1. Welcome, Parents! Mrs. Carolyn Turcotte, 8A English Be sure to view the lovely quotes in the hallway from our first activity! Thanks for coming!

2. Communication is Key Website - www.barrington220.org/prairiewww.barrington220.org/prairie Locate “Mrs. Turcotte” under directory Website includes: class calendar, documents, templates, and helpful extras cturcotte@barrington220.org@b Infinite Campus

3. Grammar/Vocabulary New last year “Grammar Camp” Taught in class with student writing A particular focus within the essay or writing piece Assessments vary: mini quizzes Roots for vocabulary: student-created roots book with cumulative tests

4. Writing Student writing experiences:  Journals  Essays  Poetry  Reader Response/Extended Responses  Research  Creative pieces  Integration of netbooks

5. Reading - Independent Approx. 20 minutes daily  “Life Happens” flexible reading schedule  Two books a quarter  www.lexile.com www.lexile.com  Book selection tips under “extras”  Turcotte’s Texts Reading Day in Advisory is Wednesday IR log/discussions/presentations Fiction = 1 st and 2 nd quarter Nonfiction = 3 rd and 4 th quarter

6. Reading – In class Formal and informal discussions Book list:  The Pearl by John Steinbeck  The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway  The Call of the Wild by Jack London  “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes  A variety of Holocaust memoirs, reflections, and author biographies/autobiographies  Fiction and poetry  Of Beetles and Angels by Mawi Asgedom  End of the year: author study

7. Classroom Support/Resources Netbook/access to technology Class website – “extras” tab Student advocacy and autonomy Infinite Campus Advisory After school programs Appointment before or after school Feel free to schedule conferences, send an email or call