1. Welcome to ELA Workshop with Mrs. McAuliffe in room 7 Please sit at the table where your child’s folder is located. Take a look inside and see your child’s work from ELA Workshop. Thank You! The “Parent Folder” is yours to take.

2. What is A.I.S? Your child is assigned to A cademic I ntervention S upport: Response to Intervention (R.T.I.) - Tier II (of three) Components, as described on District website : http://www.portnet.org/Page/11846 http://www.portnet.org/Page/11846 Tier II: delivered by a specialist (Reading or Speech/Language Teacher). At Weber, students are assigned ELA WORKSHOP during the day. It is not a pull-out class. It consists of small group instruction which are differentiated to meet the needs of the students in that group. Placement: Multiple methods of assessment are considered for placement and withdrawal in E.L.A. Workshop classes. The multiple assessments include, but are not limited to: N.W.E.A. fall, winter, and spring results, most recent N.Y.S. English Language Arts level score, and any other pertinent information related to a student's grade-level proficiency in the English Language Arts. Students are placed in classes based on his or her individual strengths and weaknesses. For more information, visit the English Department site: http://www.portnet.k12.ny.us/Page/1872 http://www.portnet.k12.ny.us/Page/1872

3. Who is Mrs. McAuliffe? I grew up in Valley Stream, on the south shore of Long Island. It’s my voice your children will hear during the Morning Announcements at Weber everyday! In the summer, I can be found at the beach. In the winter, I can be found on the ski slopes! I love Elvis and The Beatles, and I listen to Frank Sinatra (on my record player!) at home. I love teaching middle schoolers. This is my 15 th year teaching ELA Workshop in Port Washington, and my 30 th year in education. I have lived in Port Washington for 23 years with my husband and 3 children. My son Matt is in his final year at West Virginia University. My twin daughters Caroline and Madeline are 10 th graders at Schreiber. I attended East Stroudsburg University (B.S. Education), Fordham University (Reading Masters), and Stony Brook University (Advanced Certificate in Educational Administration).

4. Who Are You? You are someone who should keep in contact with me, your child’s teachers and school so that you are involved in their education. You are the most important influence in your child’s life. You have my support ! THINK ABOUT IT: Is reading an important pastime in your home? What are you reading? Does your child see you reading? (not emails or texts) Do you limit screen time? Are you always looking at your phone or another device screen? You should not believe that middle school means “total independence.” Your child still needs you 80% of the time to learn organizational, time management, and study skills!

5. What Will Your Child Do In ELA Workshop Class? Identify personal learning strength: auditory, visual, kinesthetic (hands-on). Testing: There will be no formal classroom tests. Tests will consist of diagnostic testing to identify comprehension strengths and weaknesses. This includes fluency reading, oral and silent reading passages, and comprehension checks. This will be done independently during class time with Mrs. McAuliffe throughout the year. Writing: identify techniques to write effectively: outline prewrite, personal word list, reference visuals, use study skills, and comprehension skills. Vocabulary: analyze word parts, improve vocabulary use in writing, identify Greek and Latin roots, understand affix meanings (prefix/suffix), and create an academic word list for personal use. Explore Study Skill techniques to identify which one/ones work for their learning style.

6. What Will Your Child Do In ELA Workshop Class? (continued) Comprehension: establish reading goals, connect key concepts and ideas to a central idea, use THIEVES, improve fluency, master retention skills with graphic organizers, read and reread AND become an active reader…not a passive reader. Independent Reading: I will support all core English class independent reading assignments. The first 10 minutes of class and every Thursday and Friday is Independent Reading time. Students must have reading material. Reading: Your child needs reading material for my class. This can be an assigned novel, appropriate magazine, newspaper, graphic novel, or rereading of classroom text. Proficient readers understand that readers comprehend, visualize, know an author’s name they love, and understand their personal learning style. Everyone can do it! Research: I will support research projects with reinforcement of ELA Workshop skills.

7. How Does The Brain Read Words? See more samples of how the brain reads words: http://www.portnet.org/Page/11238

8. There is too much textbook or worksheet reading in class and at home. How Do Middle Schoolers Feel About Reading And Writing? Reading takes a lot of my time; it’s like more school when I’m at home. I can pick out important details without reading everything, why should I read everything? Reading isn’t fun, it’s hard work. I can’t remember what I read. I don’t have a quiet place to read, so I don’t read. I can’t stay still long enough to pay attention to what I read. There are too many distractions for me: snacking, noise, and checking my phone—my friends text me a lot!

9. When Not In School…… The oldest Americans, meanwhile, read for more than an hour a day. Even on weekends and holidays, when there was more abundant free time, teenagers 15 to 19 only read for around 4 minutes a day. Graphic reference: http://mediaroom.scholastic.com/files/k frr2013-wappendix.pdf What has shown growth? E-books!

10. Class Procedures: The following requirements and procedures were explained in the student/parent/guardian letter that both students and their parent/guardian read and returned signed: Needed supplies Classroom expectations Lateness to class Extra Help dates 2 Homework assignments (no more): Label notebook in September and Quarterly Independent Reading. Contact Mrs. McAuliffe: smcauliffe@portnet.org Mrs. McAuliffe’s webpage includes class lessons and references for all grade levels.

11. Importance of Attendance “Good attendance includes good punctuality!”  If your child shows a pattern of absences not related to illness, Speech, Guidance, sectionals, or House Office requests, I will be contacting you. Missing ELA Workshop: Students may have a pass to report to Speech, Guidance, or a House Office at the start ELA Workshop class. Sectionals (music) attendance are permitted, but students need to stagger sectional attendance with another class. All work is completed in class; therefore, missed classwork will be completed in class, not assigned as homework.

12. EMAIL ADDRESSES: Weber is GREEN!!! Progress Reports & Report Cards will now be EMAILED. Please update your email address! If you prefer hard copy reports to be mailed please inform your child's house office.

13. THANK YOU! Mrs. Susan McAuliffe ELA Workshop Room 7 smcauliffe@portnet.org A copy of this presentation can be found on Mrs. McAuliffe’s webpage: http://www.portnet.org/Page/2354 QUESTIONS?COMMENTS?