1. Beattie Middle School Open House Welcome! Dale Whitehurst English 8 (Per. 2,3) English 8H (Per. 1,4,5) 2015-2016 Please be sure to sign- in on the clipboard that will go around the room…10 points (extra credit) for your student.

2. Contact Information Ask questions and get clarification dale_whitehurst@redlands.k12.ca.us 909-307-2400 Ext. 40715 Check assignments and due dates Beattie’s Web Site http://beattie.redlandsusd.net  Communities, Teacher Web Sites, English, Whitehurst Read the weekly e-mail (I need your e-mail if I don’t already have it…I sent out 279 e-mails last week) Parent Portal https://parents.redlandsusd.net

3. A Little Bit About Me Redlands High School graduate (Class of ‘75!) Bachelor of Arts in English/Business from UC Riverside Masters of Education from California State University, San Bernardino Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from La Sierra University 14 years teaching English/Leadership 22 years as a Principal and Assistant Principal GATE, ELD Certificated Adjunct Professor at the University of Redlands Married for 31 years Five daughters ranging in ages from 21 to 30 Reserve Police Officer, Redlands PD, for 21 years

4. Goals and Objectives for the Year Vocabulary Figurative language – idioms, analogies, similes, metaphors, personification, allusion, etc. Word parts – prefixes, root words, suffixes, Word meanings – context clues SAT Vocabulary and terms from the literature Reading Reading strategies Literary analysis of fiction and Non-Fiction (novels, short stories, poetry, etc.) Major novels: Night, The Glory Field, Edgar Allan Poe’s Collected Works Plays: The Diary of Anne Frank Varied Short Stories and Excerpts from Novels Non-Fiction/Informational Text in Many Forms Assorted Poetry including Figurative Language and Literary Conventions Analysis of non-fiction (essays, informational materials, poems, etc.) Writing Use the writing process (pre-writing, drafting, editing, revising, publishing) Apply writing strategies to compose multi-paragraph business letters, essays, narratives, responses to literature, persuasive essays, expository essays, summaries, and research reports Development of a Writing Portfolio including a Portfolio Night in May Conventions Parts of speech and sentence structure Grammar and usage Punctuation, capitalization, and spelling Listening and Speaking Use speaking techniques to deliver oral presentations individually and in groups Structured/formal speeches (at least three this school year) Ask and respond to questions Other Areas of Focus: Organization, time management, study skills, and test-taking strategies, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY Language Arts Standards for the Eighth Grade Primary Anthological Text: Collections Close Reader Web Site: my.hrw.com 10-digit SSID number is both login and password.

5. Homework Students can expect homework most every night (I try to avoid weekends, but long-term assignments will extend over the weekends often)….no more than about a half-hour per night in English…it may vary. The homework is posted on the board at all times, students are given time to copy the homework into their Agendas, and an e-mail goes out weekly. BARF Logs (a.k.a. reading logs) are due monthly/weekly with a parent/guardian signature required on this assignment. In addition, students may be required to read from one of the core novels or textbook, complete an assignment from one of the student workbooks, complete a worksheet, work on a piece of writing, or any other similar type of activity. My website is updated with daily class work, nightly homework, due dates, and key documents.

6. Grading I use Parent Portal for grading with the following weighted categories: Class Work/Homework - 45% Quizzes/Tests/Assessments– 30% Vocabulary Quizzes – (Including vocabulary quizzes) 10% Large Projects (BARF, Speeches, etc.) – 10% Citizenship/Classroom Participation – 5%. The more challenging and time-consuming the assignment, the more points it is worth. In addition to the website, grades are available to students before school, at lunch, after school, or if time allows, during class. I may also send home progress reports that require a parent/guardian signature. If you need to communicate with me, feel free to call, e-mail, send a note to class, or write a note in the agenda and I will respond. Speaking of Parent Portal, please refer to the ½ sheet at the back of the room if you have not enrolled in Parent Portal.

7. Parent Portal

8. Contact: Marissa Cesar Library Paraprofesssional 307-2400 Ext. 40508

9. Class Behavior and Expectations Students are expected to follow Beattie’s expectations. I also request that students come prepared for class, behave respectfully, and try their best. Consequences include a warning to the student, a time out of class, then parent contact. Repeated offenses and more serious infractions may result in a referral, but I’ll call you first. Some incentives for good behavior include: Positive phone calls and e-mails home; notes in the agenda; papers posted on the wall of the classroom; etc.

