8th Grade Advanced Language Arts Aka… The last year of practice before high school. Mrs. Jones

About Me B.A. and M.Ed. from University of Washington 16th year teaching middle school language arts, social studies and leadership. 12th year at BLMS Prior to teaching - Human Resources/Recruiter Originally from California. Lived in Hawaii Washington resident for over 20 years Married with a 3lb Chihuahua, French Bulldog and 2 horses When I’m not at school, I’m at the barn I love to ride my 2 horses, hike, run and travel Went to school in Spain Taught in China for a summer Have taken groups of students to Washington D.C. in June I also love to organize!

Supply List Three-Ring Binder (2 inch or larger) Notetaking – 2 composition notebooks Writer’s Workshop Reader’s Workshop Notebook Paper Several Black/Blue/Red Pens and Pencils Highlighters - Green, Blue, Pink and Yellow Electronic Storage Supplies (USB preferred) Colored Pencils, Glue Sticks, Scissors, Sharpies, Markers Sheet Protectors Novel to read in class Replenish supplies as needed (at least twice per trimester)

Advanced Language Arts Curriculum Trimester 1 Writer’s Workshop– all about the writing process: generate ideas of their own, select topics to develop, draft, revise, edit, and publish. - How Writer’s Work Unit - Narrative/Multi-Genre Memoir Unit Reader’s Workshop - students participate in skill development lessons, learn new reading skills, vocabulary, hold discussions, and write about their reading to develop better reading comprehension and deep text analysis. - Literary Devices and Elements - Literature Text – Short stories to reinforce elements and reading comprehension - Short Stories Unit Grammar – Sentence Structure, Subject, Predicate, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs, Prepositional Phrases, Direct Objects, Complex Sentences Outside Reading – Classic/Challenging Historical Fiction

Advanced Language Arts Curriculum Trimester 2 Writer’s Workshop– all about the writing process: generate ideas of their own, select topics to develop, research, draft, revise, edit, and publish. - Informational Research Report Reader’s Workshop - students participate in skill development lessons, learn new reading skills, vocabulary, hold discussions, and write about their reading to develop better reading comprehension and deep text analysis. - Literary Devices and Elements - Literature Text – Short stories to reinforce elements and reading comprehension - Novel – Warriors Don’t Cry Grammar - Subject, Predicate, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs, Prepositional Phrases, Direct Objects, Complex Sentences Greek and Latin Roots – 10 per week Outside Reading – Poetry Anthology

Advanced Language Arts Curriculum Trimester 3 Writer’s Workshop– all about the writing process: generate ideas of their own, select topics to develop, draft, revise, edit, and publish. - Argumentative Essay Reader’s Workshop - students participate in skill development lessons, learn new reading skills, vocabulary, hold discussions, and write about their reading to develop better reading comprehension and deep text analysis. Each lesson is aligned with the Common Core State Standards. - Literary Devices and Elements - Literature Text – various short stories to reinforce the elements and reading comprehension - Novels – Various Novels on Life Change Grammar - Subject, Predicate, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs, Prepositional Phrases, Direct Objects, Complex Sentences Greek and Latin Roots – 10 per week Outside Reading – Biography/Autobiography

Vocabulary Greek and Latin Root Begin in Trimester 2 One lesson each week – 10-15 words and roots Tests on every two lessons Definitions Roots – ongoing and cumulative We will also use words from the Literature text and our various novels as vocabulary practice.

Grading - Skyward is updated regularly The majority of grade is based on assessments - formative and summative Formative = 30% Summative= 50% Assignments and classroom work are given daily to enhance the learning. At times classroom work may become homework. Assignments = 20% Assessment Grade Assignment Grade

Absent Work Absent Work - Students need to check the planner and the missing work crate. Website - Students also need to check my teacher site for assignments they missed. Due Dates - For every day absent, students will have a day to turn in their missing assignments including tests. Test/Quiz Make-up - It is the student’s responsibility to set up a time with me. I will not follow up with them.

How Can You Help? Encourage your student to communicate with teachers. Provide your student with a quiet place to study and do homework. Unplug them! Make sure they get enough sleep, eat a good breakfast, and have enough down time. Encourage them to check grades on Family Access for feedback. Remind students to check my website for homework.

Mrs. Jones 8th Grade Advanced Language Arts Contact Information Phone: (425) 837-4124 E-mail: jonesm3@issaquah.wednet.edu Website: http://www.blms.issaquah.wednet.edu/Teachers/jonesm3/ Available: Before or after school. Feel free to call or e-mail to set up an appointment. Please take a moment to complete the Student Information forms.