Parent Information Night

1. Parent Information Night Medford High School Mr. David Ambrose English 10: British Literature Thursday, September 19, 2013

2. Welcome, parents! • Thank you for coming this evening. • Goals for tonight: • To help you understand the work we will be doing throughout the school year. • To explain my expectations for my students. • To share information about how you can support learning at home. • To answer any questions about the course syllabus.

3. A Little About Me • 32 years old • 10th year teaching at Medford High School • English 11 Honors • English 10 Honors and English 10 Standard • Yearbook • Proud father to Ben and Charlotte (also students!) • UMass Amherst ’03, B.A. English and Journalism • UMass Amherst ’04, M.Ed.

4. About Our Student Teacher, Ms. Stevens • 24 years old; lives in Somerville; from Everett. • Graduate student at Lesley University • B.A. from Emerson College in Writing, Literature, and Publishing • Was a permanent sub and taught a few of Mr. Ambrose’s classes last year. • Mock Trial Coach and Co-Advisor for the Gay Straight last year.

5. Curriculum Goals • To create a safe and comfortable learning environment for each student. • To provide each student the opportunity to express himself/herself in a variety of appropriate and creative ways. • To analyze and evaluate literature from various genres and time periods. • To foster a love and appreciation for reading, writing, speaking, and listening. • To prepare for standardized tests such as the MCAS and PSAT.

6. Common Core Curriculum • What is it? • How does it affect what we do? • A Greater Focus on Nonfiction • Reading of Literature • Reading of Informational Texts • Speaking and Listening • Writing • Language

7. School-wide Initiatives • Core Values • Collaboration • Engagement • Personalization • 21st Century Learning Expectations • Each is assessed by a school-wide rubric. • English – responsible for Communication Skills • Development of Common SMART Goals • Measurable for teachers, measurable for students

8. Grading Policies • Every student has the opportunity to succeed. • Quarterly grades will be determined by dividing total points earned over total possible points. • 5-30 point assignments: daily homework and classwork, participation • 50 point assignments: quizzes, essay rough drafts • 100 point assignments: projects, formal essays, tests • Printed grade reports are available upon request. • Digital grade reports are available via iParent.

9. Class Information • Literature • An overview of British literature • Standardized Test Preparation • PSAT (October 2013) • MCAS (Spring 2014) • Reading and Writing Workshop • Self-selected reading, nonfictional informational texts • Grammar • Vocabulary

10. MCAS • An important focus for sophomore year • Graduation requirement • John and Abigail Adams Scholarship • Weekly preparation on Fridays • Weekly vocabulary and grammar • Focus on nonfiction informational texts • www.doe.mass.edu • “MCAS” • “Test Items” • MCAS Question of the Day • A tip for MCAS success: read, read, read!

11. How to get Involved • Please bookmark the course website. • www.misterambrose.com • On the website, you will find the following: • Current and archived homework assignments • An e-mail link • Examples of student work • Links to help your child with homework • Follow me on Twitter - @misterambrose • Email me any time you like

12. Index Cards • Your name and your child’s name • Have you been receiving e-mails? • Is there anything you want me to know so that I may be a better teacher for your child? • Is there anything you would like to share about your child’s personality, interests, or previous academic experiences?

13. Wrap Up • Writing Contests • Parent-Teacher Conferences • Following first quarter report cards • 781.264.0881 • misterambrose@yahoo.com • www.misterambrose.com • Does anyone have any questions?

14. Thank you for coming!