Language Arts Amy Cochren

Thank You! Students! Students! Parents and guardians! Parents and guardians! PTA PTA School Power School Power Thurston Middle School Thurston Middle School is a great place to be! is a great place to be!

Middle school students are: Developing their own self-identity Developing their own self-identity Choosing habits and values Choosing habits and values Energetic and enthusiastic Energetic and enthusiastic Fun and funny! Fun and funny! Everyday is an interesting adventure!

My Philosophy… Routine and high expectations create “norms” for behavior, work ethic, and preparation. Routine and high expectations create “norms” for behavior, work ethic, and preparation. Maximize learning and work output in class to minimize amount of work going home! Maximize learning and work output in class to minimize amount of work going home! Students have different personalities, motivators, and needs. Students have different personalities, motivators, and needs.

Common Question… What communication tools are available to help parents and students?

Communication Systems Communication Systems TMS website TMS website Class website Class website Aeries’ online grade book Aeries’ online grade book Student planner Student planner

Teacher Links by Grade Level

Teachers: Grade 7

Class Website Grade Level link on TMS website Grade Level link on TMS website Daily posting of agenda, handouts, homework, Power Points, etc Daily posting of agenda, handouts, homework, Power Points, etc Absent work station Absent work station

Website: LA6

Website: LA7

Website: Sidebar Links

Website Link: Quizlet

Website Link: American Library Association

Common Question… How can the planner be used as a communication tool?

Student Planner

Planner Stamp

Warm-up Routine Warm-up Routine  Verbal reminder to view board for items needed  Verbal reminder to fill out planner  Roll call and visual prompting with planner  Circulation during independent reading for planner stamping to indicate homework was copied properly

Common Question… How is Aeries used as a tool for communication?

Aeries’ Online Grade book

Aeries: Grades and Comments Homework entered daily Homework entered daily Participation, Work Habits, and Citizenship comments entered weekly Participation, Work Habits, and Citizenship comments entered weekly for account help for account help

Common Question… What can I expect to see my child doing for HW?

Homework Independent Reading: weekly parent- signed log due every Monday Independent Reading: weekly parent- signed log due every Monday Re-reading a story/ reviewing plot Re-reading a story/ reviewing plot Vocabulary studying with PowerPoint, quizlet flashcards, workbook Vocabulary studying with PowerPoint, quizlet flashcards, workbook Cornell note studying for tests Cornell note studying for tests

Cornell Notes

Common Core Curriculum: see parent resources on TMS website

Common Core Standards Close reading and analysis of challenging text Close reading and analysis of challenging text Identification of author’s purpose, perspective, and claims Identification of author’s purpose, perspective, and claims Citation of evidence from text to support our own claims and assertions Citation of evidence from text to support our own claims and assertions Increase in reading of non-fiction text and strategies Increase in reading of non-fiction text and strategies

Common Question… What can I do to monitor and support my student?

Home Support Routine Reminder on Weekly Reading Log: Check independent reading progress and sign log. Check independent reading progress and sign log. Log onto Aeries together. View week’s entries. Adjust homework and study time involvement as needed. Log onto Aeries together. View week’s entries. Adjust homework and study time involvement as needed. Organize backpack and binder. Restock. Organize backpack and binder. Restock.

Home Support Monitor Absent Work: Have your child log onto the class website prior to return if possible. Have your child log onto the class website prior to return if possible. Check Aeries to follow up with your child’s work submission. Check Aeries to follow up with your child’s work submission.