Reading with Mrs. Siebener

1. Reading with Mrs. Siebener Welcome to a new school year!

2. All About Me Graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Minor in Reading. Graduated Walden University with a Masters in Education and a Specialization in Elementary Reading and Literacy. Teaching at Mechanicsburg Middle School since February, 2003.� Reading Teacher Theater/Musical Director Two children:� Katelyn�(20) and Kasey (16) Two dogs (Madeline and Stewart) and two cats (Lucy and Jade) Love to read, go for long walks, write poetry, and listen (and sing) to music Yankee fan (Go Yanks!) Pretty sure I'm the #1 U2 fan (P.S. U2 is a band that many of us old people listen to). Favorite books:� My Bible, The Shack, Water for Elephants, Just Like Jesus (too many to list). Goal: To help my students really begin to love reading! My favorite heroes are Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa�and Bono

3. My Family My children daughter, Katelyn son, Kasey Our pets dog, Madeline dog, Stewart cat, Jade cat, Lucy

4. My Goals as Your Teacher To help you find the joy in reading. To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment. To help you make new friends and discover new interests.

5. Supplies for Reading Class You must always have a book to read (a novel at a 6th grade level or above). For the first month of school, you will read a class novel (chosen by me). After we have discussed the guidelines for choosing a book, you will choose. Loose 3 hole-punched notebook paper; A 3 hole-punched folder to place in your binder; Several highlighters; Plenty of pencils and erasers; Lots of sticky notes; 2 packs of index cards; A tri-fold presentation board (you will not need this until February or March);

6. Units of Study for this Year Unit #1: Comprehension and Reading Skills Purposes of Reading Identifying and Describing Genres of Text Before, During and After Reading Strategies Author�s Purpose Identifying and Applying Word Recognition Skills Identifying and Applying Meaning of Vocabulary Main Idea and Supporting Details Summarizing Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions Unit #2: Interpreting, Analyzing and Responding to Text Identifying, Analyzing and Responding to literary elements found within and between texts Analyzing and Connecting to Various Genres of Text Literary Devices Point of View Differentiate Fact from Opinion Distinguish Between Essential and Non-Essential Information Unit #3: Text Organization / Structure Following Directions Readers Aids Evaluate Text Organization / Structure Problem / Solution Sequence Compare / Contrast Cause / Effect Question / Answer

7. H2O for LifeWhat is H2O for Life? H2O for Life is an organization which helps Schools in the United States partner with schools in developing nations in need of water, sanitation and hygiene education. Through service learning projects, U.S. students learn of the global water crisis while raising funds to bring water and latrines to their partner schools. Students learn that they can make a difference in the lives of others by becoming energized global citizens and activists for change. ~ Patty Hall, CEO H2O for Life While we are working on some of our units of study, we will focus on water crisis in countries in Africa. You will . . . Research a country in Africa of your choice; Create a poem about your country Create a Power-point presentation focusing on the four fundamental themes of geography for your country; Create a Non-fiction Information Board (Readers� Aids) about your country; Present your country at our H2O for Life Fair. Mrs. Siebener will also be directing a musical this year and all proceeds will go to H2O for Life.

8. Classroom Expectations and Rules I expect you to . . . Give your absolute best (100% effort) Be respectful to me, your classmates and yourself Maintain appropriate classroom behavior Be positive Be prepared CLASSROOM RULES 1.� DO YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST 2.� DO THE RIGHT THING 3.� TREAT OTHERS WITH KINDNESS AND RESPECT � CONSEQUENCES 1.� TWO WARNINGS 2.� PARENTS NOTIFIED 3.� CONSEQUENCES (LUNCH DETENTION OR AFTER SCHOOL) �

9. Show Courage & Respect Follow your own conscience instead of �following the crowd.� Refuse to take part in hurtful or disrespectful behaviors. Take complete responsibility for your actions and your mistakes. Follow the rules and expect others to do the same. Do what you know is right regardless of the risks and potential consequences.

10. Responsibility for Classwork & Homework Bring binder, personal read, agenda, and appropriate writing tools to class EVERY DAY. Know due dates, and submit all work on time. All assignments are posted on the board, in your agenda, and on my web site.

