1. MRS. WIRTZ English Language Arts & Literature

2. Welcome! I am Mrs. Wirtz. Thank you so much for sharing your time with me this evening. Education –BA, BS Loyola University Chicago; MA DePaul University 11 th year at Gemini Married, two kids

3. English Language Arts English Language Arts & Literature English Language Arts is the study of skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the English language. Students will develop comprehension and communication skills. Students will develop reading strategies that they will be required to apply during independent and classroom reading. Students will use the writing process to communicate effectively and efficiently. This course will foster students’ ability to read critically, write effectively, and communicate efficiently, providing the foundation for career opportunities.

4. School Behavior Expectations Be on time Be Prepared Students are expected to follow school-wide and classroom rules. School-wide rules are outlined in your Student Handbook, and our classroom rules are as follows: Be Safe - to harbor a safe learning environment for all, we must take pride in, and be respectful with, our actions Be Respectful - to build a classroom community we must be respectful of each other’s ideas and beliefs Be Responsible -getting to class on-time, with materials Be Positive -to build a community of learners we must also be encouraging and positive towards ourselves and one another

5. Course Objectives Students are expected to complete the following course curriculum in ELA 800 & 820: Independent novel study - The 40 Book Challenge Reader’s Journey Whole-class novel study Writer’s Workshop Reader’s Workshop Word Generation (Catherine Snow Vocabulary Across the Content Areas)

6. Website www.emsd63.org, Gemini Junior High School, Teacher Websites www.emsd63.org  Jennifer Wirtz Homework assignments Contact Information Class Information Curriculum– coming soon!

7. Syllabus Can be found on website Rules and Expectations  Class Rules  Class developed  Class Expectations

8. Curriculum Common Core State Standards  20 Reading Standards, 10 Writing Standards, 6 Language Standards, 6 Speaking & Listening Standards  Reader’s Journey  Reading Literature & Informational Text  Novel Study  Reading Literature & Information Text  Word Study  Language, Reading Literature & Informational Text  Writing Workshop  Writing & Language  Grammar  Language & Writing  Class Activities  Speaking & Listening

9. Field Trips Shakespeare  Twelfth Night  March 7, 2016 Holocaust Museum End of year 8 th grade trip

10. Powerschool Check assignments Check grades Be in contact with teachers Log-ins and Passwords

11. Contact Information Please do not hesitate to contact me if you ever have questions or concerns! I can be reached the following ways: Email  jwirtz@emsd63.org Phone:  (847) 493.8551