My Philosophy of Teaching and Learning:  I believe that my role in your student’s education is one of coach and mentor, fostering and modeling the core values of respect, responsibility, and caring.  I endeavor to create a safe space where we can share ideas, explore literature and great writings, and create through self-expression.  I am committed to your student’s academic progress; I hope to challenge your student everyday to be his/her very best.  In order to ensure your student’s success, we will need to develop a triangle of collaboration between the student, the parent, and the teacher/team.  Every action I take as an educator is with the end-goal in mind of helping your student to become more considerate, thoughtful, diligent, resourceful, and organized: someone who can set and achieve goals now and in the future.

Website Throughout the year, I will be updating my website to include useful links to classroom content and copies of course materials distributed in class, as well as activities and assignments to assist your students with various concepts addressed by our curriculum.  Course Expectations  Homework Assignments  Extra Copies

Skills to Prepare for High School English  Enhance Active Engagement and Independent Reading  Develop Reflections in Depth and Complexity  Connect Texts Across a Wide Variety of Genres and Other Areas of Content Knowledge  Create a Resilient Attitude when Confronted with Challenge  Write in a Variety of Modes with Creativity and Fluency

Major Units of Study  Memoir  Archetypes: Folktales, Fables, Legends, & Mythology  Anne Frank & the Holocaust  Historical Fiction  Poetry  Shakespeare

Grading Breakdown  Homework:10%  Classwork:10%  Quizzes10%  Tests 20%  Projects20%  Essays20% _____ 100%

What do the letters in HAC represent?  Z = Collected or Checked assignment that is calculated as a zero, but CAN be made up  0 = Zero credit was earned for the assignment  X = Excused from the assignment  M = Excused for medical reasons  More than 100% = Bonus points were earned for this assignment

Communication  HAC is our online grading and communication system. It is a way to track work completion and student performance.  Upcoming assignments, assignment materials, and other classroom paperwork is available through my website.  Both HAC and Ms. Azeff’s website allow parents and students to stay informed on our activities.  Team 8-1 sends a monthly newsletter via to keep parents aware of classroom activities and upcoming areas of study.  alerts will be sent out to parents about independent reading on a monthly basis.

Late Work Policy  All assignments are expected to be turned in on the due date.  Nightly homework will receive full credit on the due date. One day late = 50% credit; two or more days late = no credit.  Long-term assignments, if turned in late, will receive a 10% deduction for each day late. After 5 days, the maximum possible grade is 50% of the earned score. No credit after 10 school days.  Late work is better than no work!

Assignments  Graded homework can be expected 2-3 nights per week. Reading should be a nightly routine (approximately 20+ minutes).  Major projects will always allow for a weekend before the due date.  Assignments are updated regularly on my website.  Students should be reviewing the concepts discussed in class minutes per night.  Most assignments will be started in class, then completed at home independently.

Journals for Active Reading

Activities to Look Forward to…  iRead - Banned Books Week  Competitions - Young Authors/Young Poets; Cricket Magazine; Boeing STEM Essay Contest  Active Reading with Post-its  Memoir Writing  Reading & Writing Workshops  Acting Out Shakespeare!

Thank you so much for coming tonight! I anticipate a great year! Please feel free to contact us with any questions.