Woodland Park Middle School

2014 - 2015

Tisha Seims/Kim Saito – 8th Grade Language Arts Teachers – Rm. 402/403

Periods 1/2/6

Welcome! I am your child’s 8th Grade Language Arts teacher. I am looking forward to a successful year with your child.

We will be following the core standards for English Language Arts.

Classroom Expectations:

Tardies: School rules apply in my classroom. A student is late if he/she is not in his/her seat when the bell rings. 1st and 2nd tardies are a warning, and 3rd tardies are detentions, 4 tardies = Wed. ALC

Absences: Missed work will be available in my classroom. The number of excused days missed equals the number of days allowed to make up work.

Bathroom Policy: Students need to make every effort to go to the bathroom during their passing period. Four free bathroom passes per semester will be issued to account for classroom emergencies. Additional use of the bathroom will be taken as a tardy. If a medical condition exists that requires frequent bathroom use, it is expected that it be on file.

Positive Rewards: Students will be able to earn various rewards for positive behavior, task completion, goal achievements etc. These will be, but not limited to, prize box rewards, positive calls/notes home, school approved lunch parties, homework passes, etc.

Discipline: Students are expected to follow the school rules. Students are also expected to follow the classroom norms which include:

 Mutual Respect

 Attentive Listening

 No put downs

 Right to participate

It will be made apparent when class rules are being broken. If negative behavior persists I will notify parents or guardians. However if I repeatedly remind a student about having inappropriate behavior he/she will be given a verbal warning, visual warning, write a paragraph about appropriate classroom behavior, detention, call to parent or guardian about inappropriate behavior. For more serious offenses there will be other consequences as well. These may be parent/guardian conferences, referral to office, suspensions. Grading: Students will be graded on the following weighted categories:

Essays/Writing – 30%

Homework/Classwork/Non-Writing Projects – 30%

Independent Reading – 20%

Tests/Quizzes – 20%

90-100=A

80-89=B

70-79=C

60-69=D

0-59=F

Homework: Students will be required to read their independent reading book that the teacher has approved. Students ought to look at the due dates of the trailer or critique and figure out how many pages they have to read every night. Including weekends to read is up to each student. Other various homework and projects will be assigned.

Responsible students should bring the following supplies to class daily:

 (1) pocket folders with 3 fasteners to keep writing notes and elements of literature notes

 (1) Spiral notebook with pockets and plastic covers (to withstand everyday use) for daily assignments. Minimum 200 pages.

 2 pencils and 2 pens – Pouch to hold these items

 handheld pencil sharpener (students will not be allowed to sharpen pencils during instruction)

 highlighters in the following colors: 1 pink, 1 blue, 1 yellow, 1 green

 loose leaf lined paper (students should not tear paper out of their notebooks)

Communication is essential for a successful year. Please contact me if you have any questions and/or concerns. Tisha Seims 760-290-2455 ext 3402 or by email at [email protected] Kim Saito 760-290-2455 ext 3403 or by email at [email protected]

Thank you, Tisha Seims and Kim Saito

Please sign and return this portion by Wednesday August 27th, 2014. Thank you.

I have received and read the information regarding Mrs. Seims’/Mrs. Saito’s class which includes the reading requirements:

Parent/Guardian Signature ______

Parent/Guardian e-mail ______

Parent/Guardian Phone ______

Student ______Per ______

Student email______Independent Reading Requirements

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body ~ Richard Steele, Tatler, 1710 Requirements

 Students will be expected to be reading independently at least 4 nights a week (15 pages per night).

 Your teacher will not be asking for a parent signature every night to verify you are reading. You are in 8th grade now and need to take responsibility for your reading.

 Books need to be a minimum of 200 pages in length.

 Students will need to register the book they are reading with their language arts teacher.

 Books need to be at an appropriate reading level.

 Students will read a new book every 6-8 weeks. Dates will be posted on your teacher’s google site.

 The expectation is that the book will be read in full within the 6-8weeks.

 A book trailer, book critique, or AR test will be due for each book read (See due dates on teacher google site) – NO EXCEPTIONS!!

 Book trailers and critiques need to be thorough or you may be asked to redo. AR tests have to have a passing score to earn credit.

 This will be your independent reading grade, which is 20% of your total grade.

 Rubrics and expectations for the trailers and critiques will be available on your teacher’s google site.  You cannot read a book you have previously read and you are only allowed one book that has been made into a movie for the school year.

Books need to be registered with your teacher (WORTH 10 POINTS PER DATE)

 1st book - Aug 29, 2014

 Future registration dates will be posted on teacher’s google site.