1. Welcome to Back to School Night! Welcome to Back to School Night! Mrs. Karen Wilcox, 7B Please take one of each of the packets below. The lined paper is for you to write a letter to your child, which you can place in their cubbies for them to find tomorrow morning!

2. Mrs. Karen Wilcox Bachelor of Arts in Social Ecology with a specialization in Psychology and Social Behavior from UCIrvine Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from UCIrvine CLAD Certificate (crosscultural, language, and academic development) from USD Certificate of Compliance under NCLB (No Child Left Behind) Currently working on obtaining a Reading and Language Arts Specialist Credential at UCIrvine 3 rd year at Serra Previously taught at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic School in Newport Beach

3. Miss Kelly Murphy B.A. in Psychology at SDSU Single Subject English Credential from SDSU Serra and SMCHS alum Currently working towards M.Ed.. 3 classes left! 4 th year teaching at Serra

4. Curriculum for ELA Holt Literature Textbook Holt Grammar Handbook Holt Interactive Reader 7 th Grade Novels - Belle Prater’s Boy by Ruth White - Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool - Red Scarf Girl by Jili Jiang - Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi Jane Schaffer Writing Program

5. Writing Expository Writing Narratives Persuasive Essays Journals Letter Writing The Jane Schaffer format helps with all these types of writing.

6. Literacy Skills-based class which conforms to the Common Core mandate for non- fiction text analysis Focus on basic reading skills, note taking, study skills, and test taking strategies Integrate with Social Studies and Science

7. Independent Reading Required to read at least 2 independent reading books at appropriate level per trimester Complete assessment from menu Reading responses using Google Forms Read at least 15-20 minutes nightly for homework

8. Homework Your child should have no more than 30- 45 minutes of ELA homework per night. Homework is an extension of work done in class. Read an independent reading book for 20 minutes each night!

9. Grade Weights ELA -Tests/ JS Essays/ Major Projects40% - Quizzes/ Writing/ Minor Projects30% - Homework/ Classwork30% Literacy - Tests/ Quizzes40% - DLAs/Classwork30% - SCOPE/Interactive Reader 30%

10. Late/Absent Work Policy Late Work 1 day late = 75% credit 2 days late = 50% credit More than 2 days late = 0% credit Absent Work The middle school absent policy is that the student is allowed ONE day for each day he/she is absent to make-up work before it is considered late. Please discuss any individual concerns with the teacher.

11. Tips for Success Use MyHomework app daily for short and long-term assignments Communicate with teachers Teacher websites – can access through Serra website Subscribe to teacher website Study in small increments for tests and quizzes Encourage your child to be a self-advocate READ, READ, READ! http://vimeo.com/104351817

12. SOS No more ZAP!! SOS-Created to give the students more support with areas of need. Each teacher will have office hours one day a week at lunch. Language Arts office hours is on Tues. Students can come in for help, make-up a test, or get extra support. http://vimeo.com/104351817

13. Contact Information We are here to help you and your child! Please contact us with any concerns you or your student may have. Mrs. Wilcox – kwilcox@serraschool.org kwilcox@serraschool.org Miss Murphy – kmurphy@serraschool.orgkmurphy@serraschool.org We look forward to a terrific 7 th grade year!