Rachel Chapin Specialized Academic Instructor Reading English Language Arts (ELA) and Math

Welcome Parents! Welcome to middle school! I am very excited to be working with you and your child this year. My goal is to work with you to provide a positive learning experience for your child. This information is here to help and serve as a guide for you, but feel free to contact me at any time.

Health & Nutrition Make sure students eat breakfast Provide students with a nutritious snack. Students are encouraged to carry a water bottle. It is extremely important that students get AT LEAST 8-9 hours of sleep

School Policies Cell phones are for use before and after school. If you have an emergency please contact the office. No Gum… School beautification Dress Code will be enforced Tardies: Students may be assigned detention, Thursday School or Saturday school Detailed description of all policies are in the planner. (Pages 20 – 42 in English and Spanish)

Class Rules 1.Be Respectful to Everyone 2.Always do Your Best Work 3.Be Prepared Every Day 4.Have fun! Class motto… “I am responsible for myself.”

Positives Compliments Individual Raffle Tickets Trade Tickets for Prizes Homework Pass Computer Time Front of the Line pass Class Points For a Party Team points

Consequences Warning Moment of Reflection with Teacher Reflective Writing Assignment Call home Escort to Office Referral/ Phone call home/Saturday School

Homework/Classwork Homework will be given Monday-Thursday and occasionally on Friday. Homework is a valuable extension from what is taught in class, and it is important that students complete their homework every night.

Homework/Classwork ELA – Spelling, vocabulary, writing, grammar and punctuation Reading – Practice, practice, practice! Minimum of 20 minutes a night. Reading log filled out Monday – Thursday. (Daily comprehension/Free read)

Grading System Point system Participation Citizenship grades are based upon compliance to the school and classroom rules. More extensive assignments will be worth more points Incomplete assignments will not be graded Late work = -70% of the possible points

LATE WORK General rule for all subject areas is that late work is not acceptable, as we are building student responsibility and preparing students for the next level of secondary education. (30% penalty for late work) I will comply with the SMUSD policy for excused absences. (1 day to complete for each day absent to receive full credit) Teacher will use discretion in emergency/special situations. Extended time is authorized in compliance with a student’s IEP. (Must be set up in advance, not after walking into class with an incomplete assignment on the due day)

EXTRA CREDIT Never necessary when all work is completed satisfactorily. Extra credit will not be allowed until all work (assignments, projects, etc) is satisfactorily completed.

Materials ”tools to do your job”

Materials ”tools” Student Planner (Must be replaced if lost or destroyed $6) Student ID card (Must be replaced if lost $5) Leisure reading book 3 ring binder over 2” (anything less than this is too small!) College ruled lined paper ( please no perforated, tear-out sheets) Dividers for subjects 2 pencils that work and have lead (regular #2) 2 pens- Red for corrections ( ) Colored pencils Flash cards Hand held pencil sharpener that catches the shavings Eraser

Curriculum

Read Naturally Short, high interest stories read on the computer Reading skills targeted include –Fluency –Comprehension –Vocabulary –Predicting

KEYSTONE Our Language Arts Classroom Textbook All students have a textbook, a reader’s companion, and a workbook. Homework will be given out of these student workbooks. Occasionally I will send home the textbook with student. This program integrates language development and content for middle school students.

Math Full Implementation of Common Core Our math timeline for the first semester includes the following concepts: Place Value, Decimals, Money, Time, Addition, Word Problems, Subtraction, Fractions, Multiplication and Division. All lessons are taught based on grade level appropriate Common Core Standards with adaptations for individual student needs. All lessons include conceptual based learning strategies that integrate real-world problem solving skills.

Jupitergrades.com Grades posted online –Log in: Student name or ID # –Password: temporary password given. You set up on first use.

Library Ms. DeForges Available for students before school and during some lunches for quiet study, reading, research, and to check books in and out To use during lunch, students request a pass from a Noon Supervisor Must come prepared with own pens, pencils, and paper ELA students will visit every 3 weeks. Students MUST have student ID to check out books. Students will be fined for overdue books. (student planner page 21/32)

Class Supplies (Wish List) White board markers Glue sticks Kleenex Xerox/Copy Paper Index cards Lined paper Prize Box Items Scissors Pencils Small pencil sharpeners Colored Pencils Erasers

Contact Information Rachel Chapin Room ext Please contact me if you have a question or concern. We are a team!