1. Ms. Gamble’s, RELA Class
Grade 8

2. A bit about me… Greetings Parents! My name is D. Gamble.
I have been teaching for over 15 years. My past times include jewelry making, creative writing and dabbling with paint. I love working with your children and I am very excited about the new school year!

3. How to contact me: 301-817-0310 (school) delia.gamble@pgcps.org
is the best way to get in touch with me.
You may also text me on my cell. See me afterwards for the number.

4. How I will contact you:
I will reach out to you in several ways, including:
Daily notes (if needed)
Google Classroom
REMIND
Phone calls
Newsletter

5. Student Expectations
Students are expected to be prepared each day with:
Binders with loose leaf paper
Something to write with! I prefer that each student have a pencil pouch – full of pencils, ready to go!
Independent reading materials (book & journal – kept in class)

6. 50 will be the lowest grade given if the work has been attempted.
Grading Scale, RELA 8
Grade Scale:
A = 90 – 100
B = 80 – 89
C = 70 – 79
D = 60 – 69
E = 59 and below
50 will be the lowest grade given if the work has been attempted.

7. Assessments can be retaken once if taken and failed the first time.
Grade/Weight Scale
Grade Weights:
Classwork = 40%
Homework = 10%
Assessment = 50%
Assessments can be retaken once if taken and failed the first time.

8. Retaking a Failed Assessment
Students retake an assessment covering the same skills, after:
The test was taken the first time and failed
Students have received a “re-teach” of the failed skills
Re-teaches may be provided after school.
Assessments include tests, quizzes, reports, essays, passion projects, etc.
Retakes must be requested and completed in a timely manner.

9. Partnering with Parents!
The classroom runs best when we all work together.
Please check that your children are doing their homework each night. Daily homework includes:
10 minutes of vocabulary.com
20 minutes of independent reading
Any assigned work from the school day
Want to Volunteer? Tag-along on a field trip? Please follow the protocols in the handout provided.

10. Middle School Behavior
Transitioning to adulthood can be a challenge. Common behavior issues seen during this time, include:
Insubordination
Disorganization/Tardiness
Refusal to do Classwork/Homework
Refusal to Wear the Correct Uniform
Texting on Cellphones in Class
Refusal to Eat School Lunches

11. RELA 8, Curriculum The RELA, Grade 8 Objectives are to:
Further develop reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, language and critical thinking skills and to Ensure college and career readiness
To this end, we will utilize the following:
Reading Focus/Selections
Writing from Sources
Informative
Argumentative
Narrative
Evidence-based Discussions
Language and Grammar
See the Family Resource Hand out for Unit 1!

12. MAP- NWEA Testing
Reading Comprehension will be assessed 3 times per year using the MAP, NWEA Reading Assessment.
MAP stands for Measures of Academic Progress; is a national assessment and provides teachers with several pieces of information, including:
Ready for Instruction Level
Lexile ranges (reading level)
Scores in 3 domains (Literature, Informational Text and Vocabulary
This data will be provided to parents on a quarterly basis.

13. Questions?