Welcome to Meet the Teacher Night! AGENDA About Mrs. Seyffer Communication Classroom Expectations Curriculum Classwork/Homework WEB AVID Supply List Welcome – who lives in ….

About Mrs. Seyffer I have 3 years of teaching experience -- I previously taught 8th grade ELA in the Riverside Elementary School District in Tolleson I was born in the Philippines, moved to the U.S. when I was three, and grew up in North Phoenix I got my undergraduate and master’s degree at ASU. Go devils! I’ve been married for 8 years – my husband is an attorney in central Phoenix. In my free time, I like to cuddle up with my dog and read a book and work on my creative writing Welcome – who lives in ….

Communication Email: Website: Room Number: Phone Number: Office Hours: This reality will be created with the input and experiences of the Scholars that will make it a platform for their success.

English Language Arts Curriculum New District Curriculum-Pearson myPerspectives An Essential Question frames all unit activities and discussions All unit activities are backwards-designed to the Performance- Based Assessment given at the end of the unit, where students will demonstrate their learning by pulling together the content knowledge, skills, and learning habits they acquired, practiced, and engaged in throughout the unit. Three types of learning: Whole-Class Learning Small Group Learning Independent Learning Students will set goals, use self-assessment measures, and monitor and reflect on their learning. This reality will be created with the input and experiences of the Scholars that will make it a platform for their success.

English Language Arts Curriculum Unit 1: Childhood Essential Question: What are some of the challenges and triumphs of growing up? Performance-Based Assessment: Students will write a nonfiction narrative which tells about a real-life experience that answers the prompt of: When did a challenge lead to a triumph? Each unit consists of : Close reading Analyzing text Analyzing craft and structure Vocabulary development Writing to sources Speaking and listening Rigorous assessments-open book This reality will be created with the input and experiences of the Scholars that will make it a platform for their success.

ELA Class Novels Read 15 pages per day/night and fill out three sticky notes (can be on post-its, index card, paper) each day/night. Reading calendar to help stay on track; may read ahead Gallon size plastic bag to protect book Books must be at school daily! Additional homework This reality will be created with the input and experiences of the Scholars that will make it a platform for their success.

Daily Grammar Practice (DGP) In order to help students write better and write correctly, we must all share a common lingo, and that lingo is grammar. DGP is a research-based, simple, logical process that actually forces grammar concepts to move to long-term memory. DGP requires students to work with one sentence per week. For each day of the week, students have a different task to accomplish with the week’s sentence: Monday-label parts of speech Tuesday-label sentence parts Wednesday-label clauses and sentence types Thursday-punctuation and capitalization Friday-diagram the sentence DGP will be completed during the first 7-10 minutes of class Work will be completed in a single subject spiral notebook which will be left in class This reality will be created with the input and experiences of the Scholars that will make it a platform for their success.

Daily Reading and Writing “Every measure that looks at pleasure reading and its effects on student performance on standardized tests of reading ability-and science and math-tells us that the major predictor of academic success is the amount of time that a student spends reading. In fact, the top 5 percent of U.S. students read up to 144 times more than the kids in the bottom 5 percent. Nancie Atwell, The Reading Zone, p. 107 This reality will be created with the input and experiences of the Scholars that will make it a platform for their success.

What about 4th Period? 4th Period will be an extension of CORE classes: math, ELA, science and social studies. An example schedule for 6th grade would be: Monday 4th period = 1st period class Tuesday 4th period = 2nd period class Thursday 4th period = 5th period class Friday 4th period = 6th period class (NO 4th Period on Early Release Wednesdays) This reality will be created with the input and experiences of the Scholars that will make it a platform for their success.

Mindful of the World Around Us “Where Everyone Belongs” Mindful of the World Around Us 8th grade students befriend and mentor 6th grade students Activities geared toward building confidence, happiness, academic/AVID skills and a mindfulness of the world. All about making the 6th graders feel comfortable and proud to be at Centennial Middle School WEB Leaders will meet with 6th graders during Advisory at least once a month.

AVID Mission Statement: AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.   Advancement Via Individual Determination A structured, college and career preparatory system Used by nearly 4,000 schools in 45 states and 15 countries A school wide use of instructional strategies and rigor to support the curriculum

WICOR Strategies

AVID BINDER SUPPLY LIST BINDER ORGANIZATION 1. Binder Cover with Name, Grade and Home base 2.  Zipper Pouch with proper supplies at all times 3. School Agenda 4. Each Section Labeled (Labels: Lang. Art, Math, Science, Soc. St., Exploratory AM, Exploratory PM, Advisory, Paper) 5. Each Section Organized A. Labeled Divider B. Notes/Handouts C. Assessments D. Interactive Spiral Notebook (if required) 6. Loose Leaf Paper Students must have their CMS AVID agenda at ALL times. If it is lost or severely damaged it will cost $5 to replace. Also optional-ear buds

QUESTIONS?