APRENDE 8 th Grade Language Arts 2019-2020

1. APRENDE8th GradeLanguage Arts2019-2020 Mrs. Strength Room 315

2. Who am I?

3. My Education • Graduated from Geneva College (Beaver Falls, PA) with a B.A. in Writing. • Received M.Ed in secondary education from GCU • Certified for English Secondary Education (grades 6-12) and Social Studies (6-12)

4. Teaching Experience This is my 2nd year at Aprende Middle School. Previously, I have taught: • ESL (K-6) in Gwangju, South Korea (2010-2011) • 8th and 10th grade ELA at Marion Center Jr./Sr. High School (2014-2018)

6. Supply List • Notebook • Highlighters: blue, pink, yellow, green (no color substitutions) • 1 pad of Post It notes • Any color grading pen (except black) • Pencils and erasers (if mechanical, please purchase extra lead; if traditional, please purchase hand held pencil sharpener) • Loose leaf paper (can donate to classroom supply instead of carrying around) • 1” flexible poly binder (for myPerspectives units) • Pocket folder (buy a back-up to keep at home?)

7. Suggested Donations • Post It Notes • Paper (lined or printer paper—white or color) • Pencils. Lots and lots of pencils! • Coloring supplies • Highlighters • Index Cards • Dry erase markers/erasers

8. Reading • Four thematic myPerspectives units that include various reading selections such as short stories, informational text, poetry, novels, and more: Rites of Passage, Holocaust, What Matters, and Human Intelligence. • Accompanying novels for each unit (tentative): The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & James D. Houston , and A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass.

9. Independent Reading • Students will be required to read books from the Grand Canyon Award nominees list as independent reading. I will NOT be giving the kids time in the class to read these books. In the last few weeks of each quarter, they will complete an independent reading project.

10. Writing • Narrative, argumentative, and expository pieces. • Strong focus on refining all the essay skills students have learned in middle school thus far: incorporating and explaining textual information, analyzing arguments and crafting counter-arguments, organizing information, proper MLA format, etc.

11. Language • Vocabulary: Determine the meaning of an unknown word using context clues and Greek and Latin roots. • Grammar: Dissecting sentences in writing in order to analyze verbals, verb mood, as well as active and passive voice.

12. Speaking and Listening • One-on-one, group, and teacher-led discussions in the form of Philosophical Chairs, Socratic Seminars, and other AVID strategies • Presentations of work, including visual displays and/or multimedia components • Interpretation of speeches and multimedia presentations

13. What does that grade title mean? • Socratic Seminar (Usually Fridays) • Workbook pages • Essays • Type 1, Type 2 writing assignments • Presentation • Worksheets • Library days

14. General classroom procedures • Students will complete a timed anticipatory activity at the beginning of class. (Usually a grammar warm-up on Google or type 1 or 2 writing) • Classwork for the day (notes, activity, reading, etc.) • Exit slip • Fridays: Socratic Seminar and notebook check • Tutoring

15. Why read 20 minutes at home every day?

16. Why read 20 minutes at home every day? Assuming these students started reading each day in kindergarten, by the end of 6th grade: • Student A will have read for the equivalent of 60 school days, • Student B will have read for 12 school days, and • Student C will have read for 3. Want to be a better reader? It’s easy: just read.

17. Potential Expenses for 8th Grade Yearbook The cost of a standard yearbook is about $30 – the price goes up towards the end of the year. Baby Ad is available for $25. This would allow you to submit a baby or childhood picture of your child and a personalized message to be included in the yearbook. The deadline to order a Baby Ad is early January – more info will come out when school begins. (Baby Ads are only available to 8th grade students.) 8th Grade Promotion Dance The fee for this dance ranges from $5 to $10. Big Surf This 8th grade field trip will be the last week of school. The fee is $20 and includes lunch. Disneyland for choir and band students The trip is in early February Ms. Figueroa and Mrs. Werner will provide information about the requirements for the trip and the fees.

18. Potential Expenses for 8th Grade cont. Mini Town This is a leadership training camp held in Prescott in February. All students are welcome to apply to this incredible opportunity. Applications available in November The fee is $185 and are due in January. Living History Trip Mr. Furman will be providing information about trip. The trip will take place second quarter The fee will be $297 and will be due two weeks prior to the trip. Sports Fall sports: cross country, boys soccer, and volleyball Winter sports: girls soccer, wrestling, boys basketball, girls softball, and spiritline. Spring sports: boys baseball, girls basketball, track & field. Fees range from $100 to $150 depending on the sport and are due when your student makes the team.

19. Meet and Greet Breakfast • The Aprende Parent-Teacher organization will be sponsoring a meet-and-greet breakfast for all 8th grade parents on: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21 @ 7:45 AM • Please join us for a continental breakfast and a chance to socialize with other 8th grade parents!

20. Questions? • Please email me at lstrength@kyrene.orgwith any questions you may have that we didn’t get a chance to answer tonight! Please include: • Your name AND your student’s name • Your question(s)