1. Back to School Night Welcome! Ms. Kavalek, English Team Quest

2. Homeroom & RA Possible activities: Band/chorus Art club Sewing Club Yearbook Ecology Club Intramurals L-Tag Student Council SADD Homeroom= 8:05-8:12 Resource/Activity Period= 8:15-8:45  designated days are for review clinics ex. English= Tuesday RA

3. Classrooms: trailers (language)...out my door, down the steps, and outside through the doors….numbers are 00_ (ex. 005) math & social studies (rooms 12, 14, and 15)… out my door, down the steps, and into the lower level Mr. Gibson (math)……15 Mr. Hansberry (social studies)…..12 Mr. Benson (social studies)…..14 science…room 156 (Ms. Lutton)….out my door, turn right at the end of the hallway, and then turn left into the last classroom before the t intersection arts/ health/ PE…auditorium (all ARTS teachers will be there)…out my door, turn right, and go left into the auditorium

5. B.A. in Secondary Education English from Juniata College M.A. in English from Arcadia University 27 graduate credits beyond my M.A. start of my 11 th year of teaching –NMS (start of my 9th year here) –CR North & RMS

6. Academic English 8 Honors English 8 *Both courses address the same skills in the areas of reading, writing, grammar, and research; in addition, both courses address speaking and listening skills. The rigor of Honors English 8 sets it apart. Students in this course must be able to read and analyze challenging texts very well, critically write about and discuss those texts, and quickly grasp grammatical and research concepts. The pacing is significantly more rigorous, as is the amount of work assigned.

7. ELA Program: Council Rock’s English/ Language Arts program addresses reading informational text and literature, writing, speaking, listening, researching, and word study. This class exposes students to forms of literature (short stories, plays, novels, and poetry), literary themes and elements, active reading strategies, and analysis skills. Because reading and writing are intertwined, students will make observations about the role of the reader and the role of the writer. Students will do responsive, persuasive, expository, and creative writing. In addition, they will conduct research and master the fundamental concepts of grammar. With speaking and listening, students will work in small groups and engage in whole class discussions.

8. Active Reading Boosts Comprehension Post-it Strategies (required)= Clarify, Predict, Question, Connect, Talk to Text, Summarize

9. Honors= -short stories from Glencoe -short stories from Currents in Fiction* -poetry packet -Night* by Elie Wiesel -Dandelion Wine* by Ray Bradbury -Chasing Lincoln’s Killer* by James L. Swanson -Midsummer Night’s Dream* by Shakespeare All classes  Reading Goal= 25 books Literature Selections: *= good title to purchase for active reading on the text

10. Academic= -short stories from Glencoe -Chasing Lincoln’s Killer* by James L. Swanson -Inherit the Wind* by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee -poetry -Night* by Elie Wiesel Possibly… Blizzard’s Wake by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor All classes  Reading Goal= 25 books Literature Selections: *= good title to purchase for active reading on the text

11. Writing: Responsive, persuasive, expository*, and creative writing Food for Thought:  Strong writers spend approx. 2/3 of their time planning and drafting; they cut material, move ideas, and expand ideas to develop content well.  Good writers read their work aloud, not from the computer, but a printed page. They “talk to the text” while editing.

12. Grammar= language of writing! building blocks sequential units practice tests (always formatted as actual tests) Research = end of 2 nd marking period into 3 rd m.p. -packet will come home -step by step process -research work is major portion of 3 rd marking period grade!

13. Daily Routine: Daily Routine  warm-Up (always) may include….. whole class instruction partner work group work individual work review activities/ games reading together reading analysis discussion writing  recording homework (always)

14. Sample Warm-up Activity: run sentence get it all line read line

15.  Homework stamp sheet/grade sheet= student’s responsibility -at front of binder- you can ask to see it at any time  Respect  Adherence to dress code  Assignment book daily  No late homework  Responsible use of homework website  Preparation/ participation log  Behavior=warning detention phone call home referral to principal

16. Make-up Work = student’s responsibility  check homework website (homework descriptions will be listed there. Sometimes resources are posted).  Go to NMS website and click 8A: Quest www.crs.orgwww.crs.org  Click on Ms. Kavalek link and go to homework page  call classmate to get more information  see me upon return to school and schedule time to complete missing work

17. Opportunities to Get Help:  Tuesday during RA (8:15 to 8:45am)  Thursday after school (3:05 to 3:45pm)  special clinics (announced in class)

18. My Contact Information:  email: tkavalek@crsd.org  school phone number: 215-944-2600 Thank you for being here tonight. As always, thanks for your time and constant support. Together, we can ensure that your child has a successful eighth grade year. Recipe for Success & Thank You!