Welcome! Junior English Ms. Sara Teplinsky

Who is Ms. Teplinsky?  BGHS, Class of ‘98  B.A. English and Secondary Education, Indiana University  M.Ed. Administration and Supervision  from National-Louis University  Reading Specialist, National-Louis University  Doctoral Candidate: Reading and Language, from National-Louis University

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Classroom Culture RESPECT. When we all respect each other, our class becomes a community of learners. We listen to each other, accept other ideas and work with them, and treat classmates, teachers, and surroundings well. COMMUNICATION. The best way to ensure success in this class is to maintain constant communication with classmates and myself. Don’t hesitate to contact me or other classmates with questions and concerns. EFFORT. I expect you to work hard in this class. Use your time efficiently, be productive and stay focused. This goes for time in and out of class. Success means doing your best. Success is not reflective in just a letter grade!

Reading Selections Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer Selections from Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau Beloved by Toni Morrison The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathon Safran Foer The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien Independent Reading- Student Choice...and many other selections including essays, short stories, poems, informational text, and movies.

My Philosophy I believe that above all else, an educational community must be supportive, collaborative, and safe. The classroom experience should include intellectual risk taking. Students must take responsibility for their learning. Preparing our students for life’s challenges.

CORE LEARNING TARGETS I can read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions from the text I can determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas I can read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.

CORE LEARNING TARGETS I can write arguments to support claims of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence I can produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to the task, purpose, and audience I can use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.

CORE LEARNING TARGETS I can demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. I can acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level

CORE LEARNING TARGETS I can prepare and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaboarations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to the task, purpose, and audience I can adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate

Thank you for coming! Please don’t ever hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child.