1. Miss Fisher’s FPLA Class I am looking forward to a great year with your children!

2. Contact Information The best way to contact me is by email The best way to contact me is by email –Address is Elizabeth.Fisher@cusd200.org Elizabeth.Fisher@cusd200.org –Can email directly from ParentVue You can also contact me by phone You can also contact me by phone –(630)682-2060 Before school is the best time to reach me

3. My Philosophy of Education All children can learn All children can learn Learning should be fun Learning should be fun Children learn from each other Children learn from each other Teaching must include variety, flexibility, and individualization Teaching must include variety, flexibility, and individualization

4. Background I went to Hawthorne, Franklin, Wheaton North I went to Hawthorne, Franklin, Wheaton North Degrees Degrees –Undergraduate B.A. in Speech Communications from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign –Masters in Education from DePaul University –Masters in Administration and Leadership from National Louis University

5. Other Information This is my 19 th year teaching at Franklin This is my 19 th year teaching at Franklin 8 th Grade Team Leader/member of Franklin Instructional Team 8 th Grade Team Leader/member of Franklin Instructional Team Direct Variety Show Direct Variety Show Coach 8 th Grade Girls Track Coach 8 th Grade Girls Track Supervise Cafeteria Supervise Cafeteria

6. Curriculum Common Core was adopted Common Core was adopted Use many of the same pieces of literature Use many of the same pieces of literature Order it is taught may be different in the past Order it is taught may be different in the past Common vocabulary with high school Common vocabulary with high school All 8 th grade LA teachers planning together All 8 th grade LA teachers planning together Areas: Writing, Reading Literature, Reading Informational Texts, Speaking and Listening, and Language Areas: Writing, Reading Literature, Reading Informational Texts, Speaking and Listening, and Language

7. Curriculum – my role Member of committee to create curriculum Member of committee to create curriculum Created local assessments for FPLA reading Created local assessments for FPLA reading Gave input on local assessments for regular 8 th grade local reading assessment Gave input on local assessments for regular 8 th grade local reading assessment English-Language Arts Department Leader English-Language Arts Department Leader

8. Literature Mystery – And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Mystery – And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Historical Fiction – Various novels set during times they will be studying in the history class, including the following: Great Depression (Steinbeck, Out of the Dust, Truth About Sparrows, and No Promises in the Wind), Civil Rights Movement (Warriors Don’t Cry), and World War II (Hiroshima, Friedrich, Torn Thread). Historical Fiction – Various novels set during times they will be studying in the history class, including the following: Great Depression (Steinbeck, Out of the Dust, Truth About Sparrows, and No Promises in the Wind), Civil Rights Movement (Warriors Don’t Cry), and World War II (Hiroshima, Friedrich, Torn Thread). Classic - Animal Farm by George Orwell, Call of the Wild by Jack London, Steinbeck Classic - Animal Farm by George Orwell, Call of the Wild by Jack London, Steinbeck Drama – The Merchant of Venice, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Arsenic and Old Lace Drama – The Merchant of Venice, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Arsenic and Old Lace Non-Fiction – Hiroshima, Warriors Don’t Cry Non-Fiction – Hiroshima, Warriors Don’t Cry Poetry – Various poets Poetry – Various poets Various short stories and supplemental articles Various short stories and supplemental articles

9. Writing Informative Informative Argument Argument Research Research Use specific examples for support Use specific examples for support Narrative/Creative Narrative/Creative Poetry Poetry Journal – Reflections on reading Journal – Reflections on reading Free Write – Brainstorming ideas Free Write – Brainstorming ideas Revise formal writing for extra credit Revise formal writing for extra credit

10. Speaking and Listening Presentations – group and individual Presentations – group and individual Speeches Speeches Sharing writing pieces Sharing writing pieces Discussion (small and large) Discussion (small and large)

11. Vocabulary Wordly Wise Wordly Wise Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, suffixes Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, suffixes Words from novels Words from novels

12. Social-Emotional Learning Develop self-awareness and self- management skills to achieve school and life success Develop self-awareness and self- management skills to achieve school and life success Use social awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships Use social awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships Demonstrate decision-making skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts Demonstrate decision-making skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts

13. Goals Setting goals and achieving them Setting goals and achieving them –Goal (achievable, challenging, measurable) –Plan (specific steps) –Action (enact plan) –Reflection (evaluate effectiveness of plan and adjust accordingly)

14. My Goals Create a safe and supportive atmosphere that promotes creativity and risk taking Create a safe and supportive atmosphere that promotes creativity and risk taking Instill a love of reading and writing Instill a love of reading and writing Prepare all students for high school English Prepare all students for high school English Teach students to effectively communicate Teach students to effectively communicate Have fun Have fun

15. Explore Testing and High School Test administered September 18 Test administered September 18 Test scores, grades, and teacher input used for high school placement Test scores, grades, and teacher input used for high school placement Counselors visit LA classes in January/February for registration Counselors visit LA classes in January/February for registration Ultimate decisions are yours Ultimate decisions are yours

16. Thank you for attending! PTA information Read the letter from your child