WELCOME PARENTS! OPEN HOUSE LANGUAGE ARTS DEPARTMENT MRS. HEREDIA MRS. PATTERSON MRS. STEELE MRS. WELCH

Curriculum - Common Core Standards Standards: Literary Text Writing Speaking & Listening Language Informational Text WEBSITES:

GRADING POLICY Standards-based approach to grading Grade book will consist of fewer grades that help us determine whether or not students have mastered the language arts standards. Categories: AR – 15% Formative assessments (classwork/homework) – 35% Summative assessments – 50%

CURRICULUM 1 st quarter Unit: Who Am I?  Literary response  Personal Mission Statement  poetry  narrative writing  Novel: The Pearl by John Steinbeck  Speaking/Listening  We will explore the theme through a variety of short stories, poems, non-fiction, art, music, movies, discussions, picture books

LITERATURE STUDY GROUPS Novels, short stories/selections, poems Whole group, small groups, individually Novels:  The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros  The Pearl by John Steinbeck -Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare -Animal Farm by George Orwell -Lord of the Flies by Golding

ACCELERATED READER (AR) Students will be required to have an independent reading book (AR book at their level) at ALL times!!! They are expected to read at home EVERY night for a minimum of minutes! (HONORS should read for minutes) Students: take the STAR test to determine their GE (grade equivalency) and reading range set independent reading goal (point goal) based on GE check out books in their reading range take AR quizzes to earn points worth 15% of overall grade

MISSED AND LATE WORK It is the responsibility of the student to see me if they were absent Late assignments will be accepted with a reduction of 20% After 10 days, late work will be accepted for no more than half credit Missing assignments will be made up during Academic Lab/WHACT (Wednesday – end of the day) What is Academic Lab/WHACT? Wednesday Homework Activity Club Time Every Wednesday, students who have completed their work get to go have fun Students who have not completed assignments, need to make up/retake quizzes, or need extra help will be kept in for Academic Lab/WHACT RETAKING TESTS/QUIZZES Our school-wide policy states that students who have failed a test/quiz are given the opportunity to retake the test one time. Students must demonstrate that they have studied and understand the material before retaking a test. If he/she scores better on the retake, they will receive the higher grade.

MATERIALS NEEDED EACH DAY, students must bring:  Agenda  AR book  Pencil/highlighters/pen (blue or black ink)  Folder or a section in a 3-ring binder  Notebook (Reading Writing Notebook)  POSITIVE ATTITUDE!!!!!!

RTP – RESPONSIBLE THINKING PROCESS If a student is disrupting the class, they are asked a set of questions designed to help them think about their actions If a student chooses to continue disrupting the class, they are making the choice to leave They are given an RTC referral and sent to RTC to complete a behavior plan If a student continuously chooses to go to RTC, parents will be notified and there may be a meeting to address the problem

What is MYP (Middle Years Program) and how is it being implemented in my class? All students on our campus participate in the MYP program in grades 6-8 encourages international-mindedness in students Focuses on the Areas of interaction and the IB Learner Profile Traits and Community Service encourages a positive attitude to learning by challenging students to solve problems, show creativity and resourcefulness and participate actively in their communities reflects real life by allowing students to see the connections between subjects and how each is applicable to their lives now and in the future supports the development of communication skills to encourage inquiry, understanding, language acquisition, and to allow student reflection and expression

All teachers on campus us the four Areas of Interaction with their units/curriculum Community and Service – How do we live in relation to each other? How can I contribute to the community? How can I help others? Human Ingenuity – Why and how do we make new things? What are the positive and negative effects of inventions and creations? Environments – What are our environments? What resources do we have or need? How do we affect our environments and how does it affect us? What are my responsibilities? Health and Social Education – How do we think and act? How do people change? How can I look after myself and others? Approaches to Learning – (This AOI is present in ALL lessons/concepts/units) What strategies do I use to help me learn? How do I show that I understand? How do I learn best? How do I know if I understand

IB LEARNER PROFILE TRAITS What ALL students and teachers strive to be: Inquirer Knowledgeable Thinker Communicator Principled Open-Minded Caring Risk-taker Balanced Reflective

HOW TO REACH US Mrs. HerediaMrs. Steele Mrs. PattersonMrs. Welch Andersen Junior High Website:

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