Welcome to Open House

1. Welcome to Open House Susan May, M.Ed. • smay@conroeisd.net 8th Grade Language Arts & Communication Applications 1

2. Year-Long Language Arts Curriculum • Literature • Class Novels & Short Stories • S.U.R.F. Book (Sustained, Uninterrupted, Reading for Fun) • Grammar Usage & Mechanics • Reader/Writer Workshop • Vocabulary (quiz or test every 2 weeks) • Sadlier Oxford SAT Vocabulary • Latin/Greek roots/prefixes/suffixes 2

3. Student Success Initiative • Goal of SSI: Ensure that all students receive the instruction and support they need to be academically successful in reading and mathematics • What does this mean? • 8th grade students must pass the Reading STAAR test, among other requirements, to advance to the 9th grade! 3

4. Need Help? • Tutoring with me: • Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, 8:05 to 8:35 a.m. • I will be on duty every Thursday morning and afternoon. • Students should come prepared with questions to ask and/or work to complete during tutoring.   • PAWS Tutoring: • Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons - 4:00-4:45 in the library • This tutoring is with The Woodlands High School Interact students. You must arrange for a ride home after tutoring as there is no bus service. • SPARKS Tutoring: • Everyday during Advisory in B202 • This is peer to peer tutoring.  Students must ask me for a pass. • They are especially great at helping students get organized! 4

5. Students Must Purchase • Sadlier Oxford SAT Vocabulary Workshop, Level C • Class Novels: • The Outsiders • The Devil’s Arithmetic • The Giver • Binder with 5 dividers • Typical Supplies (paper, pens, highlighters) 5

6. S.U.R.F. Book • When the students are not actively reading a class novel, the must bring a S.U.R.F. book to class each day. • S.U.R.F. = • Sustained, Uninterrupted, Reading for Fun • At least one 300 page book each 9 weeks. • They will complete a major grade project for one S.U.R.F. book each 9 weeks. 6

7. Emails & Reminders from Me • I will periodically send out bulk emails to parents. Please keep your contact information up to date with the front office. • I also send reminders to students and parents who have signed up for the Remind text and email service, (formerly called, Remind 101.) • Grab a flyer or go to my website for instructions to sign up. 7

8. Contact Information • E-mail (checked before/after school and during Advisory) • Phone (messages left with receptionist are relayed by e-mail) • Conference time • before school • R4:2:30-3:30 p.m • G3: 12:45-1:45 p.m. • Counseling Center schedules all parent conferences 8

9. Homework for Parents • Complete a green “Language Arts Information Sheet,” providing me with: • Preferred contact information • Something wonderful about your child • Anything you would like me to know that will help me work with your child this year. 9

10. Homework for Parents • Sign the “Language Arts Information Sheet,” indicating that you agree to abide by: • The Student Handbook • The McCullough Cheating Policy • The Language Arts Dept. Standard Policies & Procedures • These are all available on my website. • You may return it with your child if you have not had a chance to look at them. 10

11. Thank you for coming to Open House! 11