Rachel Chapin Specialized Academic Instructor

1. Rachel ChapinSpecialized Academic Instructor Reading English Language Arts (ELA) and Math rachel.chapin@smusd.org

2. Welcome Parents! • Welcome to middle school! I am very excited to be working with you and your child this year. • My goal is to work with you to provide a positive learning experience for your child. • This information is here to help and serve as a guide for you, but feel free to contact me at any time. rachel.chapin@smusd.org

4. Health &Nutrition • Make sure students eat breakfast • Provide students with a nutritious snack. • Students are encouraged to carry a water bottle. • It is extremely important that students get AT LEAST 8-9 hours of sleep

5. School Policies • Cell phones are for use before and after school. If you have an emergency please contact the office. • No Gum… School beautification • Dress Code will be enforced • Tardies: Students may be assigned detention, Thursday School or Saturday school • Detailed description of all policies are in the planner. (Pages 20 – 42 in English and Spanish)

6. Class Rules • Be Respectful to Everyone • Always do Your Best Work • Be Prepared Every Day • Have fun! Class motto… “I am responsible for myself.”

7. Positives • Compliments • Individual Raffle Tickets • Trade Tickets for Prizes • Homework Pass • Computer Time • Front of the Line pass • Class Points For a Party • Team points

8. Consequences • Warning • Moment of Reflection with Teacher • Reflective Writing Assignment • Call home • Escort to Office • Referral/ Phone call home/Saturday School

9. Homework/Classwork • Homework will be given Monday-Thursday and occasionally on Friday. • Homework is a valuable extension from what is taught in class, and it is important that students complete their homework every night.

10. Homework/Classwork • ELA – Spelling, vocabulary, writing, grammar and punctuation • Reading – Practice, practice, practice! Minimum of 20 minutes a night. Reading log filled out Monday – Thursday. (Daily comprehension/Free read)

11. Grading System • Point system • Participation • Citizenship grades are based upon compliance to the school and classroom rules. • More extensive assignments will be worth more points • Incompleteassignments will not be graded • Late work = -70% of the possible points

12. Late Work • General rule for all subject areas is that late work is not acceptable, as we are building student responsibility and preparing students for the next level of secondary education. (30% penalty for late work) • I will comply with the SMUSD policy for excused absences. (1 day to complete for each day absent to receive full credit) • Teacher will use discretion in emergency/special situations. • Extended time is authorized in compliance with a student’s IEP. (Must be set up in advance, not after walking into class with an incomplete assignment on the due day)

13. Extra credit • Never necessary when all work is completed satisfactorily. • Extra credit will not be allowed until all work (assignments, projects, etc) is satisfactorily completed.

14. Materials”tools to do your job”

15. Materials”tools” • Student Planner (Must be replaced if lost or destroyed $6) • Student ID card (Must be replaced if lost $5) • Leisure reading book • 3 ring binder over 2” (anything less than this is too small!) • College ruled lined paper ( please no perforated, tear-out sheets) • Dividers for subjects • 2 pencils that work and have lead (regular #2) • 2 pens- Red for corrections () • Colored pencils • Flash cards • Hand held pencil sharpener that catches the shavings • Eraser

16. Curriculum

17. Read Naturally • Short, high interest stories read on the computer • Reading skills targeted include • Fluency • Comprehension • Vocabulary • Predicting

18. KEYSTONEOur Language Arts Classroom Textbook All students have a textbook, a reader’s companion, and a workbook. Homework will be given out of these student workbooks. Occasionally I will send home the textbook with student. This program integrates language development and content for middle school students.

19. MathFull Implementation of Common Core Our math timeline for the first semester includes the following concepts: Place Value, Decimals, Money, Time, Addition, Word Problems, Subtraction, Fractions, Multiplication and Division. All lessons are taught based on grade level appropriate Common Core Standards with adaptations for individual student needs. All lessons include conceptual based learning strategies that integrate real-world problem solving skills.

20. Jupitergrades.com • Grades posted online www.jupitergrades.com • Log in: Student name or ID # • Password: temporary password given. You set up on first use.

21. LibraryMs. DeForges • Available for students before school and during some lunches for quiet study, reading, research, and to check books in and out • To use during lunch, students request a pass from a Noon Supervisor • Must come prepared with own pens, pencils, and paper • ELA students will visit every 3 weeks. Students MUST have student ID to check out books. • Students will be fined for overdue books. (student planner page 21/32)

22. White board markers Glue sticks Kleenex Xerox/Copy Paper Index cards Lined paper Prize Box Items Scissors Pencils Small pencil sharpeners Colored Pencils Erasers Class Supplies(Wish List)

23. Contact Information • Rachel Chapin Room 8 • rachel.chapin@smusd.org • 290-2900 ext. 3595 Please contact me if you have a question or concern. We are a team!