2. Welcome to Mrs. McLaughlin’s Language Arts Class! What Students and Parents Need to Know…

3. Ready! Set! Learn! Student Expectations: -Follow all class and school rules -Follow the PWCS Code of Behavior -Bring all materials to class -Come to class on time -Complete all assignments -Study! Study! Study! -Practice! Practice! Practice! -Always try your very best!

4. What are the class rules? Be respectful of others at all times. Be in the classroom and seated when the tardy bell rings. Bring all materials to class each day. Sit in your assigned seat and do not leave your seat without permission. Listen to instructions the first time that they are given. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak or go somewhere. Do not use vulgar language or profanity. No teasing, fighting, or bullying. Do not touch or use the personal property of others without explicit permission to do so. No personal grooming in class. Do not consume food, gum, or candy in the classroom. Follow all county, school, classroom teacher, and 8 th grade team rules. Come prepared with completed assignments and a working attitude. Sign rules/regulations/ procedures with a parent/guardian and return.

5. What are the class procedures? Homework is assigned daily and is expected to be completed and turned in on time the next day that class is scheduled, at the beginning of the class period. Class work is to be completed during class and turned in at the end of the class period. It is the student’s responsibility to make-up all missed assignments due to absences. The make-up work due to absences can be found in the red crate with the numbered blue folders. Completed missed work should be placed in the appropriate class period green tray in the front of the room. Students need to bring pencils, pens, homework, paper, and their spiral notebooks to class everyday; the need for additional materials will always be announced prior to class. Students must always have an agenda in order to leave class. Students are not allowed to go to their lockers during class. Students are not allowed to go to the bathroom / water fountain during the initial teaching of a lesson (first 20 minutes or last 10 minutes of class). The teacher will dismiss students when the room is clean, in order, and students are quiet.

6. What is the grading scale? Grading Scale: 90-100= A 87-89= B+ 80-86= B 77-79= C+ 70-76= C 67-69= D+ 60-66= D 59 and below = F

7. What are the grading amounts ? 8 th Grade Language Arts Grading Amounts: Formative Assessments (20%) -Classwork -Quizzes -Homework Summative Assessments (80%) -Tests -Projects -Essays (full writings)

8. What is the syllabus/pacing guide? 9 Weeks #1- Fiction/ Nonfiction and Writing 9 Weeks #2 –Fiction/ Nonfiction and Writing 9 Weeks #3-Fiction/Nonfiction/ Research and Writing 9 Weeks #4- Poetry and Writing Ongoing Skills-Grammar, Vocabulary, The Domains and Types of Writing, Reading Strategies, SOL Preparation, and Research Skills

9. What is the class routine? Daily Language Warm-up Daily Writing ON-Demand Warm-Up Sentence Structure Skills Grammar Skills (ex. Parts of Speech, punctuation, mechanics, etc.) Reading Warm-Up (comprehension practice) Short text or novel reading/writing analysis Writing in Process (an on-going essay)

10. When are assessments? Students are assessed on objectives and skills learned at least once every week or every other week, depending on the length of time it takes for the students to master the objective/skill.

11. When is homework assigned? Homework is usually assigned everyday in the form of skills practice and periodic skills- based projects. Weekend homework is only assigned if students get behind during the week, are absent, or if students do not complete their work.

12. Due Dates?? Daily homework is always due the following class meeting. Short term and long term projects are always given a week and a weekend or two weeks and two weekends. All work is expected to be turned in on time!

13. Where can I find the assignments? Student agenda Classroom front board School fusion

14. How can I be contacted? mclaugkl@ pwcs.edu (703) 670-6166 ext. # 270 Send a note by your child

15. How will I know how my child is doing? Periodic progress reports (via student) Periodic phone calls (if needed) Letters home (via mail and if needed) Check school fusion every other week Check interims and report cards Students expected to fill-out a self-assessment after each quarter with goals and reflections Students who have low grades, there are periodic auto-dialers to inform the parent/guardian

16. Supplies -1- three OR five-subject notebook -Several packs of loose-leaf notebook paper -2-pocket folders to hold assignments (if your notebook does not have pockets) -Several packs of #2 pencils -Several packs of blue/ black pens Index cards Box of tissue -Dictionary (at home) -Thesaurus (at home) **Note** students may need additional materials such as markers, crayons, construction paper, scissors, glue, small poster boards, etc. for projects that will be assigned throughout the school year.

17. Extra Help Tuesday-Thursday by appointment ( no later than 4 p.m. pick-up) Must have a parent/guardian note every time

18. Textbooks Textbooks are used in class (already available for students). Textbooks will only be issued upon parent written request or temporarily due to an absence. All textbook readings will be done in class under teacher supervision in order to monitor reading comprehension. Independent novels should be available for use in class and at home.

19. What should students do daily? Read at least 20-30 minutes a day (fiction and nonfiction works). Readings could come from novels, the newspaper, magazines, etc. Write 15-20 minutes everyday (especially when the class starts journaling). Study notes everyday. Do daily practice homework. Keep organized. Use agenda to keep track of due dates. Use the family calendar to keep track of due dates. Bring all materials to class everyday!

20. Parent Tips Parent Tips for Student Academic Success: Set a morning and evening routine. Talk to each other-find out what is going on. Avoid surprises. Plan ahead. Use one calendar to manage your child’s schedule, activities, appointments, etc. Check your child’s daily agenda/planner every day. Check the school and class web pages often. Check your child’s grades periodically. Be realistic with the number of outside activities that your child and your family can handle. Keep a small supply of school items on hand. Make sure that your child is studying daily, reading daily, and journaling daily (writing). Try to make family outings and vacations educational (visit a museum or have your child journal about their experience). Stay positive and focused. Try to find positive solutions to areas that need improvement. Celebrate the successes!

21. Questions

22. Let’s have a… SUPER LEARNING AND MIND-BLOWING- GROWING YEAR!