1. APRENDE 8th Grade Language Arts 2018-2019
Mrs. Coombs

2. My Education
Graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State with a BA in English literature
Received M.Ed in secondary education from ASU
Certified for secondary education (grades 6-12)
Endorsed in middle school language arts and high school English
Hold provisional gifted endorsement with expected completion of full endorsement by 2020

3. Teaching Experience
This is my 5th year at Aprende Middle School and my 6th year in the Kyrene District
Last year, I was an inaugural recipient of Kyrene’s “Top 25” teacher award
Previously, I have taught:
6th grade language arts at Kyrene Middle School
11th and 12th grade English at Desert Vista High School
7th and 8th grade humanities at Liberty Arts Academy

4. Supply List Notebook (no perforated pages)
Highlighters: blue, pink, yellow, green (no color substitutions)
1 pad of Post It notes
Any color grading pen (except black)
Pencils and erasers (if mechanical, please purchase extra lead; if traditional, please purchase hand held pencil sharpener)
Loose leaf paper (can donate to classroom supply instead of carrying around)
1” flexible poly binder (for myPerspectives units)
Pocket folder (buy a back-up to keep at home?)

5. Suggested Donations Post It Notes
Paper (lined or printer paper—white or color)
Pencils. Lots and lots of pencils!
Coloring supplies
Highlighters
Index Cards

6. Reading
Four thematic units that include various reading selections such as short stories, informational text, poetry, novels, and more:
Rites of Passage
Holocaust
What Matters
Human Intelligence
Accompanying novels:
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki
A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass

7. Writing Narrative, argumentative, and expository pieces
Strong focus on refining all the essay skills students have learned in middle school thus far:
Incorporating and explaining textual information
Analyzing arguments and crafting counter- arguments
Organizing information
Proper MLA format

8. Language
Vocabulary: Determine the meaning of an unknown word using context clues and Greek and Latin roots.
Grammar: Dissecting sentences in writing in order to analyze verbals, verb mood, as well as active and passive voice.

9. Speaking and Listening
One-on-one, group, and teacher-led discussions in the form of Philosophical Chairs, Socratic Seminars, and other AVID strategies
Presentations of work, including visual displays and/or multimedia components
Interpretation of speeches and multimedia presentations
Adaptation of speech appropriate to context

10. GATE: What to Expect
Courses are taught by a content specialist (GATE teacher)
Updated curriculum guides for all GATE courses
Address challenge, complexity, choice and control
Provide extension and enrichment
Consistency across schools and teachers
Syllabus for each course (will go home next week)
Learning compacts are in place for participation in GATE courses to ensure courses are rigorous

11. GATE: Criteria for Placement
Initial placement of students includes consideration of:
Identification in one or more areas of giftedness
Multiple measures of high ability (e.g., AzMERIT proficiency, classroom grades, teacher recommendation)
Full criteria available at

12. Why read 20 minutes at home every day?
Student A
Student B
Student C
Reads 20 minutes per day = 3,600 minutes per school year = 1,800,000 words per year
Reads 5 minutes per day = 900 minutes per school year = 282,000 words per year
Reads 1 minute per day = 180 minutes per school year = 8,000 words per year
     
Scores in the 90th percentile on standardized tests
Scores in the 50th percentile on standardized tests
Scores in the 10th percentile on standardized tests

13. Why read 20 minutes at home every day?
Assuming these students started reading each day in kindergarten, by the end of 6th grade:
Student A will have read for the equivalent of 60 school days,
Student B will have read for 12 school days, and
Student C will have read for 3.
Want to be a better reader? It’s easy: just read.

14. Text Reminders Sign up for language arts text reminders!
If your child is in...
1st Period ELA: to 81010
3rd Period ELA: to 81010
5th Period GATE ELA: to 81010
7th Period GATE ELA: to 81010

15. Potential Expenses for 8th Grade
Yearbook
The cost of a standard yearbook is about $30
Baby Ad is available for $25
8th Grade Promotion Dance
The fee for this dance ranges from $5 to $10
Big Surf
Field trip the last week of school
Fee is $20 (includes lunch)

16. Potential Expenses for 8th Grade
Disneyland Trip
For performing arts students in early February
Explo teachers will provide more information
Sports
Fees range from $100 to $150 depending on the sport, and they are due when your student makes the team.

17. Potential Expenses for 8th Grade
Mini Town
Leadership training camp held in Prescott in February
Application to attend typically opens in November
Fee of $185 (due in January)
Living History Trip
Mr. Furman will provide more information
Takes place second quarter
Fee of $297 and will be due two weeks prior to the trip

18. Meet and Greet Breakfast
The Aprende PTSO will be sponsoring a meet- and-greet breakfast for all 8th grade parents on:
Wednesday, August 15th
7:45 am to 8:25 am
Please join us for a continental breakfast and a chance to socialize with other eighth grade parents!

19. Questions?
Please me at with any questions you may have that we didn’t get a chance to answer tonight! Please include:
Your name AND your student’s name
Your question(s)