Welcome to 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th Grade Literature

1. Welcome to 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Literature

2. About me • Married 17 years • Mom to 4 children • BA from Villanova University • MA in Education from Monmouth University • NJ Certified Grades K-8

3. Course overview 6th Grade: transitions students from “reading to learn,” an approach mostly focused on comprehension, to “learning to learn,” an approach focused on finding, interpreting, using, and applying meaning from literature and high quality non-fiction texts. Students in Sixth Grade build on their progress in grades 3-5 in making meaning and seeing beauty to begin to link ideas, thoughts, and perspectives together through what they read. In Writing, 6th grade begins to express their experiences through creativity and informational writing. Students also begin to use the writing process through which they organize and communicate their own insights.

4. CourseOverview 7th Grade • The Seventh Grade Curriculum builds on the Sixth Grade Curriculum and challenges students to think critically in ways about literature and non-fiction text. • Analysis, evaluation, and critical comparison of texts are given deeper examination. • Learn how literature can form the foundation of lifelong learning and help shape students into young adults • Students will produce, analyze, and evaluate their own writing using the writing process more intentionally as a learning tool through which they organize and communicate their own insights.

5. CourseOverview 8th Grade • The Eighth Grade Curriculum is the final step in students’ development in comprehending, appreciating, and using literature and non-fiction texts before high school. • The Reading units incorporate more complex skills through themes that engage students in deeper learning about human interactions with the world. • This approach prepares students for high school while helping them continue their path towards learning about themselves, their faith, and their world through what and how they read. • To this end, students should experience a range of reading selections throughout the year, including modern and classic fiction, historical fiction, (auto)biography, speeches, novels, drama/plays and short stories. • Eighth Grade Writing focuses on articulating feelings, emotions, thoughts, and ideas in a cohesive and organized fashion. This curriculum is designed to encourage students to be active participants in their world through speaking, listening, and writing.

6. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FIRE DRILL – FOLLOW THE FIRE EVACUATION ROUTE, OUTSIDE TO THE BACK PARKING LOT LOCK DOWN – SIT QUIIETLY in back corner on floor with lights out, and door covered **usually means danger INSIDE the building SHELTER IN PLACE – lock doors and teach as normal **usually means danger is OUTSIDE, in the surrounding area

7. CLASSROOM RULES SAFETY PREPARED AND PARTICIPATION OPEN MIND RESPECT TEAMWORK AND TRY YOUR BEST SPORTSMANSHIP FOLLOW DIRECTIONS ACCOUNTABILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS AND ATTITUDE NO EXCUES

8. Consequences (Behavior) : • 1st offense – verbal warning • 2nd time – second warning • 3rd time – phone call • 4th principal

9. Why is LITERATURE IMPORTANT? • ENTERTAINMENT (when you read something you enjoy) • Stories help us to understand different events and situations that we may or may not have experienced in our own lives • Opens our eyes to the world around us – we begin to explore, learn, and ask questions • We learn about humanity – successes, failures, compassion, empathy, survival, trust, imperfection, struggles, life lessons and experiences • Helps us appreciate and understand other cultures • Develops higher level thinking skills – analysis, empathy, compare/contrast, critique, etc. • Teaches us about history – STEP BACK IN TIME so we can learn about historical events; sometimes, we may not want history to repeat itself • Expands our writing skills - stories are written to create imagination

10. COURSE OVERVIEW Units of Study SKILLS

11. GRADING SYSTEM A+ 97-100 A 93-96 B+ 89-92 B 85-88 C+ 81-84 C 77-83 D+ 74-76 D 70-73 TESTS AND PROJECTS . . . . . 30% QUIZZES AND NOTEBOOK CHECKS . . . . . 20% HOMEWORK . . . . . 20% CLASSWORK AND PARTICIPATION . . . . . 15% QUALITY POINTS (BEING PREPARED AND BEHAVIOR) . . . . . 15%

