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 Feel free to contact me at any time, for any reason concerning your child.    If you have not yet written me the letter about your son/daughter, please do so as soon as you can!

About Me & My Classroom Background Students are people, too!

 Supplies- binder, composition notebook, paper, pencil/pen  Textbooks- class copy AND online!  Homework- read/write daily!  Make-up & Late work  Work folders

The Reading Curriculum “Deconstructing” a text (annotating) Focus on reading strategies  Making multiple connections Analyzing and making judgments  Giving support Recognizing literary elements Critical thinking skills  Open-ended Discussion!

Our Novels Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom (Q1) Night by E. Wiesel (Q2) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Q3) Literature circles: student choice (Q4) Novels in class by 10/3

The Writing Curriculum Literature Response (Evaluative and Argumentative) Research Writing Expressive (Daybooks) Vocabulary Integration

Rigor in the Classroom Academic rigor can be defined as the set of standards and expectations set for our students. Academic rigor can be defined as the set of standards and expectations set for our students. Rigor includes our basic philosophy of learning – we expect students to demonstrate not only content mastery, but applied skills and critical thinking about the disciplines being taught. Rigor includes our basic philosophy of learning – we expect students to demonstrate not only content mastery, but applied skills and critical thinking about the disciplines being taught.

Rigor in the Classroom Assists students in fulfilling predetermined outcomes and competencies by challenging them with high expectations. Essential components of rigor in the classroom:  Content acquisition  Critical thinking  Relevance  Integration  Application of concepts  Long term retention  Responsibility

Students should be able to connect to the information being presented What does this mean?

Differentiation!  Socratic seminars  Debate  Drama  Art  Group/individual work  Music  Graphic organizers

Summer Book Report Due Friday, September 23rd Due Friday, September 23rd Students should use these next few days to ask any questions they may have. The due date is quickly approaching! Students should use these next few days to ask any questions they may have. The due date is quickly approaching!

Tips for success… Encourage students to plan ahead Encourage students to plan ahead Study IN ADVANCE for tests Study IN ADVANCE for tests PACE for tests PACE for tests Check agendas Check agendas Homework and notes Homework and notes Positive attitudes Positive attitudes Talk to me Talk to me Tutoring Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 AM Tutoring Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 AM

Thank You! Thank You! If you have given supplies to the class, thank you for helping getting the year off to a smooth start. Always feel free to donate anything from my wish list throughout the year. If you have given supplies to the class, thank you for helping getting the year off to a smooth start. Always feel free to donate anything from my wish list throughout the year. You have trusted me with some of your greatest treasures for the year. Thank you! I look forward to getting to know each and every one of them and am looking forward to a successful year! You have trusted me with some of your greatest treasures for the year. Thank you! I look forward to getting to know each and every one of them and am looking forward to a successful year!

As we close… Questions Questions Comments Comments