1. Mrs. Megan Giron Gifted Pathways 7th Grade Language Arts Room 215
Welcome! Please take a supply list & student info sheet
Mrs. Megan Giron
Gifted Pathways 7th Grade Language Arts
Room 215

2. About Me! I recently moved from Norwalk, Connecticut.
My husband and I live in Phoenix.
BA English/m.Spanish from Fordham University
MA Secondary English Education from Fairfield University.
I have taught both high school & middle school, but middle school is BY FAR my favorite.
I have taught students in Connecticut, the Bronx, Spain, and now, Arizona!

3. My Goals & Philosophy My goal is to help all students:
To be stronger readers.
To be better writers.
To enjoy our class.
Reading= a strategy for strong writing
Writing= a strategy for reflective reading

4. Year At A Glance: 7th Grade Reading & Writing Experience
Units:
Facing Adversity
Space
Turning Points
People & The Planet
Modes of Writing:
Informational/Explanatory writing (response to literature, literary analysis)
Argument Writing
Multimedia presentations

5. Supply list Every day, students should bring:
1.5” binder with eight divided sections (so you need 8 binder divider tabs!)
Pocket folder
Highlighters
Pens or pencils
Loose-leaf paper
Your agenda book
Independent reading (SSR) book
Students can keep your textbook and binder in my
classroom when they are not using it.

6. 7th Grade ELA: Gifted Program
Students will participate in independent study, project-based learning
Increased rigor in learning activities
Units will move at an accelerated rate with more supplemental texts and deeper interpretation
Texts that build critical thinking & interpretation skills (deeper questioning, exploring)
Reading more, writing more
We are using a combination of myPerspectives, Great Books, and Wordly Wise as curriculum.

7. ELA Novel Studies A Long Walk to Water (Park)
The Illustrated Man (Bradbury)
The Cay (Taylor)
Lord of the Flies (Golding)
Subject to change…

8. What to Expect
Homework – not daily, but frequent (2-3x a week) Spelling, Weekly Reading Skills Practice, Work from class, Vocab
Essays – about 4 total
Short Writing Assignments
Book Talks/Book Reports– one a semester
Reading at Home– novel studies, textbook readings, independent reading book
Textbook(s)– myPerspectives, Great Books, Wordly Wise, Elements of Language
Independent Reading Program: 10 minutes a day, every day.

9. Independent Reading
I build time into my classroom for things that are important.
10 mins to start every class (and 10 mins at home)
Reading self-selected books at an appropriate reading level increases vocabulary, reading rate, awareness of writer’s craft, and much more….but especially, LOVE OF READING.
Source: Book Love by Penny Kittle

11. Book Talks/ Book Reports
Students will give a book talk and write a book report/create a book project on one of their favorite independent reading books.
This helps others in the class to find good books, and promotes a reading culture
One per semester
Will accept anytime before due date (sign up sheet for book talks)

12. Grammar
Parts of Speech Review
Sentence Types/Structures
Expect to see homework on this periodically. Quizzes will follow concepts.
Vocabulary (Wordly Wise gifted curriculum)
Word work with weekly tests.

13. Gradebook STAR Reading Interim Assessments
80% Assessments (essays, projects, writing assignments)
20% Classwork/Homework
STAR Reading
Three times a year to evaluate student achievement in reading. Students will use these scores to set goals during Advisory.
Interim Assessments
Every 6-8 weeks (reading & math)

14. On-Time Policy
All assignments must be completed for the beginning of class.
Late homework will not be accepted-- students should be proactive in contacting me if any situations arise.
Projects will be accepted late; however, you will lose 10% for every 3 days your project is late (school policy)

15. Tardy/Absence
It is important for your child to be here and on time to every class.
Tardy = Lobby Lunch
Absences: For every day absent, your child has that many days to make up the work. (Ex: Absent for 1 day= 1 day to make up work).

16. How can I check on my child’s progress?
•Synergy (grades)
•Our Google Classroom website (homework, assignments & projects, Daily Class Recap, handouts, powerpoints, etc)
•Google Drive (writing)
•LA Binder
You can always me for clarification/confirmation!

17. Helping Out at Home Place to complete assignments at home
Keep textbooks in a safe place
Check Google Classroom for recap/handouts/assignments
Checking Grades – asking for clarification
Read some of the books from class

18. Please visit my Schoolwires website for...
Copy of syllabus
Materials list
Lists/links to popular YA books
Link to Google Classroom (for handouts, daily class recap, slideshow, etc).

19. Monday’s Class: Book Photos
To jump start the year and inspire some good book ideas, I am asking each child to bring in a copy of either a) their favorite book, or b) the book they plan on reading next. I will take a picture of each child with the book and display it on our bulletin board.
If you prefer for your child to not have their picture taken, please me and let me know.

20. A Final Note
On your own time, please consider ing me a short note describing your child, your hopes and concerns for him/her for 7th grade,
and anything else that you feel is important for me to know, such as:
What are his/her strengths? What are his/her challenges?
How would you describe his/her personality?
What do you love the most about your child?
As his or her parent, you know your child the best, and the way you see them matters a lot to me. First, they are your children, then they are my students. It will help me immensely as I continue to get to know your kids!

21. Thank you so much for coming!
I look forward to meeting you & communicating with you throughout the year. I love teaching middle school students.
Please reach out to me for anything!
(MOST EFFICIENT!)
Phone: (480)
Please place the student info sheets in the gold wire basket.