1. Meet the Teacher Night October 2, 2014 Mrs. Voss – English Welcome, Parents! Please be sure that you took the pamphlets when you walked in. I will pass around the sign in sheet after I begin. Do Now: Think of an experience from your life that has had an impact on the person you are today.

2. Announcements  The Outsiders movie night will be held next Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 6:15 pm in the middle school auditorium. Permission slips were distributed today and are due by next Wednesday.  A team t-shirt design will be selected tomorrow from the student submissions. Ordering information will be sent home soon.

3. Common Core Learning Standards The 6 Shifts 1.Increased reading of informational texts 2.Increased text complexity 3.Build academic vocabulary 4.Text-based answers 5.Increase writing from sources 6.Literacy instruction in all content areas

4. Units of Study Please note that this is subject to change. Title of UnitTexts ReadWriting Produced 6 Traits of WritingMrs. Voss’ Writing SampleStudent Writing Sample “Navigating Challenges” 1.Inside Out & Back Again 2.Various short, nonfiction articles 3.Bullied (documentary) Several Short Responses Literary Essay Short Stories“A Retrieved Reformation” “The Lottery” “The Necklace” “The Story of an Hour” Several Short Responses Literary Essay Research Unit “Controversial Issues of Today” Student selected from the SIRS Database Research Paper “Taking a Stand”To Kill a MockingbirdSeveral Short Responses Literary Essay Poetry is interwoven throughout each of these units!

5. Grading Information Homework – 20% (Late homework is NOT accepted) Writing/Projects – 40% (10 point deduction for each day it is late) Tests/Quizzes/Assessments – 40% (Will always be announced well in advance)

6. Independent Reading Students should always have a book they are reading! They should bring it to school with them in case the opportunity arises to read throughout the day. They have been assigned a book for Quarters 1 and 3. Students must select a book of their choice for Quarters 2 and 4 and complete an assignment. A FAQ page as well as a list of the assignment options and rubrics are available on my website under “Independent Reading.” This will be distributed to students in early December.

7. Parent Contact *E-mails will be sent to parents notifying them of upcoming due dates. If you have not received a welcome e-mail from me, send me an e-mail with your address and I’ll add you* Cvoss@eischools.org **Infinite Campus Parent Portal – Please be patient when it comes to posting writing grades, especially essays. They take many hours to grade! ***Please call or e-mail me with any questions or concerns!!!

8. Class Website www.teacherweb.com/ny/eastislipms/voss Visit this site often for announcements, handouts, due dates, and homework assignments.