1. Written & Oral Communication-1 Blocks 7 & 8

2. Meet Your Teachers: Mrs. Liz Kirby B.S., English/Art Illinois State University M.S., Curriculum/Instruction Northeastern Illinois University Experienced language arts teacher: 2 years middle school 10 years Young Adult Program alternative high school 13 years RMHS

3. Meet Your Teachers: Mrs. Gina Tiahnybok B.S., Loyola University M.S. Ed. Northern Illinois University Experienced Special Education Teacher: 10 Nipper Career Education Center 10 13 years RMHS B.S., Humanities/Fine Arts Loyola University of Chicago M.S. Ed. Northern Illinois University Experienced Special Education Teacher-LBS-I/Case Manager: Over 20 years in Education 10 years Nipper 4 years District Office 7 years RMHS

4. Goals For This Year Improve Communication Skills: Written and Oral Learn English Grammar, i.e., structure of language Read, annotate, analyze, discuss both fiction and nonfiction Increase Vocabulary Develop study skills Organization and School Readiness College Readiness

5. District Goals Increase student success rate in courses (NO D’s or F’s) Increase sub-group EPAS scores Increase number of students taking AP classes and exams and passing AP tests

6. Where we are now? Stamp Sheets : monitoring daily habits of work and organizational skills Cooperative Education: community spirit and skills for group-learning WTL’s and grammar: introspective writing to learn Communication process: the system of oral and nonverbal com Vocabulary: “stems” and STEMWORDS to increase reading, writing and speaking fluency

7. Where we are headed? Speeches and Media Presentations Writing Process and Organization (MEL-Con) Selected Fiction and Non-Fiction Works Classic Novels : Of Mice & Men; To Kill a Mockingbird Word Within a Word (250 stems by June! WOW!) WREN Books (Writing and English)—District Wide Independent Reading (1 book per quarter/ 30 min per day, starting now…)

8. On-line gradebook: Infinite Campus Grading is updated online: http//ic.d214.org Your login info has been mailed home. Students will self-monitor. Notes & class updates will be sent through IC to your registered emaiL, so MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE CORRECT EMAIL

9. Tips for Helping Your Child have SUCCESS: Use Kirby’s “weebly” site! Check your child’s assignment notebook and WOC1 calendar on the homepage of kirbyrmhs.weebly.com kirbyrmhs.weebly.com Organization: Binder should be tabbed Read at home: (newspapers, magazines, books) Check ic.d214.org frequently Quiz your son/daughter over word stems (flash cards/ www.quizlet.com)www.quizlet.com Listen to student’s speeches

10. Be Smart! Ask Questions… Complete the “exit slip” with at least one comment or question on which I can follow up. Please email me whenever you have a question or concern. (liz.kirby@d214.org) VISIT OUR CLASSROOM! (We welcome guest speakers!!!)

11. THANK YOU for your kind attention… …Don’t be late for your next class!