Greensburg Salem Middle School OPEN HOUSE Miss Liz Zeglin Language Arts 7 th Grade House A Room 261

Welcome Parents! Thank you for coming! Thank you to all parents who completed the parent contact information the first week. To set up a team conference, please contact the guidance office. Please look for your child’s biopoem t-shirt on the bulletin board.

About Me From Greensburg Graduate of Edinboro University of PA Master’s degree from Seton Hill University Certified to teach art, social studies, and English in PA Taught in Bangladesh and Egypt/subbed at various school districts 8th full year at GSMS

Curriculum Goals Improve reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in language arts according to PA state standards. Use Holt Elements of Literature textbook series as a skills-based approach to language arts. Prepare students for Reading PSSAs. Foster a life-long love of reading. Study spelling through student writing Study grammar and usage to improve writing.

Class Information Students will be evaluated through in-class writing, projects, quizzes, exams, Accelerated Reader, and cooperative learning activities. Progress notices can be checked online. If you would like to request a paper grade report, I will send one with your child. Regular homework will not be given. However, if your student is absent or tardy, he or she will be responsible for the missed assignments. Students should still study for exams and read at home on a regular basis.

Language Arts Curriculum September: Review grammar, the elements of prose, conflict, short story: “Amigo Brothers” October: Non-fiction unit/Research project November: Short story unit (suspense, foreshadowing, plot) December: Short story unit (theme, point of view) January: Poetry unit (analyzing poems, figurative language) February:

*All students need to provide for language arts is a pencil with an eraser. Students who use a lead pencil should also buy extra lead. *However, some students prefer to have their own set of highlighters, pens, thin markers, correction tape, and college- ruled loose leaf paper. We have class sets of materials but they need to be shared. *Students who sign out a language arts book also will need to cover it with a book cover.

Textbook Distribution *Students will not get a hardcopy of the textbook. No specific homework is assigned. Each enrichment teacher has been given copies of our textbook so students can catch up on make-up or late work. However, your student is free to check out a textbook at any point in the year. *Online textbook instructions will be given in class and will be posted on my website when students are entered. *All projects are completed in class.

Holt Rinehart Winston Elements of Literature First Course ml *To use the online textbook: USERNAME: gs+”student ID #) PASSWORD: student ID # Students can reread stories, listen to stories, and much more on the online book.

Accelerated Reader Program *Our AR program encourages students to read books that that choose. After selecting a book in the library, students read it, and then can take a quiz on their book. Each quarter, students need to earn ten AR points. *Students have reading time every Tuesday and Thursday during enrichment. *Students are encouraged to read at home.

Class Rules RewardsConsequences 1. Positive notes home 2. Educational games 3. Bonus points 4. Raffle ticket for a small prize 5. Stickers, pencils, gum, school supplies 6. Award certificates 7. The joy of learning and academic success 1 st offense: Non-verbal warning 2 nd offense: Verbal warning 3 rd offense: Processing sheet 4 th offense: Parent contact by note, phone, or 5 th offense: Three processing sheets- office referral/parent conference. 1. Raise your hand and wait to be recognized before speaking. 2. Sit and remain in your assigned seat unless you have permission to move. 3. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself. 4. Use appropriate language at all times. 5. Be respectful to all.

Contact Information * *Note: Send with child Phone: *My planning period is 8:30 to 9:30. If I get a phone message, I return it the following day. Please check my GSMS website for additional information and handouts: taff/staff.php?sectiondetailid=630

Questions?

Donations *We are always accepting donations of used young adult books and magazines. *If you have any old pens or pencils, I will gladly accept them for student use. *Hand sanitizer donations would also be appreciated! *Some parents donated subscriptions of Sports Illustrated for Kids but those are running out soon. However, we do get 30 magazines a month from Donor’s Choose as part of a grant. Thank you!

Donor’s Choose *To continue to build our classroom library and technology, I often create projects on Donor’s Choose. At times, I might send home a letter if there is a code that can be used to help our class. Any support you can give is appreciated! *IF we are funded, I will send a parent photo form. If you sign, your student will be in a picture that will be on the DC website. Also, in the past, we have been in the newsletter and newspaper. No photos will be used without permission.