1. Welcome Parents and Families!
Back to School Night 2017
Toll Middle School
Welcome Parents and Families!

2. Teacher of English, Instructional Coach Rm. 1125 Eweaver@gusd.net
Ms. Elizabeth Weaver
Teacher of English, Instructional Coach
Rm. 1125

3. Who am I? Glendale resident Occidental College
Degree in English and Comparative Literature
Masters Degree from Occidental
Summer Tutorial, University of Oxford, England
19th year in GUSD
Rocky’s Mom
I am a product of the Glendale Unified School District. I know the high standards of achievement we strive for. And I love this Dog!
Who am I?

4. Instructional Specialist Rm. 1215 mpiper@gusd.net
Ms. Morgen piper
Instructional Specialist
Rm. 1215

5. Who am I? New Mexico Bachelor's Degree 2004 - University of New Mexico
Major- University Studies/ Minor- Dance, Earth and Planetary Science, Child Development
Master's Degree - University of New Mexico
BCBA & EdS- in process Penn State
Hobbies: ukuleles, gardening, two stepping
I am a product of the Glendale Unified School District. I know the high standards of achievement we strive for. And I love this Dog!
Who am I?

6. OPENING DAY: “Using the materials on your desk, and working with your table mates, build a house.”

8. Guidelines Opening Activity Working together Use materials
Houses fell apart
Guidelines
21st Century Learning
Collaboration
Communication
Resources
Problem-Solving/Trying Again
Creativity

9. Tonight’s Information
Goals for the Year: Nurturing Habits of Mind
Learning in Room 1125
Helpful Hints
Information Resources
Reminder – students are responsible for reading and know the Honest Policy, Dress Code, and Electronic Devices Policy for the school.
Tonight’s Information

10. Goals for the Year: Nurturing Habits of Mind
Building curiosity and critical thinking

11. Learning Goal is LEARNING Mistakes = Learning Kids Question Kids Think
Solve Problems
Teacher is a learner
Learning

12. Why learning? nurturing habits of mind
Cognitive Ability
Creativity
Leadership
Humility
Ownership
Expertise
Why learning? nurturing habits of mind

13. Expectations for Classroom Learning
Learning in room 1125
Expectations for Classroom Learning

14. Curriculum: overview ONE theme throughout the year
Coordinated reading of fiction, poetry, and drama with informational texts aligned to Science and History
Reading and writing with rigor
Discussion with a focus on Intellectual Standards
Thematic units ending in an argumentative, synthesis paper (not persuasive)
Logical, precise, relevant and accurate use of multiples sources throughout the unit
Curriculum: overview

15. Reading: “Read like a detective”
Purposeful addition of non-fiction & informational text
Read for depth, not breadth
Generate questions based on observation
Fever 1793, Call of the Wild
Reading: “Read like a detective”

16. Writing: “Write like a reporter”
Use evidence from multiple sources
Make meaningful connections to real-world
Communicate more precisely and purposefully
Proficiency of multiple genre writing
Writing: “Write like a reporter”

17. Speaking & Listening: “Engage like an active citizen”
More student-to-student academic discussion
Develop accurate listening skills
Students develop & ask questions
Student collaborate and share ideas
Teachers guide/facilitate discussion
Speaking & Listening: “Engage like an active citizen”

18. Embedded language skills: Purposeful, clear & Concise Communication

19. Helpful hints for students
For academic and life-long success

20. What Students Need to Succeed
Willingness to Participate and Make Mistakes
Practice Critical Thinking
Homework – practice, develop skills
Study Skills – re-read/write notes
Ask Questions!
Growth Mindset
What Students Need to Succeed

21. Helpful hints for parents
For academic and life-long success

22. How can parents support students
Generally
Stay positive! Keep your expectations high! EVERY KID CAN DO IT!
Nutritional & physical needs, too!
See mistakes as opportunities to learn, not as failures. Give Praise!
Remove electronic devices at night and dinner time.
Remind students to grapple with new ideas; this creates a more critical thinker.
Encourage problem-solving by offering options rather than solutions.
Homework friendly environment
It’s okay if they don’t get the answer! It’s more important to reflect on how their thinking has gone awry.
So when you see them struggling remind them to stay positive, right a different way, and write out questions to bring to class tomorrow.
How can parents support students

23. Contact & Information
Supporting Student Learning

24. Contact: supporting student learning
Encourage student contact, first
Contact me EARLY, if you have questions
is fastest
(818) x1125
Morning CORE conferences
Contact: supporting student learning

25. Other support Welcome to visit & experience learning
We will always provide what your students need.
If you are able, your contributions are welcome!
facial tissue, sticky notes, pens, colored paper, copy paper . . .
Other support

26. Support for TOLL Toll Foundation – donations and activism
Parent Volunteers and Inclusion: Please Visit
Support for TOLL

27. Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Prize Writer
“Don’t limit a child to your learning for he was born in another time.”
Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Prize Writer

28. The End Thank you for coming to support your student!
Don’t forget to join the PTSA!