Miss Fisher’s Class I am looking forward to a great year with your children!

Contact Information Best way to contact me is by Best way to contact me is by –Can also directly from ParentVue Can also contact by phone Can also contact by phone –(630) Before school is the best time

My Philosophy of Education All children can learn All children can learn Learning should be fun Learning should be fun Children also learn from each other Children also learn from each other Teaching must include variety, flexibility, and individualization Teaching must include variety, flexibility, and individualization

Educational Background Went to Hawthorne, Franklin, Wheaton North Went to Hawthorne, Franklin, Wheaton North Undergraduate B.A. in Speech Communications from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Undergraduate B.A. in Speech Communications from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Masters in Education from DePaul University Masters in Education from DePaul University Masters in Administration and Leadership from National Lewis University Masters in Administration and Leadership from National Lewis University

Other Information This is my 18 th year teaching at Franklin This is my 18 th year teaching at Franklin Team leader/member of Franklin Instructional Team Team leader/member of Franklin Instructional Team Direct All-School Play and Variety Show Direct All-School Play and Variety Show Coach 8 th Grade Girls Track Coach 8 th Grade Girls Track Supervise Cafeteria Supervise Cafeteria

New Curriculum Common Core has been adopted Common Core has been adopted Use many of the same pieces of literature Use many of the same pieces of literature Order it is taught may be different in the past Order it is taught may be different in the past Common vocabulary with high school Common vocabulary with high school All 8 th grade LA teachers planning together All 8 th grade LA teachers planning together Areas: Writing, Reading Literature, Reading Informational Texts, Speaking and Listening, and Language Areas: Writing, Reading Literature, Reading Informational Texts, Speaking and Listening, and Language

New Curriculum – my role Member of committee to create curriculum Member of committee to create curriculum Created local assessments for FPLA reading Created local assessments for FPLA reading Gave input on local assessments for regular 8 th grade local reading assessment Gave input on local assessments for regular 8 th grade local reading assessment English-Language Arts Department Leader English-Language Arts Department Leader

Literature Not all novels will be read – this is a sample of options Short Stories – Multiple titles to review literary terms Short Stories – Multiple titles to review literary terms Mystery – And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Mystery – And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Science Fiction – Memory Boy and The Giver Science Fiction – Memory Boy and The Giver Historical Fiction – Various novels set during times they will be studying in the history class, including the following: Great Depression (Truth About Sparrows and No Promises in the Wind), Civil Rights Movement(The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963), and World War II (Friedrich, Torn Thread, and Goodnight, Mr. Tom). Historical Fiction – Various novels set during times they will be studying in the history class, including the following: Great Depression (Truth About Sparrows and No Promises in the Wind), Civil Rights Movement(The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963), and World War II (Friedrich, Torn Thread, and Goodnight, Mr. Tom). Realistic Fiction – The Outsiders Realistic Fiction – The Outsiders Classic – Animal Farm by George Orwell, Call of the Wild by Jack London, and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Classic – Animal Farm by George Orwell, Call of the Wild by Jack London, and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Non-Fiction – Anne Frank, The Story of My Life, Bad Boy, Cheaper by the Dozen, and various articles Non-Fiction – Anne Frank, The Story of My Life, Bad Boy, Cheaper by the Dozen, and various articles Poetry – Various poets and types of poetry Poetry – Various poets and types of poetry

Writing Informative Informative Argument Argument Research Research Narrative/Creative Narrative/Creative Journal – Reflections on reading Journal – Reflections on reading Free Write – Brainstorming ideas Free Write – Brainstorming ideas Using specific examples for support Using specific examples for support

Vocabulary Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes – breaking down words Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes – breaking down words Words from novels Words from novels Use of context clues Use of context clues

Social-Emotional Learning Develop self-awareness and self- management skills to achieve school and life success Develop self-awareness and self- management skills to achieve school and life success Use social awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships Use social awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships Demonstrate decision-making skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts Demonstrate decision-making skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts

Goals Setting goals and achieving them Setting goals and achieving them –Goal (challenging, specific, achievable) –Plan –Action –Reflection

Explore Testing and High School Test administered September 19 Test administered September 19 Test scores, grades, and teacher input used for high school placement Test scores, grades, and teacher input used for high school placement Counselors visit LA classes in January/February for registration Counselors visit LA classes in January/February for registration Ultimate decisions are yours Ultimate decisions are yours

Thank you for coming tonight! PTA information Check out your child’s personality poster!