1. Welcome to 8 th grade! Mrs. Steele Language Arts 8Blue

2. Line-Up  Line up by birth date (January birthdays on the left continuing through December)  NO TALKING – only hand signals  3 minutes

3. While I am taking attendance and completing the seating chart, you must quietly work on the following: Nametag Get a piece of paper from the center of your table Fold it hot dog style In the middle, write your name in large letters In each corner, write the following: Favorite food Favorite color Cartoon character that represents you Favorite hobby

4. All Around the Clock three appointments three different times three different people – you can’t make An appointment with someone more than once!!! one person per appointment two minutes to make appointments! Then what?

5. Curriculum- Common Core Standards  1 st quarter Unit: Who Am I? – Literary response – Cause/effect essay – poetry response – narrative writing – Novel: The House on Mango Street – Warm-ups – Speaking/Listening – We will explore the theme through a variety of short stories, poems, non-fiction, art, music, movie, discussions, picture books

6. Will I have homework??

7. What is expected of you?  A minimum of 20 minutes of reading EVERY night!!!!! (Yes, even Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)  Other assignments will be given periodically  20% of your overall grade

8. How do I know what the homework is each night?  You can figure out what your homework is by looking at the homework board  HINT: WRITE IT DOWN IN YOUR AGENDA!!!!!!

9. Do I need to bring anything to class EACH day?

10. Materials required EACH day:  Agenda – you are required to utilize your agenda DAILY  AR book  Reading/Writing Notebook (composition or spiral notebook)  Pencil/pen (blue or black ink)  Pocket folder with brads OR a 3-ring binder with sections for each class  POSITIVE ATTITUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11. What if I need HELP?

12. If you need extra help:  Don’t hesitate to ask questions!  I am available by appointment during lunch, as well as before or after school  Don’t wait until the last minute to have your questions answered!

13. Where do I turn in my assignments?

14. Complete Assignments  Make sure your name is on your paper before turning in  I will ask for papers – do not put them anywhere but in my hands or the hands of the student responsible for bringing me your table’s homework

15. How do I know what we are doing each day?

16. AGENDA  You can find the AGENDA along with the date on the white board HINT: This is what you should be writing in your agenda!!!

17. GRADING POLICY AJHS is moving toward a standards-based approach to grading. Therefore, the grade book will consist of fewer grades that help us determine whether or not students have mastered the language arts standards. Each quarter, the categories will change to reflect the standards that students are required to learn. Under each category, there will be only one or two assessments that will test student mastery and depth of knowledge. Students will practice and receive feedback on their progress before they are required to complete the assessment for a grade. Common Core Standards

18. Retaking Tests/Quizzes If you fail a test, you may retake the test one time! In order to retake a test, you MUST show me that you have studied and understand the material. You will be given the higher grade!

19. WHAT IF I’M ABSENT????

20. LATE WORK  20% reduction (1-10 days)  After 10 days, there will be a significant reduction in your grade  You will be required to complete ALL assignments – you will be held accountable for your work during Academic Lab and tutoring  Late work must be turned in to the late work tray on my desk

21. Missed work  It is YOUR responsibility to see me before or after class to get any work that you missed!  You have the exact number of days you were absent to make up work without penalty.

22. What if I finish my work early? Can I just run around the room and disrupt everyone else????

23. What Do I Do Next? Activities  Read your AR book  Work on unfinished assignments

24. IF YOU NEED… Procedures

25. If you need a pencil or paper: DO NOT ask me first. Quietly ask your classmates if they have an extra pencil or piece of paper. DO NOT just sit there and assume one will fall from the sky – be PROACTIVE!

26. IFYOU NEED A BOOK to read  You may borrow one from my personal library  Please be respectful and return the books to the shelf

27. If you need to go to the RESTROOM: 1.QUIETLY get up and ask me when teaching or discussiontime ends – DO NOT interrupt me during instruction – the answer will be NO!!! 2.Bring me your bathroom pass. 3.Sign out on the bathroom sign-in/sign-out sheet. 4.QUIETLY leave the room. 5.QUIETLY return to the room and sit back down.

28. If you need to KNOW YOUR GRADE: You may ask me what your grade is before or after class ONLY Progress reports go out at four and seven weeks

29. If you need other MATERIALS or a TISSUE: You may get up and get any materials as long as you do it quietly and it is NOT during instruction time!

30. If you need to SHARPEN YOUR PENCIL: Sharpen BEFORE class OR when teaching or discussion time is NOT taking place

31. If you need HELP: DO NOT get out of your seat and follow me around! Quietly ask a neighbor for help. If you still need help, RAISE YOUR HAND and continue working until I am able to assist you. DO NOT YELL out my name!!!!

32. Does it really matter if I am tardy?

33. OF COURSE !!!! What happens? Cheeks must be in the chair by the second bell or you are tardy!!! You get one warning (name will be written on RTC form and kept on file)

34. After your warning, you go to RTC every time you are tardy So... BE ON TIME!!!!

35. BEGINNING/ENDING CLASS PROCEDURES:

36. How should I enter the room? QUIETLY – no horseplay, yelling running BE IN YOUR SEAT and READY TO LEARN when the bell rings Have your AR book out and be ready to read – you will have 1 minute to get your book out and start reading

37. Can I pack up 5 minutes before the bell rings?

38. What do you think??? Of course not! (unless you want to owe me that time during your lunch period or passing time) You must continue working until the teacher tells you to pack up! You must remain in your seat! DO NOT line up at the door!!!!!!

39. Do I have to put my name on my assignments????

40. Only if you want credit for your hard work. All assignments should have the following in the upper right hand corner: Name Date Period

41. CLASSROOM RIGHTS It is your right, as a student, to exercise your responsibilities to respect the rights of others so that they may receive the education they deserve! You DO NOT have the right to interfere with the education of others! If you choose NOT to respect the rights of others, there will be consequences!

42. RTC Responsible Thinking Center

43. IF YOU CHOOSE TO DISRUPT THE CLASS...

44. YOU CHOOSE TO LEAVE!

45. Questions????

46. I am looking forward to a great year!

47. EXIT SLIP On the exit slip, write the following: 1)One question you still have about Language Arts 2) One thing you are looking forward to in LA this year