Welcome to Ms. Smith’s homeroom. Thank you for coming Welcome to Ms. Smith’s homeroom! Thank you for coming!  Please find your child’s schedule- they are spread out up front in alphabetical order.

Welcome to 7th AC Language Arts! Thank you for coming! (No, seriously… THANK YOU!)

You don’t have to take notes… …ALL of this will be on my blog!

About Ms. Smith “Beth” is the first name I go by, but official school documents might list my name as “Madelyn Smith” or “M. Smith.” To find out more about me than you ever wanted to know, please read the “Dear New Student” letter on my blog. When you send me an email, you must put the numeral 1 after my first name: beth1.smith@cobbk12.org

I want you to know that… … I am approachable and understanding; … just because I don’t give as much homework as other classes doesn’t mean that my class is not challenging; … I am human; I make mistakes; I welcome direct communication when issues arise; … I love my job; … I love your children.

Parent Homework If you wrote Mr. Cappucci or Mrs. Burchette a letter about your child and would be okay with me reading it as well, could you shoot me a quick email letting me know? Beth1.smith@cobbk12.org

PLEASE utilize my blog! cobblearning.net/bsmith Daily summary of class activities Links to helpful websites Handouts & other attachments Homework and long-term assignment reminders Tabs with info that applies throughout the year

Independent Reading 1 book per six weeks Must be 200+ pages, appropriate reading level Students can choose to complete a Double-Entry Diary OR one of the Creative Response Project choices All due dates are on blog & handout; can be turned in early

Independent Reading Students are required to have a book for personal reading EVERY DAY in AC LA. Only exception would be when a student finishes a book & needs to check out a new one Ebooks are fine with BYOD parent permission

Research based methods for learning vocabulary Focus is on roots, prefixes, and suffixes which will help with SAT and ACT Can’t really “study” for quizzes– doing the Membean work IS studying Standing homework assignment: (3) 15-minute sessions per week; best if done every other day; can do more but shouldn’t overload

Fall Novel Study The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer (does not count as independent reading) beginning Oct. 10. Great if student has his/her own copy, but not required. Students may leave their book with me. Students should NOT read ahead. It sabotages my use of the text for lessons on predicting, inferencing, foreshadowing, etc. AND students spoil the book for other students.  Parent letter will be on blog closer to October.

Duke Talent Identification Program Seventh graders must have a qualifying score on a standardized test in order to take the SAT or ACT Students earn recognition and possible invitation to Duke summer programs based on SAT/ACT score ALL info & registration details can be found online – Google “Duke TIP seventh grade” or check my blog