WELCOME TO 8 TH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS/READING Yellow Team Mrs. Megan Winthrop

1. WELCOME TO 8TH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS/READINGYellow TeamMrs. Megan Winthrop

2. Eighth Grade Language Arts and ReadingHerrick Middle SchoolYellow TeamMrs. Megan Winthropmwinthrop@dg58.org I am very excited to work with each one of your children this year and cannot wait for a fun year filled with challenges and learning! Class Requirements Each student is expected to come to class prepared, on time, and ready to learn. Students are required to bring all supplies, including their assignment notebook, which will be filled out at the beginning of the week and at the end of the period each day. All homework should be completed and turned in at the beginning of the class period. Our classroom theme this year is “Work Hard and Be Nice!”

3. Absences It is a STUDENT’S responsibility to turn in late work and get caught up when he or she is absent. In preparation for high school, I expect my students to contact me with questions about missed assignments, assessments or projects. I am available to meet with him/her one-on-one before or after school or during homebase. I will not be able to do this during class time. Students are reminded to check the absence folders by the door, when returning, for handouts that they may have missed. I also encourage to check my website and contact a friend. I am also available by email and usually return emails right away! Please help me in encouraging your student to be PROACTIVE when absent! s

4. Communication I believe in the power of communication for successful learning. Don’t hesitate to reach out. Best way to reach me is email: mwinthrop@dg58.org Encourage your child to be proactive and check his/her email. I send reminders, suggestions, tips, etc. I am available to help students before and after school most days- I just need to know ahead of time to ensure no meetings have been scheduled!

5. Curriculum Breakdown

6. ReadingReading is broken down between Literature and Informational Texts. I follow the state adopted Common Core Standards for grading. PERCENTAGES CHANGE PER QUARTER! RL- Reading Literature, RI- Reading Informational Text (The capital letters are the categories and the bold words are the descriptors) 8RL. KEY IDEAS: Determines and analyzes key ideas and details of literature pieces:15% 8RL. STRUCTURE: Analyze the structure of texts through comparison of other texts and styles: 10% 8RL. INTEGRATION: Integrates knowledge and ideas by analysis and comparison of literary pieces to film and traditional written pieces: 5% 8RL. COMPLEXITY: Reads and comprehends literature at grade level expectations: 15% Please note that Reading Literature would be considered novels, short stories, historical fiction, plays, etc. Reading Informational Text would be considered nonfiction pieces such as websites, newspaper articles, instruction booklets, etc. T

7. Reading continued: • Reading Informational Text: RI (The capital letters are the categories and the bold words are the descriptors) 8RI. KEY IDEAS: Determines and analyzes key ideas and details of nonfiction pieces:15% 8RI. STRUCTURE: Analyze the structure of texts through comparison of other texts and styles, including vocab: 10% 8RI. INTEGRATION: Integrates knowledge and ideas by analysis and comparison of pieces as well as assessing validity of claims and arguments: l5% 8RL. COMPLEXITY: Reads and comprehends informational text at grade level expectations: 15%

8. Language Arts Grading Standards The grade breakdown changes each quarter depending on what curriculum we are covering at that time. I will notify students of the breakdown at the beginning of each quarter. This is Quarter 1: • 8L-Mechanics (grammar): 15% • 8L-Vocabulary (Growing Your Vocabulary workbook-roots, prefixes and suffixes and within read): 15% • 8SL-Speaking/Listening (participation in class discussions, group discussions, presentations, speeches and following specific verbal instructions: 15% • 8W-Process (The writing process- drafting, writing, editing, revising, conferencing, publishing) : 15% • 8W-Purpose: (Writing in general- will include short pieces, formal essays, responses to writing and creative writing): 20% • 8W-Research: (Research for reading and writing- direct instruction and self-guided) 10% • 8W-Technology: (Use of technology for projects) 5%

9. Reading My main goal is to get your child to read more and hopefully instill a love of it. • Reader’s Workshop- Students are expected to read a certain amount of pages per week and turn in a log on Fridays. (YOU SHOULD SEE YOUR CHILD READING AT HOME NIGHTLY) • FOCUS: Individual growth in areas based on MAP scores as well as assessments in class. I group students often based on standards but they are fluid groups that change as students grow. (Ex- May be in a higher level group for Non-fiction focusing on author’s craft versus Fiction and pulling out themes, etc.) • I will conference with students for goal setting and meet with them individually through out the year.

10. Reading Contd... • In class units: • Short Stories that include a mystery unit • Introduction to Shakespeare with an abridged version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream • Dystopian Unit and class novel, Uglies • Holocaust Unit of lit books and the play version of A Diary of Anne Frank • Survival Unit Literature Circles • The Outsiders, focusing on higher level text marking skills

11. Grammar- This will be taught directly, as well as through writing and application • New Process • Start with prepositions taught directly or leveled to incorporate in writing and reading • Teaching concepts such as comma usage and types of sentences through mentor sentences and modeling and students finding examples in their novels and own writing. • Goal: More incorporation of skills within in writing and reading • Your child WILL KNOW AND USE Good vs. Well by the end of the year!

12. Writer’s Workshop • Goal: To incorporate writing more authentically, prepare students for high school and have fun! • Curriculum: Nancie Atwell’s In the Middle and the Writer’s Workshop Model • More creative writing! • Learning skills through modeling • Learning the IMPORTANCE OF REVISING and EDITING • These will go hand in hand with our larger writing assignments.

13. Downers Grove North Three options for ninth graders: • English – regular class • Interdisciplinary- co-taught with history- good for those that like group settings, interested in history. • Honors- Very rigorous and must be recommended How can my student get recommended for honors? • Explore Scores (score 20 in the reading section– test is taken in October) • If a student is interested in being in the honors class, he or she should sign up for the writing prompt through the high school (they will contact you with those times via mail) • Teacher recommendation (a student that is actively seeking out challenges, regularly participates in class, and goes above and beyond what is expected) • Grades- the student must maintain an A average for the entire 7th and 8th grade years