1. WELCOME PARENTS! OPEN HOUSE 2015-2016 8 TH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS DEPARTMENT MRS. HEREDIA MRS. STEELE MRS. WELCH

2. Curriculum – College and Career Readiness Standards Standards: Literary Text Writing Speaking & Listening Language Informational Text WEBSITES: www.ade.az.gov http://www.corestandards.org/

3. GRADING POLICY Standards-based approach to grading Grade book will consist of fewer grades that help us determine whether or not students have mastered the language arts standards. Categories: Accelerated Reading – 10% Formative assessments (classwork/formative assessments) – 30% Summative assessments – 60%

4. CURRICULUM 1 st Quarter Unit: Who Am I? Identity.  “This I Believe” essay  6-Word Memoir  narrative writing  Novel: The Pearl by John Steinbeck  Novel: House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros  Speaking/Listening  We will explore the theme through a variety of short stories, poems, non-fiction, art, music, films, and discussions.

5. LITERATURE STUDY GROUPS Novels, short stories/selections, poems Whole group, small groups, individually Novels:  The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros  The Pearl by John Steinbeck  Honors will also include: -Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare -Animal Farm by Orwell -Lord of the Flies by Golding

6. ACCELERATED READER (AR) Students will be required to have an independent reading book (AR book at their level) at ALL times!!! They are expected to read at home EVERY night for a minimum of 15-20 minutes! (HONORS should read for 20-30 minutes) Students should log their reading pages in their agendas each night! Students: take the STAR test to determine their GE (grade equivalency) and reading range set independent reading goal (point goal) based on GE check out books in their reading range take AR quizzes to earn points worth 10% of overall grade

7. MISSED AND LATE WORK It is the responsibility of the student to see me if they were absent Late assignments will be accepted with a reduction of 20% After 10 days, late work will be accepted for no more than half credit Missing assignments will be made up during Academic Lab (Thursday – end of the day) What is Academic Lab? Every Thursday, students who have completed their work will have a choice of fun activities Students who have not completed assignments, need to make up/retake quizzes, or need extra help will be kept in for Academic Lab RETAKING TESTS/QUIZZES Our school-wide policy states that students who have failed a test/quiz are given the opportunity to retake the test one time. Students must demonstrate that they have studied and understand the material before retaking a test. If he/she scores better on the retake, they will receive the higher grade.

8. MATERIALS NEEDED EACH DAY, students must bring:  Agenda  AR book  Pencil/highlighters/pen (blue or black ink)  Folder or binder for ELA  Notebook-Spiral or Composition  *Scissors  *Glue or glue stick

9. RTP – RESPONSIBLE THINKING PROCESS If a student is disrupting the class, they are asked a set of questions designed to help them think about their actions If a student chooses to continue disrupting the class, they are making the choice to leave They are given an RTC referral and sent to RTC to complete a behavior plan If a student continuously chooses to go to RTC, parents will be notified and there may be a meeting to address the problem

10. What is MYP (Middle Years Program) and how is it being implemented in my class? All students on our campus participate in the MYP program in grades 6-8 encourages international-mindedness in students Focuses on IB Learner Profile Traits and Community Service encourages a positive attitude to learning by challenging students to solve problems, show creativity and resourcefulness and participate actively in their communities reflects real life by allowing students to see the connections between subjects and how each is applicable to their lives now and in the future supports the development of communication skills to encourage inquiry, understanding, language acquisition, and to allow student reflection and expression

11. IB LEARNER PROFILE TRAITS What ALL students and teachers strive to be: Inquirer Knowledgeable Thinker Communicator Principled Open-Minded Caring Risk-taker Balanced Reflective

12. HOW TO REACH US Mrs. HerediaMrs. Steele 480-883-5366480-883-5360 heredia.rachel@cusd80.comsteele.amy@cusd80.com Mrs. Welch 480-883-5361 welch.amy@cusd80.com

13. OTHER TAX CREDIT - Please take a form and consider contributing to our school to help support extracurricular activities. APPLES FOR TEACHERS - If you would like to donate an item to the classroom, please take and apple from the door and return item with your child. THANKS! INFINITE CAMPUS – Student Portal Grades (Lab 49) *Don’t forget to register on our website so that you can receive school news!

14. QUESTIONS???