Welcome to Back to School Night!

1. Welcome to Back to School Night! Mrs. Greenwald Language Arts/Social Studies

2. Supply List • All textbooks should be covered correctly! • 3 inch binder with dividers or folders for each subject area • 3 one subject spiral notebooks • Two sets spiral index cards, or an additional spiral notebook • Two 2-pocket folders • Pencils/colored pencils • Binder paper (needed all year) • Blue or black pen • Scissors • Highlighter • Mini stapler • Rectangular Eraser • Glue sticks • Dry erase (white board) marker

3. Transition to Common Core Standards Three shifts to Common Core Include: • Building knowledge through content-rich nonfiction • Reading and writing grounded in evidence • Regular practice with complex text and academic language

4. Social Studies

5. Ancient Civilizations • Early Humans • Mesopotamia • Ancient Egypt • Ancient China • Ancient India • Ancient Hebrews • Ancient Greece • Ancient Rome

6. Learning objectives aligned to Common Core Standards • Most units have projects • Projects are completed in class (will finish for homework, if not completed in class) • Overall project guidelines (found on website) • Notes, power points, and articles found on website • Small quizzes throughout unit • Large test at end of unit

7. Language Arts

8. Reading/Writing/Grammar • Reading-literature textbook, novels, Scope Magazine • Vocabulary/Literary Terms • Grammar/conventions • Writing • 1st trimester-narrative essay • 2nd trimester-informative/explanatory essay • 3rd trimester-argumentative essay • Response to literature paragraphs-throughout the year

9. Reading Logs • Students will be assigned to read an AR book for a minimum of 30 minutes per night for homework. • Students must track their reading progress on their reading log (kept in binder). • Parent must sign reading log in order for child to take an AR test.Please, check in with your child on a nightly basis.

10. Accelerated Reader (AR) At the beginning of each trimester, your child will take the STAR assessment test. Based on their scores, your students will be given their zone of proximal development (ZPD). Point goals are given based on the ZPD. Students read AR books within their zone. Once completed, they will take the computerized tests. These tests can be taken in my classroom, before school in the library, or during lunch in the computer lab. If a book is worth 10 points and they score 90%, they receive 90% of the possible points (9 points). Students are given a halfway point goal, in addition to an end of the trimester point goal. Students strive to meet the point goal for each trimester, which is part of their reading comprehension score. Students who are not on track to obtain point goal will be put on a mandatory WEEKLY Reading Log. Renaissance Home Connect Letter-will be sent home with your child’s username and password. You can sign up to receive e-mails showing your child’s quiz or test results. Link is also located on my website.

11. Assessments • Diagnostic: pre-assessments • Formative: 10% of standard percentage • AR: 10% of standard percentage • LA Summative: 80% of standard percentage • SS Summative: 90% of standard percentage • Assessments/projects are aligned to learning objectives, which are aligned to Common Core Standards

12. Gradebook You can view your child’s grades online. The link for the online gradebook is on my teacher website (links). Username: Student ID (6 digits) Password: Student’s Birthday (March 5, 1997 would be 3/5/1997). You must include forward slashes. You can also sign up to receive emails showing your child’s grades!

13. Gradebook Key • Blank Space-grade not yet entered • Z-assignment was not completed and turned in on time; counts as a zero • 0-received 0% on an assignment • X-excused; does not count against grade

14. Homework • AR/silent reading (check in with your child nightly and sign his/her reading log) - 10% of Language Arts Grade • Extensions of class work • Homework will be posted: -Homework Board (in classroom) -Homework Hotline 771-1745 ext. 167 -Classroom Website http://teacherweb.com/CA/CooleyMiddleSchool/Greenwald

15. Assignment Policy • Assignments must be turned in the day they are due at the beginning of the period. No late formative assignments will be accepted. • Late summative assignments will drop one letter grade for each day it is late. • If your child is absent, he/she must make up the assignments that were missed. Students are responsible for checking the homework hotline, website, or classroom absent binder to find out what they missed.

16. Discipline Policy • Focus on Positive Behavior! • Steps: 1. Warning 2. Action Plan *Must be signed by a parent and returned the following day, or assigned detention 3. Alternate Classroom/Office Severe Behavior: Sent immediately to the office. • Steps are cumulative for the day • Frequent/Excessive Steps-Parent Meeting

17. Contacts/Communication E-mail: Wgreenwald@rcsdk8.org Please…..make sure I have your email address! Website: http://teacherweb.com/CA/CooleyMiddleSchool/ Greenwald Homework Hotline: 771-1745 ext. 167 Weekly work, tests, notices, and flyers-sent home on Wednesdays (student files) Be sure to view your child’s grades online

18. Questions?????