1. Open House, Fall 2013

2.  Language Arts and Reading now taught as two separate classes.  Following Core Curriculum again this year. ◦ Reading focuses on reading strategies, while Language Arts focuses on grammar and writing. ◦ Test will still be CRCT – all necessary standards are incorporated. 7 th graders will also be tested in Sept. for eight days . These include the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and the CoGat test. ◦ Units are theme based as opposed to genre based. ◦ There are two grading categories: Primary and Secondary. The syllabus explains this in detail.

3.  Students will read one class novel per nine week period. ◦ First novel will be Monster by Walter Dean Myers. ◦ Students are expected to have a book with them everyday in class.  There are NO reading logs this year. Yea!  I do not assign a lot of homework, but I do expect students to be reading each night. Aim for at least 20-30 minutes. Most work at home will entail long-term projects related to class novels.  This class will focus on reading strategies for both fiction and non-fiction.

4.  Students will focus on grammar and writing skills.  Vocabulary books are new to the curriculum this year. Please make sure your child has purchased a book. They are $11 at The Husky Hut.  Homework will usually be assigned if work is not finished in class. Shorter class periods may cause homework to increase!

5.  Prentice Hall – Reader’s Journey (Reading consumable)  McDougal-Littell – Literature ◦ Class set  Interactive Reader and Writer (Reading consumable)  Grammar workbook (Language Arts consumable)  Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Level A (Language Arts consumable)

6.  Language Arts morning sessions ◦ Every Thursday ◦ 1-2 LA teachers are available to help students  Arrive at school by 8:15 most mornings ◦ If student needs to come in, let me know and I will make myself available.  Study sessions when necessary  After-school ◦ If student needs to come in, let me know and I will make myself available.

7.  Blog ◦ http://cobblearning.net/thealy/ http://cobblearning.net/thealy/ ◦ AC Reading page ◦ Language Arts page  Homework –Bolded for each class  Updated several times a week.  Agenda ◦ Students should write down work everyday in agenda. ◦ I attach handouts to the blog if available. ◦ Email me at patricia.healy@cobbk12.orgpatricia.healy@cobbk12.org

8. If you have questions, please email me.