1. Ms. Hamm 7 th Reading

2. Class Website  http://www.mccrackencountyschools.org /loms/ http://www.mccrackencountyschools.org /loms/  Vocabulary, Unit Questions, Weekly Goals, Class Activities and Overviews, Powerpoints and Documents

3. Big Projects/Novels Fall Semester  In-class novel, The Bystander  In-class novel, Tangerine with activities Spring Semester  Independent Book Report with activities  Group Book Report with activities and presentation

4.  2 out of 10 8 th grade students meet benchmarks to be college/career ready when they leave the 8 th grade.  Students who are not college/career on track at this time are in danger of never reaching their benchmarks THE FORGOTTEN MIDDLE RESEARCH COMPLETED BY THE ACT BOARD IN COLLABARATION WITH A VARIETY OF PUBLIC/PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

5. College/Career Ready BEHAVIOR  Managing time wisely  Keeping supplies and work organizing  Being attentive to speakers READING  NOT dependent upon rote recall of texts or rules  Students can read a text and from this text can make comparisons, generalizations, inferences and draw conclusions  Students use text as a supportive tool in order to reinforce their own ideas/thoughts

6. So, what are we doing?

7. OUR SPRINGBOARD  Springboard is our new district wide middle school text.  It is supported by the CollegeBoard, in that it helps students develop higher level thinking skills.  It asks students to analyze text in a different way, instead of looking for facts and actions in a text, students are to learn how to apply the text to their own experience/lives. Then they are to support the conclusions that they reach with examples from the text.

8. Why?  The types of questions and activities in Springboard are the baby steps we take in order to help our students be successful in a higher educational environment.  Students must begin to acquaint themselves with discussing topics aloud, being respectful of others opinions/beliefs, and learning how to use written and verbal communication in order to get their ideas across to others.

9. What does that look like? Which child was “miniaturized” while trying to be transported through television waves in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Which child in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory do you feel is the “naughtiest”? Why do you feel it is this child? How would you react to a guest whom you had willingly opened your business/home to, and then they disrespected you by not following your rules or damaging your property? Be specific, create hypothetical scenarios.

10. What can “I” do to help?  Discuss, discuss, discuss  Create a habit of talking to your children about why they make the choices they make.  Discuss choices/actions whenever possible – characters in a movie, people you see on the street, billboard signs you see down the road, etc.  Involve your children in discussions about why you have made certain decisions on a daily basis or even allow them to “give input” when you have a decision to make.

11. What does this look like?  How... ?  Why... ?  What’s your opinion about... ?  How would you...?  Can you explain to me... ?  Tell me your thoughts... ?  Can you help me figure out... ?  Don’t forget to give input as well!!!  We want to be examples!!!

12. Thank you for taking the time to come out and meet your child’s teachers!! Please feel free to write on the back of the index cards any questions/concerns you still have, or feel free to email me or leave me a voicemail at extension 6332.