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

My Education Graduated from Geneva College (Beaver Falls, PA) with a BA in Writing. Received M.Ed in secondary education from GCU Certified for English secondary education (grades 6-12) Expected completion of full Gifted endorsement by 2020

Teaching Experience This is my 1st year at Aprende Middle School. Previously, I have taught: ESL in South Korea (2010-2011) 8th and 10th grade ELA at Marion Center Jr./Sr. High School (2014-2018)

Who am I?

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 Dry erase markers/erasers

Mrs. Strength’s Classroom Shout Out Wall! 4-Corners and Philosophical Chairs AVID Wall Outside Bulletin Board

Reading Four thematic myPerspectives units that include various reading selections such as short stories, informational text, poetry, novels, and more: Rites of Passage, Holocaust, What Matters, and Human Intelligence. Accompanying novels for each unit (tentative): The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki, and 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, etc.

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 collaboration between teachers Syllabus for each course showing expectations and learning outcomes Learning compacts are in place for participation in GATE courses to ensure courses are rigorous

Criteria for Placement Initial placement of students as they transition into 6th grade includes Identification in one or more areas of giftedness AND/OR Multiple measures of high ability (e.g., AzMERIT proficiency, classroom grades, teacher recommendation) Full criteria available at https://www.kyrene.org/AdvPlacement Subsequent course placements are defined by the course of study

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 GATE ELA: text @stren1 to 81010 3rd Period ELA: text @stren3 to 81010 5th Period ELA: text @stren5 to 81010 7th Period ELA: text @stren7 to 81010

Potential Expenses for 8th Grade Yearbook The cost of a standard yearbook is about $30 – the price goes up towards the end of the year. Baby Ad is available for $25. This would allow you to submit a baby or childhood picture of your child and a personalized message to be included in the yearbook. The deadline to order a Baby Ad is early January – more info will come out when school begins. (Baby Ads are only available to 8th grade students.) 8th Grade Promotion Dance The fee for this dance ranges from $5 to $10. Big Surf This 8th grade field trip will be the last week of school. The fee is $20 and includes lunch. Disneyland for choir and band students The trip is in early February Ms. Figueroa and Mrs. Werner will provide information about the requirements for the trip and the fees.

Potential Expenses for 8th Grade cont. Mini Town This is a leadership training camp held in Prescott in February. All students are welcome to apply to this incredible opportunity. Applications available in November The fee is $185 and are due in January. Living History Trip Mr. Furman will be providing information about trip. The trip will take place second quarter The fee will be $297 and will be due two weeks prior to the trip. Sports Fall sports: cross country, boys soccer, and volleyball Winter sports: girls soccer, wrestling, boys basketball, girls softball, and spiritline. Spring sports: boys baseball, girls basketball, track & field. Fees range from $100 to $150 depending on the sport and are due when your student makes the team.

Meet and Greet Breakfast The Aprende Parent-Teacher organization 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 8th grade parents!

Questions? Please email me at lstrength@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)