1. Meet the Teacher 2015-2016 8 th Grade English Language Arts Ms. Steffen

2. Ms. Steffen OWelcome to 8th grade! I am excited to get to know each of you. OI majored in Secondary English Education at the University of Florida. OI have been teaching Language Arts at Centennial Middle School for 10 years. OI truly love the art of language and hope to share it with all of my students!

3. 8 th Grade Expectations O Late Work O Students will be assigned to lunch bunch if they do not complete practice work O Supplies O Pens, pencils, and highlighters O Red Folder O College-Ruled Loose Leaf Paper O Composition Book O Always keep a chapter book with you in your backpack for SSR!

4. Writing O Arguments to support claims O Informative/Explanatory O Narrative O Research/Evidence based O Presentation with Commentary

5. Reading O Literary TextInformational Text O Cite textual evidence*Cite Evidence O Determine theme*Central Idea O Narrative analysis*Text Connections O Compare and contrast*Meaning of Words O Points of view and Phrases O Text to film comparison*Paragraph Structure O Allusion*Media and Argument Analysis * Authors POV

6. Accountable Independent Reading (AIR) Students will be required to independently read and track one book per quarter. At the end of a 6-week period the students will be assessed on their knowledge of their book.

7. Units of Study Unit 1 – Understanding Close Reading O Focus: Reading Closely for Textual Details O “Island of Hope, island of tears” Unit 2 – Understanding Evidence-based Claims O Focus: Making Evidenced-Based Claims O “Out of Kilter”

8. Units of Study O Module 1 – Finding Home: Refugees O Focus: Reading Closely and Writing To Learn O Inside Out and Back Again O Standards O Examining How Word Choice Contributes to Meaning and Tone in Literary and Informational Texts O Analysis Essay O Narrative Poetry

9. Units of Study O Module 2 – A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Comedy of Control O Focus: Working with Evidence O A Midsummer Night’s Dream O Standards O Text to Film Comparison O Argument Essay O Narrative/Extended Response

10. How Can You Help? You are the most influential person in your child’s life. Your presence is evidence of your commitment to your child’s success. O Ask your child to share one part of his or her day with you… (sweet/sour, highs/lows) O Check the website and online grades. O If you have any concerns about your child here at school, never hesitate to email! O Look for progress reports 4 th -5 th week. O NEVER hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. We have the same goal for your child which is to help him/her reach his/her highest potential! We’re in this together.

11. Questions/Concerns O Email: lsteffen@kyrene.org O Phone: 480-541-6523