1. Mrs. Chris Forster 8 th Grade Advanced Language Arts 2014-2015 "Knowledge becomes power only when we put it into use.” Anonymous

2. My Background 34 th Year Teaching 34 th Year Teaching –26 th Year in RCS. 12 th Year at VH –Previous: University Hills, West, Oxnard, CA Centerline. Studied: MSU, OU, UM. Studied: MSU, OU, UM. District - Teacher Leader 11 years, ELA Pilot & Review Team, New Teacher Mentor, Student Teacher Mentor, AARI Training; SIP Writing, Visible Thinking from Harvard’s Project Zero, Think from the Middle Presenter District - Teacher Leader 11 years, ELA Pilot & Review Team, New Teacher Mentor, Student Teacher Mentor, AARI Training; SIP Writing, Visible Thinking from Harvard’s Project Zero, Think from the Middle Presenter

3. Curriculum & the Common Core Common Core – Standards and Benchmarks Common Core – Standards and Benchmarks –Goal might be to identify how setting affects plot Curriculum – the materials and units used to meet goals. Curriculum – the materials and units used to meet goals. –i.e. Unit 4: Analyzing Theme & Symbol

4. How is this class “Advanced" Higher level reading materials Higher level reading materials Higher expectations for writing Higher expectations for writing Higher level questions & in-depth answers that analyze selections Higher level questions & in-depth answers that analyze selections

5. How is this class “Advanced" Special emphasis on the reading/writing connection Special emphasis on the reading/writing connection Complex Sentence Structure Complex Sentence Structure More independent work More independent work –Projects, presentations

6. Advanced Writing Critical Response Critical Response Audience Awareness Audience Awareness –Logical, emotional, etc., Contests Contests –Patriot’s Pen –America & Me –Women’s History Month

7. Research Evaluating Sources Evaluating Sources Note taking & Outlining Note taking & Outlining Paraphrasing/Plagiarism Paraphrasing/Plagiarism Writing Writing –Thesis statements –Supporting statements

8. Why is ALA 8 So Hard? All work is assessed based on merit and quality. No credit is given simply for finishing work. All work is assessed based on merit and quality. No credit is given simply for finishing work. Expectation for answers is to cite multiple pieces of textual evidence and use that evidence to analyze selections for rhetorical devices. Expectation for answers is to cite multiple pieces of textual evidence and use that evidence to analyze selections for rhetorical devices.

9. What is a good answer? Specific details are “lifted” from the text to support any inferences made. Specific details are “lifted” from the text to support any inferences made. Includes enough elaboration to completely answer the question. Includes enough elaboration to completely answer the question. Responses reflect deep understanding of text. Responses reflect deep understanding of text.

10. How do the actions of Napoleon exemplify the phrase “Power Corrupts?”

11. Weak Response Napoleon was corrupt. He had trained the dogs so they chased Snowball out of the farm and anytime someone tried to speak out about this his dogs would threaten the animal by growling at them. Napoleon was corrupt. He had trained the dogs so they chased Snowball out of the farm and anytime someone tried to speak out about this his dogs would threaten the animal by growling at them.

12. Strong Response... Napoleon used his position to manipulate the animals and get what he wanted. Squealer convinced the other animals the pigs needed more luxuries and benefits because they were the brains of the farm. Soon, Napoleon began changing the commandments. Napoleon trained the puppies in private, and used them to run his former partner, Snowball, off the farm. None of the other animals can question him, and he maintains power through fear of his dogs....... Napoleon used his position to manipulate the animals and get what he wanted. Squealer convinced the other animals the pigs needed more luxuries and benefits because they were the brains of the farm. Soon, Napoleon began changing the commandments. Napoleon trained the puppies in private, and used them to run his former partner, Snowball, off the farm. None of the other animals can question him, and he maintains power through fear of his dogs....

13. Grading and Evaluation Based on total points Based on total points Reports, projects, and compositions scored using a rubric. (4-100 points) Reports, projects, and compositions scored using a rubric. (4-100 points) Tests 20-100 points Tests 20-100 points Quizzes 5-25 points Quizzes 5-25 points

14. Grade Spreadsheets Please note that I grade on TOTAL POINTS. Please note that I grade on TOTAL POINTS. –An assignment that is worth only a few points often shows up on a Progress Report as low score when it actually has little effect on the grade. –i.e. 3/4 + 18/20 + 27/30 = 48/54 = 89% 75% + 90% + 90% = = 85% 75% + 90% + 90% = = 85%

15. Extra Credit Extra Credit is not available for students in ALA. Extra Credit is not available for students in ALA. Correcting and Returning work Correcting and Returning work –Only First Quarter –Only if score is not passing.

16. Special Scores –NHI = Not Handed In Your student was here but did not have his/her assignment. Your student was here but did not have his/her assignment. –AB Child out when work was assigned or corrected Child out when work was assigned or corrected –IP = In Progress Student has not completed absent work, but he/she has received the assignment Student has not completed absent work, but he/she has received the assignment

17. Late Assignments  Students are expected to turn work in on time!  Late work will accepted but will be penalized.

18. Checking Progress My RCS – Allows you to access your student’s information. My RCS – Allows you to access your student’s information. Make sure I have your email address. Make sure I have your email address. Twitter – MrsForsterLA Twitter – MrsForsterLA Webpage – I post lesson plans. Webpage – I post lesson plans. – –Although there might be slight changes, you will know about important due dates.

19. Rules Be respectful of people and property Be respectful of people and property Do your best work. Do your best work. Cell phones must be on desk face down. Cell phones must be on desk face down.

20. Communication School phone: (248)726-4900 School phone: (248)726-4900 –My extension is 4941 –I am available after school or from 10:54- 11:51 Van Hoosen Website Van Hoosen Website E-mail: cforster@rochester.k12.mi.us E-mail: cforster@rochester.k12.mi.uscforster@rochester.k12.mi.us Twitter: @MrsForsterLA Twitter: @MrsForsterLA

21. Thank You "Consider the postage stamp; its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing until it gets there." Josh Billings