Welcome to Reading with Ms. Hudspeth! 7 th Grade Pre-AP & Academic

1. Welcome to Readingwith Ms. Hudspeth!7th Grade Pre-AP & Academic iCARE I  = Integrity C = Community A = Accountability R = Respect E = Excellence http://youtu.be/_SQNO5dFOhg

2. Contact Information: • Please get an index card and write your contact information (name, e-mail, and phone number). • Gabrielle Hudspeth • E-mail: gabriellekhudspeth@katyisd.org (preferred method of communication) • Phone: 281-234-2191 (voicemail during school hours) • Conference Time: 9:15-10:00 a.m • The teacher website will be updated weekly. Check the calendar, documents, and useful links folders.

3. My Goals 2012-2013 • To encourage, support and motivate to become real readers through critical thinking, analyzing, implementing technology, and interactive experiences. • To be a positive influence in your child’s life both academically, emotionally and socially. • To assist your child toacquire the academic skills needed to progress to 8th grade. • To teach the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to be successful. • To provide a safe and supportive environment where fun and engaging learning experiences are shared.

4. Supplies Needed for Class • Spiral/Journal • Reader’s Notebook • Planner • Pens/Pencils • Markers/Colored Pencils/Highlighters • Gluestick • Independent Reading Novel

5. What resources are available? • Our textbook is called Literature. We have a class set of textbooks on the shelves at the back of the classroom. • Dictionaries are located on the shelf at the back of the classroom.

6. Can my child use electronic devices? • Your child may bring an electronic device to class every day. • The electronic device must be put away unless I give permission for it to be used during instructional time.

7. What will a typicalclass day look like? Sample Structure of a Workshop Class: • Mini-Lesson (5-15 minutes) will vary • Independent reading time • Conferencing – teacher will be meeting with individual students as well as small groups during independent work time • Share – brief whole class share • Students will visit the SLJH library once every two weeks to check out books (Feel free to bring own book)

8. Reader’s Workshop SLJH will be using a workshop approach to teaching reading. Each student needs a Reader’s Notebook. Parents should be able to see the notebooks and what students are working on. The reading teachers will expect a minimum of 30 minutes read per night as well as sticky note reflections. Parents, this would be a good time to discuss and interact with your child about what’s in their Reader’s notebook. Everyone loves to talk about a great book! The workshop approach allows time for students to choose what they are reading, writing, thinking, and talking deeply about. Students gain a sense of ownership in their learning when they are held responsible for their choices about what to read and write. The teacher acts as a facilitator and a reading or writing ‘expert’ to guide students through mini-lessons and conferencing. A significant amount of time is spent on reading and writing independently so that students may apply the skills to their own choice work.

9. Assessments Grades will be taken in a variety of ways… • Conferences (in class during independent reading) • Reader’s notebook entries (bi-weekly) • Common Assessments (2x/six weeks) • Reading logs (2x/six weeks) • Rubrics for progress as a reader

10. Grading Policy for PreAP/GT ONLY: According to the KISD Grading Policy Handbook: Major:Tests 50% Minor:Quizzes and Classwork 35% Other:Homework & Group Assignments 15% **Please refer to the SLJH policy on Retesting. You can find the information on the Science Teacher Website. I encourage you to check your child’s grades online frequently

11. Grading Policy for ACADEMIC ONLY: According to the KISD Grading Policy Handbook: Major:Tests 45% Minor:Quizzes and Classwork40% Other:Homework & Group Assignments 15% **Please refer to the SLJH policy on Retesting. You can find the information on the Science Teacher Website. • I encourage you to check your child’s grades online frequently

12. What is the grading policy? • Major 45% - at least 2 major grades ( Common Assessments) • Minor 40% - at least 4 minor grades (individual/group class work) • Other 15% - at least 6 other grades (homework) • Late Work summary • No late “other” assignments accepted, but lowest grade dropped • Minor/Major assignments 20 point penalty per day late • Retest/Redo summary • No missing assignments • Must attend tutoring session • One chance • Maximum grade 70

13. Absences • A student receives 2 days for every day that he/she is absent to complete and turn in make up work. • It is the responsibility of the student to collect and complete any work that he/she missed and ask the teacher for clarification. • If further assistance is needed…tutorials are available during Advisory. Students MUST have permission from BOTH teachers to attend.

14. Communication • Parent communication is always welcomed and appreciated! Please allow 24 hours for teachers to respond to emails and voicemails. gabriellekhudspeth@katyisd.org (preferred method of communication) 281-234-2191 (classroom phone – will go straight to voice mail during the school day) • Please make sure you are registered with Home Access Center (HAC). • Please be sure that we have a current phone number and email address in the system. • Grades are updated weekly and we encourage you to monitor your child’s grades.

15. How do I know how my child is doing? • Monitor grades using the Home Access Center. • M = assignment wasn’t turned in on time and I’m still waiting on it • Blank = assignment hasn’t been graded yet • 0= assignment was not turned in and will not be accepted late • Progress Reports are just a snapshot • Ask your child • Contact me • Gabriellekhudspeth@katyisd.org (preferred) • 281-234-2191

16. How To Access Teacher Web • www.katyisd.org • Choose Jr. High campuses • Scroll down to Seven Lakes Junior High • Click on Seven Lakes Junior High • Click on Teacher Webs on upper left hand side of the screen • Click 7th grade Gabrielle Hudspeth • Documents folder will contain notes, homework, power point presentations, test reviews. (No answer keys will be provided). • Calendar will have the homework due dates, test dates and quiz dates (when announced). • Note that dates are subject to change.

17. Edmodohttp://katy.edmodo.com • Edmodois a secure and free social learning network site for teachers, students and schools to communicate. • Teachers can load documents, post videos, and communicate with each class. • Students can view documents, edit and submit documents for a grade, submit assignments, view videos and communicate with each class. • Parents - please do not join Edmodo using your child’s code, as you will then show up on the class list. Thanks  • Students will be given a specific Edmodo code to join each of their classes. • A free app for Edmodo is also available for smartphones.

18. Thank you for coming! Please hand me the index card with your name, e-mail address, and phone number. If you have a specific question or comment please send me an e-mail so we can talk privately. When the tone/bell sounds, you will move to the next scheduled class. Lunch & Advisory will NOT be visited tonight.