1. Welcome to Back to school night! Eighth Grade English Alison saffos
Room 222

2. Activity! Students are starting this tomorrow
Read the “Where I’m From” poem and the Sample
Write your own! Fill in the blanks.
Write your name and your child’s name on the bottom of the worksheet.
I will share it with them tomorrow or Monday 

3. About Me! Graduate of The College of New Jersey Fourth year at RDMS
Drama Club Advisor
Turnkey Trainer
Taught high school for 6 years
Class of 2015 Advisor
Masters in Special Education
Back in school for Administration
Favorite Book: The Great Gatsby
Just Finished: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer (then watched the movie!)

4. Nonfiction vs. Historical Fiction
Units
Realistic Fiction
Suspense
Historical Fiction
Book Clubs
Mythology
Memoir
Nonfiction vs. Historical Fiction

5. Good to Know
School Wires contains all the important information about this course, including:
Week-at-a-Glance(now linked to OneNote)
Extra-help (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday after school)
My contact information ( is best!)
BUT, students will be using OneNote primarily. If you are interested in having access to their materials and daily notes, simply have them share their password with you.
Check Genesis frequently!

6. Grading and Homework Grading Policy: Homework Policy:
Tests, Writing & Projects  50%
Quizzes  30%
Classwork & Homework    20%
Homework Policy:
Homework is due at the beginning of class on the due date.
For some assignments, I will accept it a day late for half credit.
If a student needs a resource that was not supplied on the website or during class, any extension will be given. However, if the resources were available online and the student does not utilize them, the assignment will be considered incomplete.
For large assignments, like essays and projects, the grade will drop one letter grade for each day it is late (up to 4 days).
For students who are absent or faced an unexpected emergency, appropriate extensions will be granted.

7. Writing Preparation for high school level writing The Writing Process
Outlining
Components of: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion paragraphs
Literature-Based Essays
Textual evidence is key
Research
Creative and Narrative Writing (Alternate Endings, Poetry)
Emulate craft and structure of published works
Persuasive/Problem-Solving
Thinking critically and examining issues from all sides
Open-ended questions following the PARCC format

8. Writing

9. Rubrics!

10. Parent Involvement Have books in your home
Sign your family up at the public library
Ask your child what he or she is currently reading (at school and independently) and about the book– maybe read the same one!
Familiarize yourself with Schoolwires so that you are aware of due dates and assignments
Talk about the book you are currently reading.
For very reluctant readers: consider a subscription to a high-interest magazine, or suggest a particular section of the newspaper.
Check with the school or public library for good YA Lit recommendations