Miss Fisher’s FPLA Class

1. Miss Fisher’s FPLA Class I am looking forward to a great year with your children!

2. Contact Information • The best way to contact me is by email • Address is Elizabeth.Fisher@cusd200.org • Can email directly from ParentVue • You can also contact me by phone • (630)682-2060 Before school is the best time to reach me

3. My Philosophy of Education • All children can learn • Learning should be fun • Children learn from each other • Teaching must include variety, flexibility, and individualization

4. Background • I went to Hawthorne, Franklin, Wheaton North • Degrees • Undergraduate B.A. in Speech Communications from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • Masters in Education from DePaul University • Masters in Administration and Leadership from National Louis University

5. Other Information • This is my 19th year teaching at Franklin • 8th Grade Team Leader/member of Franklin Instructional Team • Direct Variety Show • Coach 8th Grade Girls Track • Supervise Cafeteria

6. Curriculum • Common Core was adopted • Use many of the same pieces of literature • Order it is taught may be different in the past • Common vocabulary with high school • All 8th grade LA teachers planning together • Areas: Writing, Reading Literature, Reading Informational Texts, Speaking and Listening, and Language

7. Curriculum – my role • Member of committee to create curriculum • Created local assessments for FPLA reading • Gave input on local assessments for regular 8th grade local reading assessment • English-Language Arts Department Leader

8. Literature • Mystery – And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie • Historical Fiction – Various novels set during times they will be studying in the history class, including the following: Great Depression (Steinbeck, Out of the Dust, Truth About Sparrows, and No Promises in the Wind), Civil Rights Movement (Warriors Don’t Cry), and World War II (Hiroshima, Friedrich, Torn Thread). • Classic - Animal Farm by George Orwell, Call of the Wild by Jack London, Steinbeck • Drama – The Merchant of Venice, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Arsenic and Old Lace • Non-Fiction – Hiroshima, Warriors Don’t Cry • Poetry – Various poets • Various short stories and supplemental articles

9. Writing • Informative • Argument • Research • Use specific examples for support • Narrative/Creative • Poetry • Journal – Reflections on reading • Free Write – Brainstorming ideas • Revise formal writing for extra credit

10. Speaking and Listening • Presentations – group and individual • Speeches • Sharing writing pieces • Discussion (small and large)

11. Vocabulary • Wordly Wise • Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, suffixes • Words from novels

12. Social-Emotional Learning • Develop self-awareness and self-management skills to achieve school and life success • Use social awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships • Demonstrate decision-making skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts

13. Goals • Setting goals and achieving them • Goal (achievable, challenging, measurable) • Plan (specific steps) • Action (enact plan) • Reflection (evaluate effectiveness of plan and adjust accordingly)

14. My Goals • Create a safe and supportive atmosphere that promotes creativity and risk taking • Instill a love of reading and writing • Prepare all students for high school English • Teach students to effectively communicate • Have fun

15. Explore Testing and High School • Test administered September 18 • Test scores, grades, and teacher input used for high school placement • Counselors visit LA classes in January/February for registration • Ultimate decisions are yours

16. Thank you for attending! • PTA information • Read the letter from your child