1. English/Language Arts Block

2.  Enhancing Language Arts Skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking)  Implementing the 2010 English/Language Arts Standards (ELAS)

3.  Preparation: The standards are college and career ready. They will help prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in education and training after high school.  Competition: The standards are internationally benchmarked. Common standards will help insure our students are globally competitive  Equity: Expectations are consistent for all- and not dependent on a student’s zip code  Clarity: The standards are focused, coherent, and clear. Clearer standards help students (and parents and teachers) understand what is expected of them.  Collaboration: The standards create a foundation to work collaboratively across states and districts, pooling resources and expertise, to create curricular tools, professional development, common assessments, and other materials.

4.  All 7 th and 8 th grade students are enrolled in a Language Arts Block.  Students will receive about 70 minutes each school day focused on enhancing and strengthening reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.  Students will be analyzing fiction and non- fiction passages, writing assignments will accompany these passages.

5.  Elements of Literature ( First Course )  Prentice Hall (7 th grade )  Exploring Non-Fiction Kit  Jamestown Critical Reading Series  Supplemental Articles

6.  Students will have homework if/when assignments are not completed during class time.  Projects will be assigned each quarter and should be completed at home.  Check the website assignment calendar for assignments.  Check your child’s portal to ensure completion of assignments  Students should always have a book at their independent reading level to read when time permits.

7.  Grades will be taken from assessments and classwork/homework.  Assessments and projects will be weighted at 80% and classwork/homework at 20%  Students may redo any assessment as long as they have received additional instruction.

8.  Students who are absent have two days to make-up missing work for every one day missed. Students will receive full credit.  Students who take longer to make up assignments will have points deducted.  It is the student’s responsibility to ask for and turn in any missing assignments.

9.  Planners—Will have homework assignments and due dates for major tests/projects.  MyMPS—Will have grades posted as well as attendance records. Please check this site often as it is updated regularly.  Teacher website calendars—Will have classroom topics and major due dates.

10.  Brenda Frank 480.472.8354 bmfrank@mpsaz.org bmfrank@mpsaz.org  Teaching Hours: 8:00-5:30 (Mon., Tues., Thurs. 8:00-4:30 Wed. & Fri.)  Tutoring Hours: Before and after school as my schedule permits or by appointment

11.  Thank you for taking time to come to Curriculum Night.