1. WELCOME!!WELCOME!! English 7 Mrs. Stauss Room 107

2. My Mission A S AN E NGLISH TEACHER, MY MISSION IS TO CREATE A SAFE, RESPECTFUL, AND FUN LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHERE ALL STUDENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, AND QUESTIONS ABOUT EVERY ASPECT OF LANGUAGE ARTS LITERACY WHILE SUPPORTING HIS / HER PEERS IN THE LEARNING PROCESS AND ACHIEVING HIS / HER INDIVIDUAL, HIGH, YET OBTAINABLE GOALS FOR THE FUTURE. M Y GOAL IS TO ENCOURAGE ALL STUDENTS TO EXCEED THEIR OWN EXPECTATIONS AND GROW NOT ONLY ACADEMICALLY, BUT EMOTIONALLY AND SOCIALLY WHILE DEVELOPING AN INSATIABLE THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE THAT EXTENDS FAR BEYOND THE CLASSROOM WALLS.

3. Benefits of Team Teaching (Period 2 - only) Additional help in the classroom. Additional help before and after school. Helping students remain on task and focused. A variety of teaching techniques

4. Objectives of Class: Each student will learn to listen, speak, read, and write effectively. Each student will learn to express clearly his/her thoughts, feelings, ideas, and experiences both orally and in written form. Each student will learn to present written work in a neat, orderly fashion utilizing standards of punctuation, capitalization, sentences, and paragraphing suitable to his/her grade level. Each student will learn to apply the rules of grammar and usage effectively. Each student will learn to understand and appreciate all forms of literature and writing suitable to his/her grade level. Each student will acquire a competency in Language Arts in order to perform successfully on local and standardized tests, including the PARCC.

5. New Goals for this Year Exploring the Reading Workshop Model Utilizing assessments to determine future instruction Vary assessments to measure student learning. Allowing opportunities for DIFFERENTIATION for all learners on various levels Heavy concentration on improving writing skills and making writing fun rather than a burden.

6. Typical Class Period: Welcome students at door. Copy Homework from board – sign agendas DO NOW/ANTICIPATORY SET: –Word of the Day/ Journal Entry–Quick Write / Brainteaser/Sentence of the Day – Grammar Practice / Poetry Recitation ALL student led Check homework ACTIVITY: –Mini-lesson/Class Discussion / Group Work / “turn and talk” / independent reading or work time/ Test / Presentation Review time! Closure Question/Answer OR Exit Pass

7. Requirements: Three-ring binder –Three sections: Literature, Grammar, Writing Composition Notebook (marble notebook) – this will be a reader’s journal – due in two weeks. –On sale at Shoprite for 50 cents right now! Highlighter Post-Its

8. What is reading workshop? Reading workshop is an instruction model that focuses on the strengths and needs of each individual reader. Teachers model reading behaviors and provide direct instruction on reading strategically. Students are given time to read, an opportunity to choose their reading selections, and time to talk about books and strategies.

9. Components of Reading Workshop: Mini lesson: The teacher teaches a whole class lesson on a reading strategy or skill based on the needs of the students. Sometimes more complex, sophisticated texts are read as the teacher thinks aloud and demonstrates the skill. Independent work time: Students are reading self-selected “just right books” as they practice what they were just taught in the mini lesson. –They are responding to what they read in a reader’s notebook. They may participate in book clubs to read and talk about books with a group of students. –The teacher is conferencing with students about what they are reading. He or she is providing instruction in small guided reading and strategy groups. Sharing time: Students share what they read and how they applied the day’s mini lesson. This may be done as a whole class or in small groups. Written responses and book recommendations are shared as well.

10. Questions: How can I help? –Let your child see you reading! –Ask your son/daughter questions about his/her reading. –Have your child read aloud to you. –Sign the “reading log” on a weekly basis. How is my child assessed? –It is ongoing. Your son/daughter will receive multiple rubrics which will evaluate his/her reading fluency, comprehension, written responses and participation in the workshop model. Writing and reading are combined. Once students have read, there is a direct written response that always takes place evaluating their ability to analyze text and implement their reading/writing skills.

11. Main Texts: Scott Foresman Literature Anthology Warner’s Grammar Workbook Vocabulary Unit Book Short Story Book Adoption of new curriculum –Heavy concentration on informational text and more advanced literacy.

12. Important Points to Remember: Grading Policy Additional Resources –Extra Help –Lunch Study –Enrichment Classes Absentee Policy –Student must see teacher BEFORE school (approximately 7:50 a.m.) Let’s Keep Communication Open! –Guidance: (973) 667-8879 –Ms. Ginsberg– Guidance Counselor

13. Online Classroom You can start by visiting: http://www.nutleyschools.org –Click on our school website at the top tool bar: “John H. Walker Middle School”. –On the side left tool bar click on “Teacher Websites”. –Next, click on my last name “Stauss”. –Be sure to click on the left-hand side which says “ALL ENGLISH 7 CLASSES – Click here!!”

14. Now for something REALLY exciting: –Already provided by the school –Collaborative work –Students will “own” their learning and feel like they’re apart of the learning process, not just sitting and listening. –PLEASE COMPLETE TECHNOLOGY/MEDIA RELEASE FORM and HAND IN!!!!

15. REQUESTS : Please sign up for “Remind” on our website. (A one-way text messaging service to keep parents informed.) Please return the Technology Acceptable Use Form – on our website

16. Resources : Remind – Please see all handouts on our website: –http://www.nutleyschools.org/olc/folder.aspx?id=41159& s=142&c=547http://www.nutleyschools.org/olc/folder.aspx?id=41159& s=142&c=547 Mrs. Stauss’ blog: –http://mrsstauss.blogspot.com/http://mrsstauss.blogspot.com/ What is the PARCC and why should I care? –http://mrsstauss.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-exactly- is-parcc.htmlhttp://mrsstauss.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-exactly- is-parcc.html –http://www.nutleyschools.org/content_page2.aspx?cid=4 88http://www.nutleyschools.org/content_page2.aspx?cid=4 88 Our class website: –http://www.nutleyschools.org/olc/teacher.aspx?s=142http://www.nutleyschools.org/olc/teacher.aspx?s=142