1. Welcome to 8th Grade English 2018 - 2019
AMANDA CARRUTHERS
Seneca Ridge Middle School
ROOM A 5

2. Meet Mrs. Carruthers BA from The University of Tulsa
MA from University of Missouri Kansas City
Taught in Oklahoma, Florida, Missouri and Kansas
Moved to Northern Virginia in 2006
This would be my 24th year as a teacher
Hobbies include anything related to my family, reading cookbooks, baking, playing with my dog Sadie, paddleboarding, and scrapbooking
My husband is Scott, and we
have two amazing girls,
Olivia and Amelia
My favorite color is PINK!!

3. Reading
Our reading workshop allows students to have independent reading time after being exposed to short, skill focused mini - lessons that will help to push students in their own independent reading

4. WRITING, WRITING AND MORE WRITING!
The ability to communicate effectively is an essential life skill.
The students in this class will be writing in many different styles.
Students will learn how to organize their thoughts using a wide variety of prewriting strategies.
We will explore several Units of Study within the Writing Workshop which will explore Argument, Information and Narrative writing

5. Communicating with Mrs. Carruthers
Call the front office and leave a message
Planning Periods :
A Day 5 - 6
B Day 7 - 8

6. Website

7. Homework
Homework is the opportunity to review skills from class! Homework / Classwork will be graded and counted as 10% of students’ grades
Students are expected to read for twenty minutes each night - we will start a “Status of the Class” soon, and students will set reading goals and meet them. Each marking point will be counted as a small summative, then by the end of the quarter, students will have a final book project as a larger summative
Review materials and be prepared for class
Keep up with and complete work from Playlists / Choiceboards

8. Student Responsibilities
Students should complete all assignments every night as neatly and correctly as they can.
All assignments should be completed
in pencil, unless assigned otherwise.
All work should be completed and
turned in by the due date.
Students will utilize My Homework app to view assignments, tests, projects, and use it as a
reference when completing work at home.

9. Behavior Management
In 8th grade students expectations are based upon students meeting behavioral and academic expectations. Seneca Ridge is a PBIS school (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports)
Strengthen our CORE
Confidence
Ownership
Respect
Empathy

10. Classwork / Homework / Tests / Quizzes
Classwork will be based on our reading and writing workshop
Reading Workshop / Writing Workshop
Mini Lessons
Independent reading and responding
Playlists
On a weekly / bi-weekly playlist, students will have a choice in activities or lessons to be completed
Achieve 3000
Word Work (vocabulary studies)
Reading / Grammar skill focus / Writing topics

11. Bolt Bucks - will be given to students demonstrating the four CORE strengths here at Seneca! **Students will be able to cash in Bolt Bucks for prizes at the school stand or in our classroom!
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

12. SOL Testing
March: Writing SOL
May: Reading SOL