Welcome to 8B English Mrs. Heldt

1. Welcome to 8B EnglishMrs. Heldt

2. Back to School Night 2012 • Welcome! • Teaching Philosophy • Goals for the Classroom • So Far This Year… • Theme / Curriculum • Classroom Policies • Parent Communication

3. Teaching Philosophy • Teach ‘how to think’, not ‘what to think’ • Provide an in-depth, challenging, curriculum: differentiation for all abilities within the 8th grade curriculum • Set high expectations for quality of work • Provide opportunities to work in group settings

4. Philosophy (cont.) • Integration allows for making connections between subjects = ‘Big Picture’ • Engage in open-ended tasks which promote new ideas and open-ended thinking • Consistently analyze, synthesize, elaborate, create, and think critically (aloud and on paper!) • Prepare for the rigorous 9th grade curriculum

5. Goals for the English Classroom… Student work will reflect: • Original insights and interpretations • Development (using concrete details, text references, illustrations, support) • Sensitivity and precision of thought • Thorough preparation, revision and editing • Creative word usage, ideas, and imagination • Clear understanding of the purpose and limits of a given assignment

6. So Far this Year… 8th grade students get to know themselves and each other through: • Writing • Letter to Me • Journal responses to “the Three Questions” and “The Bear That Wasn’t” • Discussing theme and characterization in Schooled • Creating identity charts • “The Bear That Wasn’t” by Frank Tashlin • Addressing the concept of identity & social justice in readings / Socratic discussion • “The Three Questions” (Tolstoy as interpreted by Jon J. Muth) • “The Bear That Wasn’t” (Frank Tashlin) • “Little Boxes” (Anthony Wright) • “The Cutting of My Long Hair” (Zitkala-Ša), • “Cheyanne Again” (Eve Bunting) • Enduring Wisdom (Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve) • Developing working definitions of the terms define, stereotype, ethnic group,prejudice, and discrimination • Introduction to Daily Grammar Practice (DGP) • Team building activities

7. 8th Grade Theme / Curriculum Themes: “Identity” & “Social Justice” (Cross-curricular content connected to History) Novels • Gathering Blue • Call of the Wild • The Cay • The Diary of Anne Frank Short Stories • Flowers for Algernon • Various selections from Prentice Hall Literature Series Non-fiction Articles / Essays

8. Curriculum Activities • Discuss reading strategies • Participate in Socratic discussions • Evaluate literature through writing/discussion • Develop high-level questions • Respond to fiction and non-fiction reading prompts • Write for a variety of purposes (academic and creative essays) • Debate

9. Gradual Release of Responsibility Model Student’s Learning Responsibility Modeled Shared Guided Independent Response Immersion Demonstration Response Use Expectations I do, you watch. I do, you help. You do, I help. You do, I watch! Teacher’s Teaching Responsibility

10. Communication • Online Grading enables you to monitor their weekly classroom progress • Web Page • E-Mail • sheldt@cusd220.org • Voice Mail Message

11. How To Help Your ChildSTUDY HABITS / ORGANIZATION • If needed, check backpack after school and in the AM – “See it to believe it” • Encourage use of planner, binder, folder • Develop homework routine • Stress value of homework • Encourage problem solving • “I have too many activities.” • “I’ll see if I can get it done.” • Long term assignment planning

12. It will be a great year!

14. Welcome to Advisory!

15. ADVISORY PERIOD • A TIME… • To study • To communicate • To develop friendships • To develop social skills • To consider the future • A PLACE… • To receive help • To visit with friends • To work and play with others • To talk with an adult • To read for pleasure • PEOPLE • care about you • work as a team • help others • understand • and accept