due two weeks prior to the trip

Meet and Greet Breakfast The Aprende PTSO will be sponsoring a meet- and-greet breakfast for all 8th grade parents on: Wednesday, August 15th 7:45 am to 8:25 am Please join us for a continental breakfast and a chance to socialize with other eighth grade parents!

Questions? Please email me at scoombs@kyrene.org with any questions you may have that we didn’t get a chance to answer tonight! Please include: Your name AND your student’s name Your question(s)