12. POLICIES • BATHROOM – You MAY go during independent or small group time; If it’s an emergency, then GO!!! SIGN OUT with name and time in log book and LET TEACHER KNOW; • TRY NOT to go when teacher is teaching or during TEST/QUIZ • ABSENT – if you are absent, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for finding out what you missed; check the “MAKE UP WORK BIN” for your particular class for any handouts; you will have the same number or days that you missed to make up the work • FOR EXAMPLE, if you are absent for 2 days, then you have 2 days to make up the work, etc. • IF you are absent on a quiz day, you are expected to make it up the day you return. If you are absent on a TEST day, you will have ONE WEEK to make it up. • **If you need extra time, then see me • SNOW DAYS/UNEXPECTED CLOSINGS – if a test or quiz falls on a snow day or unexpected closing, WE WILL HAVE THE TEST/QUIZ the day we return

13. POLICIES (cont.) • LATE ASSIGNMENTS – I WILL ACCEPT LATE ASSIGNENTS up to 10 SCHOOL DAYS LATE BUT 10 POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED EACH DAY THE ASSIGNMENT IS LATE; AFTER THE 10TH DAY, YOU WILL TAKE A ZERO AND THE ASSIGNMENT CANNOT BE MADE UP • *** I believe in 2nd chances and understand that things may come up unexpectedly, BUT GET THE ASSIGNMENT IN . . . . . BETTER LATE THAN NEVER • **** Parents will be notified on the 3rd late or missing assignment; the 4th LATE or MISSING assignment will be a detention and the principal will be notified • EXTRA CREDIT: there will be opportunities for enrichment and extra credit • Availability will vary – it may be available at workshops or by request • ALL EXTRA CREDIT IS DUE NO LATER THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE MARKING PERIOD ENDS

14. TYPICAL DAY 1. 10 minutes When you walk in - you will sharpen your pencil if needed, get your materials out, and begin your DO NOW; teacher will be taking attendance and checking homework 20 minutes – teacher lesson . . . You are expected to take notes (THIS WILL NOT BE EVERY DAY); then, 10/15 minutes student practice with the concepts OR 15 minute WORKSHOPS – there will be 4 “WORKSHOPS” set up around the room; you will work in small groups and rotate through 2 Workshops on TUESDAY and the other 2 on WEDNESDAY 1. WORD WORK – vocabulary station 2. BOOK CLUB – guided reading comprehension questions/discussions 3. TEACHER CONFERENCES – meet with teacher to discuss novel; opportunity to ask questions, get clarifications, and read together; mini lessons if needed 4. WRITING – when we are working on a writing piece, this station will allot time for prewriting, drafting, revising, editing (peer editing), and publication

15. Weekly Routine (during novels/stories) MONDAY – Teacher Lesson with concepts for the week; ALL WORK FOR THE WEEK WILL BE PROVIDED (TIME MANAGEMENT and ORGANIZATION) TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY – WORKSHOP DAYS (2 each day) (Word Work, Book Club Small Groups, Teacher Conferences, and Writing) THURSDAY – Spelling Test (sometimes) & REVIEW DAY; ALL WORSHOP CLASS WORK IS DUE ON THURSDAY; We will go over vocabulary and discuss questions in preparation for the quiz; use this as a study guide for your quiz FRIDAY – QUIZ on vocabulary and comprehension questions discussed in class - ALL WORK MUST BE HANDED IN EVERY FRIDAY - NO WRTTEN HOMEWORK OVER THE WEEKEND; JUST READ

16. Other Miscellaneous Items • Water bottles – are allowed, but need to be kept in backpacks or on back shelf • Backpacks – take out what you need and place in back on the floor or hang; trying to avoid tripping hazard

17. GETTING ORGANIZED • NOTEBOOK SECTIONS • 2 composition books and a folder • OR • Soft flexible one inch binder with dividers & folder • SECTIONS • Notes/Classwork (Do Now & comprehension questions) • Vocabulary • GRADES • Homework (optional)