10. Essays and other Formal Writing Assigned – usually a week or two to complete a rough draft Two peer-editors: One must be one of my students, and other can be a parent Students turn in rough draft and two edit sheets with the final paper I grade the final copy making sure all pre- writing, rough draft, and peer writing documents are included

11. Essays/Formal Writing-Format MLA Style Sheet (same as the high schools) 1” Margins Double Spaced (entire document including the header, heading, title, between paragraphs, and Works Cited page if appropriate) 12 point, Times New Roman font ½” Indentation with Each Paragraph Header-(top/right) ½” down=Last Name and Page Number No title page; no folder; notebook. These are the expectations at all three comprehensive high schools in Redlands…

12. That’s All Folks….. Questions???? Thanks for coming tonight!!!!! Be sure you’ve singed in…it’s ten extra- credit points for your student!!!

13. Tip #1 – Practice Vocabulary Nightly or Weekly Vocabulary words are assigned weekly and should be reviewed daily or at least twice weekly. Vocabulary comes straight from the literature and include designated SAT Preparation Words. Flashcards are helpful, and students can review on the go or give them to a peer or parent for periodic quizzing. Students are responsible for: Synonym, Sentence, and a Drawing (I give them the Word, Part of Speech, and Definition). They will be tested each Friday. Students should not wait until the last minute to try to learn the words and word parts. If the words are reviewed along the way, one will avoid cramming the night before the test and actually learn the words! Tips for Success

14. Tip #2 Do Additional Grammar Pages for Practice We tackle one to two grammar concepts each week. At the completion of a grammar unit, we will review the concepts and apply them together. Students will then be tested on their knowledge of the concepts covered. If a student does not understand a concept covered in class, there are additional exercises that can be completed. If a student needs his or her work checked, I can look at it in the morning, at lunch or after school. Students should not wait until the day before a test to get help on concepts they didn’t understand in class. Tips for Success

15. Tip #3 Complete BARF Logs Completely and Accurately BARF Logs are due every Week or Month/ I am available if students have BARF questions, but because there is a month to complete the assignment, I’m not as understanding of questions that come in the day the assignment is due. It is suggested that students read a minimum of a half hour daily. A parent signature is required as proof of reading. Logs should not be faked, forged, or copied. A log that is a day late or missing a parent signature can only earn an 50%. Those lost points add up! Tips for Success

16. Tip #4 Do Not Procrastinate on Reading Assignments Procrastination will only lead to stress! Students should break reading and book projects up into small chunks and set goals to have different parts of the project done at different checkpoints. This will help them complete the project in a timely manner and do their best work at the same time! Even if I don’t physically collect the work, parents can help students set mini-deadlines. Tips for Success

17. Tip #5 Have Someone Proofread All Writing Assignments Students should have a peer or parent proofread all major writing assignments before they are due. This will help students catch errors they didn’t know they had. Sometimes it helps if the student reads the paper aloud to catch sentence structure and flow mistakes. Parents can also take a look at directions and grading rubrics, then read the paper to make sure that all directions have been followed. Name, date, and period should go on EVERYTHING!! Tips for Success

18. Tip #6 Use the Agenda and the Website All work is posted on the board. If students feel they’ve missed something, it is also on the website. Take the time to write things down – most people can’t remember everything unless they see it on a list or in a note!

19. Tip #7 Stay Organized There is less of a chance of work getting lost or forgotten if the notebook is organized and students take the time to put their work in the appropriate places. Parents can periodically check backpacks and binders to ensure work is being filed properly. Don’t throw anything away unless given the go-ahead by the teacher. Tips for Success

20. Tip #8 Ask for Help Students are encouraged to ask questions if they need help. I can answer questions during class if students need clarification or further explanation. However, if a student needs one-on-one help with a writing assignment, project, or is really stuck on a concept, I am available before school, at lunch, or after school. Tips for Success

21. Tip #9 Make Up All Absent Work Often times students are absent, but neglect to get their make-up work. Remember, students are responsible for all assignments, even when they are absent. Students can check the website for work missed, email me, or see me upon their return to get all assignments, including vocabulary words and grammar pages, or to make-up a test. I would like advance notice or an email if a student will be absent for an extended period of time or on the day a major assignment/project is due or if he or she will be missing a presentation. Tips for Success

22. Donations Accepted printer/copy paper - white & color ruled notebook paper pens, pencils, and markers other art supplies old magazines for projects current youth oriented magazines for SSR new and used young adult novels antibacterial handsoap tissue

23. Class Supplies Students should bring the following items to class each day: A three ring binder with a section for English (w/paper): Subject Dividers  Vocabulary  Notes  Assignments  Quick-Writes/Journal  Returned Work The Agenda Paper, pens (blue, black), and pencils (black, red, green) Material for outside reading and ROAR Log Homework (both in progress and completed) Flash drive Any other materials that are requested

24. Typical Daily Schedule We will begin our English class with a warm- up activity generally related to the reading or a quickwrite. After completing the warm-up, we will move into the lesson for the day. The lesson usually focuses on reading strategies, literary analysis, or writing, but may also include vocabulary, grammar, or listening and speaking activities. At the end of the period, we’ll review key concepts to assess student learning.