11. Classroom Policies and Procedures Please be in your seat when the bell rings, as class begins at that time. Follow daily procedures written on board. DO NOT WAIT for me to tell you what to do. Use proper signals: One finger means �May I get out of my seat?� Two fingers mean �May I use the rest room?� Raised hand means you have a question �Give Me Five� When I hold up my and say, �Give me five,� that is a signal for you to do the following: Hold up your hand quietly (others will follow) Hands free (be still) Be quiet Eyes on Teacher Listen Bathroom Procedures Please do not ask to use the restroom during instruction unless it is an extreme emergency or unless you have a medical condition. You may ask to go during �down time.� Please use the restroom before school or at lunch. Our time together is essential for your learning. You will go directly to the restroom. Restroom time is not social time. Do not attempt to meet your friends in the bathroom. Please wash your hands before you return to class. Your time in the restroom should not take longer than 3 minutes. If you abuse bathroom privileges, you will no longer use it during my class.

12. More classroom policies and procedures ? Do NOT look at the clock while I am instructing. It is rude. Focus on the lesson. I try to keep lessons fun, so there is no need to yawn. However, if you absolutely must yawn, please cover your mouth. You will sit up straight and keep your head off of your desk. Please keep your feet off of your seat. Sit appropriately at your desk. Listen to directions the first time they are given. I will NOT repeat directions. You will �Ask three before me.� This means ask three classmates during down time before you come to me. However, if you still don�t understand and you need me to clarify, I will gladly do that during period 9 any cycle day. Use appropriate language, ask appropriate questions and do not shout out. I will notify you when class is coming to a close. DO NOT begin to �wrap up� until I have asked you to do so. I dismiss you, NOT the bell. You will wait for me to dismiss you. If you leave your seat before I dismiss you, you will return to class and leave last.

13. Homework Policy If you have sectionals, you must see me for homework during homeroom, period 9 or the end of the day. You are still responsible for any work assigned that day. If you are sick or other problems arise, you are still responsible for getting your missed assignments in to me.� You will have two (2) days after you have returned to hand in missed assignments.� (For example:� If you are absent on a Monday, and you return on a Tuesday, you will have until Thursday to get the assignment in). There are several ways to get your assignments: 1. My web page; 2. You or your parent and/or guardian may email me at csiebener@mbgsd.org�and I will be happy to respond with your assignment; 3. Your reading class study buddy or someone from your study family; 4. Get your assignments from the �While You Were Out� folder 5. If you are out 3 or more days, please have your parent and/or guardian call the school counseling office and all teachers will gather work and bring it to the office to be picked up Please do not interrupt class to ask about homework assignments. Check the �While You Were Out� folder; Once you have completed your missed assignments, please place assignment(s) in LATE HOMEWORK bin. I do not offer extra credit. You will lose one letter grade for each day an assignment is late and your parents will need to sign a �Late Homework Notification� form. I will not accept assignments if they are more than 3 days late. If late homework or missed assignments become a habit, you will be required to come to Lunch Academy to complete work. If late homework or missed assignments continue to be a problem, you will notify your parents with a phone call and receive after school detention. Homework should be neat, complete and on time. Work that does not show effort, is sloppy or incomplete, will be returned to you to re-do.

15. Grading Grades are based on the accumulation of points. Points are based on: Class participation (effort) Completion of assignments Major projects, classwork, class participation, exams, weekly journal entries and responding to reading.

16. What you can expect of me . . . I will trust you until you give me reason to do otherwise; Give my absolute best (100% effort) in preparing the best lessons possible to help you learn; Be respectful to you, your classmates and myself; Maintain a safe classroom environment; Be enthusiastic about teaching; Be concerned�about your success.

17. CONTRACT Between Student, Parent and Mrs. Siebener I ____________________ (student�s name) have read the attached policies and procedures for Mrs. Siebener�s classroom with my parent(s). We agree to work together with Mrs. Siebener so that I will have a successful year in reading. I have discussed my plan for success with my parent(s) and decided on the following (write your plan on the lines below using no less than five (5) sentences, please): ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Student Signature: ______________________________ Parent Signature: _______________________________ Mrs. Siebener WE ARE A TEAM! I am here for you. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions or concerns about my reading class. I look forward to working with you and having a fantastic year! Mrs. Colleen Siebener Reading ~ Grade Six Mechanicsburg Middle School Amazing Cats ~ Room 111 717-691-4560 (Ext. 7111) csiebener@mbgsd.org