Mrs. Foody’s 8th grade literature class Welcome! to the R Team Mrs. Foody’s 8th grade literature class

8th Grade Choices Students have chosen their own seats-for now Students choose their own independent reading materials- personal library (beginning a “Read Across America” challenge this week) Time will be given during class to read but students are encouraged to read at home as well. Students choose method of organization

Organization/Class Size Binders versus notebooks Bring writing utensil and paper! 30-32 students per class English has a basic skills teacher in three of the five classes, but literature does not.

Got books?

Curriculum and Pacing Guide Unit One :Reading Closely Unit Two: Point of View Unit Three: Working With Evidence Unit Four: Literary Analysis Topics of discussion include The Outsiders, Holocaust/WWII, Civil Rights Movement, selected works by Edgar Allan Poe, current events, independent reading

Opportunities for Extra Credit Weekly: This Week’s Challenge Motivational Monday Quote of the Week Updates on Remind Marking Period: Great American Book Read, Responding to film (World War II/ Holocaust) Each assignment can earn one test point!

R Team Reminders/Tips Encourage your child to contact teachers Students need to be mindful of due dates Team meetings with students

All About Me Beginning my 26th year in the classroom 16 years at Kingsway Mother of two daughters, 9th and 12th grades.

Literature due dates… Students signed up for Remind text notifications, Goodreads, and Google Classroom. New independent book must be chosen before Sept 14 Million Words due back from parents ASAP.

Rules and Expectations # 1 Rule:“Be nice to me” (and all that it encompasses).

Personal Connections Getting to know your child as an individual- letters, surveys, interviews parental/guardian involvement- don’t forget to send us your million words or less about your child! Open line of communication

Third – we must be flexible in how we teach. 21st Century Classrooms .” Teacher - From primary role as a dispenser of information to orchestrator of learning and helping students turn information into knowledge, and knowledge into wisdom.  Learner - In the past a learner was a young person who went to school, spent a specified amount of time in certain courses, received passing grades and graduated.  Today we must see learners in a new context: First – we must maintain student interest by helping them see how what they are learning prepares them for life in the real world.  Second – we must instill curiosity, which is fundamental to lifelong learning.  Third – we must be flexible in how we teach. Fourth – we must excite learners to become even more resourceful so that they will continue to learn outside the formal school day.”

What is 21st Century Curriculum? Twenty-first century curriculum has certain critical attributes.  It is interdisciplinary, project-based, and research-driven.  It is connected to the community – local, state, national and global.  Sometimes students are collaborating with people around the world in various projects.  The curriculum incorporates higher order thinking skills, multiple intelligences, technology and multimedia, the multiple literacies of the 21st century, and authentic assessments.  Service learning is an important component.  The classroom is expanded to include the greater community.  Students are self-directed, and work both independently and interdependently.  The curriculum and instruction are designed to challenge all students, and provides for differentiation. 

Thank you for coming! I look forward to working with you this year!