Back to School Night 7th Grade Communication Arts

1. Back to School Night7th Grade Communication Arts Mrs. McAllister Mrs. Ehrich Mrs. Lentz Mrs. Hall

2. Support/Enrichment (Pd. 3) • Students rotate in small groups to their core content teachers • Teachers may request specific students who are struggling, falling behind on their work, or need to make up a test or assignment • Students may also request to see a specific teacher if they need extra help • Reading specialist: Mrs. Hall • For students who don’t need extra help, this period will also be for enrichment • Book talks in the media center, moodle, edmodo, writing conferences • Not a study hall

3. Bell Ringer (2 minutes) • Write down one statement about your child. This could be an interesting fact, or just something you think I should know.

4. Communication Arts at a Glance • Writing • personal narrative • poetry • research • frequent journaling and reading responses Literature • Short stories • Poetry • Drama • Nonfiction • Mythology Vocabulary & Grammar Skills

5. SSR (Sustained Silent Reading) • Daily routine • Why SSR? • 50 points each marking period • Requirements: • Come to class with a book every day (no magazines or comic books) • Focus on reading the entire time • Complete book logs • Participate in SSR related activities, projects, and book talks

6. Reading “Mini-Lessons” with Mrs. Hall • First 20 minutes of class • Preview or review skills learned in class • Students will be selected based on 6th grade PSSA results, foresight data, class assessment results, and classroom observations

7. Organization • 3 ring binder with three sections (bell ringer, notes, assignments) • Journal • SSR book • Students will not be assigned a text book • http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/

8. Grades • Homework- If students do not come to class with their homework completed, it is late. They can turn it in the next day for half credit. • Writing- Students are strongly encouraged to revise major writing assignments to earn points back. • Projects- Students are always given a rubric ahead of time so they know how I will grade their projects.

9. Missing School • Absence policy- Students have the same amount of days they missed to make up work. • Please encourage your child to get their work ahead of time if they know they will miss school.

10. Monitoring Your Student’s Progress • Agenda • Homework and project due dates • Upcoming tests/quizzes • My Website • http://www.sgasd.org//Domain/127 • Homework and project due dates and information • Upcoming tests/quizzes • Class notes • Overview of marking period topics of study • Links to helpful resources • Edline • https://www.edline.net/Index.page • Grades (updated weekly)

11. Other Resources We Will Use This Year • Moodle (http://sgasdmoodle.caiu.org/) • Online discussion forum • SSR book discussions • Share writing with peers • Edmodo (http://www.edmodo.com/#) • Students respond to questions, videos, or other websites I post • Students can upload and share their projects and writing for feedback from their peers

12. Contact Information Mrs. McAllister • Email: mcallisL@sgasd.org • Phone: 717-225-4731 ext. 6223 Mrs. Ehrich • Email: ehriche@sgasd.org • Phone: 717-225-4731 ext. 6226 Mrs. Lentz • Email: lentzD@sgasd.org • Phone: 717-225-4731 ext: 6225 Mrs. Hall • Email: hallL@sgasd.org • Phone: 717-225-4731 ext: 6220

13. List three things you did this summer. • Choose one of those things you listed, and summarize the event in 3-5 sentences. • Based on today, compare and contrast 6th and 7th grade. • Think of something you learned this summer OR in 6th grade. How will you applywhat you learned to this school year? • Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give three reasons to supportyour position. Students should be required to go to school year round, with 3 weeks of break every marking period.