1. Welcome to Ms. DeGraft-Hanson’s class! Aba DeGraft-Hanson 9 th Grade Language Arts E-mail: Aba_DeGraft_Hanson@gwinnett.k12.ga.u s Thank you for signing in at the front table

2. Who Am I? Grew up in Buford, Georgia & a proud Ghanaian! B.A. in Comparative Literature at Princeton University M.A.T. in English Education at Emory University Academic Team and Odyssey of the Mind club sponsor

3. What to expect this fall… How to Read Literature Like a Professor Short Stories To Kill a Mockingbird (Honors & Gifted) Anthem The Odyssey Greek and Latin Roots and Prefixes, Vocabulary Grammar through writing and targeted warm-ups Writing!

4. How will students be assessed? Essays and timed writings Reading and response journals Unit tests and quizzes Vocabulary quizzes Daily class work Participation in class discussions and Socratic Seminars Collaborative group activities

5. How will grades be calculated? Classroom Assessments – 35% (quizzes, classwork/daily work, homework) Summative Assessments – 45% (unit tests, major writing assignments, projects) Comprehensive Final Exam – 20% (essay performance exam and objective exam)

6. How can I keep track of my student’s progress? Class website – check regularly for class events, calendars, and projects Sign up for Gwinnett Parent Portal Electronic progress reports e-mailed weekly Convey concerns via e-mail or by phone Schedule a parent/teacher conference Schedule a parent/teacher conference

7. Essential Supplies Binder 5 tab dividers Notebook paper Composition book Blue/black ink pens Highlighters Also good to have: Post-it notes, index cards Ms. D’s Wish List Kleenex Expo markers Colored copy paper

8. Thank you for coming! Feel free to contact me anytime: Aba_DeGraft_Hanson@gwinnett.k12.ga.us (678) 929-8070