Mrs' Terry, Language Arts, 216

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Mrs. Terry, Language Arts, 216

• Please sit anywhere for today, but do not move
  any chairs.
• Take a half sheet of paper, fold it like a
  hot-dog bun and write your first and last name on
  both sides for a name tag.

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Welcome to Language Arts!

• Mrs. Terry, Grades 7-8
• 2009-2012

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Important Information

• amy.terry_at_dvusd.org
• E-mail is my preferred method of contact. I
  answer e-mails twice daily (morning and after
  school).
• My website is full of important information,
  including the syllabus, agenda, copies of
  assignments, and valuable links. Please visit
  frequently
• http//amyterry.myteacher.dvusd.com/
• There is also a link to each teachers site on
  the Highland Lakes website.
• There will be a link to this Power-Point,
  including additional slides on my website.

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Meet the Teacher

• I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
• I met and married my husband here. We have a
  three-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son.
• I received my bachelors degree in American
  Literature from Grand Valley State University,
  and my masters degree in secondary education
  from ASU.
• I love reading, writing, camping at the beach,
  cooking, and studying government, politics, and
  world religions.
• If I didnt teach language arts, I would love to
  teach social studies.

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My Family
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Sofia and Taj
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My Goals In a Nutshell

• To inspire you to read literature and to like it
• To give you the privilege of listening to others
  ideas (not just mine), and the opportunity to
  share your own
• To teach you the language used to discuss
  literature (plot, irony, symbolism, etc.).
• To give you the tools that you need to write an
  effective essay, story or poem.
• To nurture your creativity and allow it to grow.

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Class Objectives (based on state standards)

• Review and strengthen grammar, punctuation,
  spelling and vocabulary skills.
• Use the multi-paragraph essay format and the six
  traits of quality writing to create structured
  essays and creative writing pieces, including
  poetry.
• Read and analyze short stories, novels, and
  poetry for comprehension and content.
• Participate in class discussions based on
  assigned literary texts.
• Learn and utilize the elments of literature.
• Engage in independent reading and complete
  projects based on selected books.

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Classroom Expectations

• We will obey the school rules and district
  policies.
• We will not cause a problem for ourselves or
  others. If we do, we will be guided into owning
  and solving it. If we cannot self-correct our
  problem, our teacher will do something about it.
  If we feel that we have been treated unfairly by
  our teacher, we will talk to her privately about
  our feelings.

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and one more

• Mi casa es su casa (my house is your house) and
  this classroom is my second home. You are my
  guest please be respectful.
• If you havent already noticed,
• I value cleanliness and order.

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Suggested Supplies

• Pencils, pens (blue or black and red ink)
• Highlighters (we use them frequently)
• Loose-leaf paper (no frilly edges please!)
• Personal reading material (book, magazine, etc.).
  You will need this for all of your classes.
• A composition book which can be purchased at
  Wal-Mart or Target for 50.

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Please do not use spiral notebooks for this
class! Loose-leaf paper only!

• NO!

• YES!

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Portfolios

• Please bring a composition book to use as a
  portfolio. They can be purchased at Wal-Mart or
  Target for 50. I apologize that this wasnt on
  the supply list on the HL website. If you cannot
  get your own, I will buy you one myself. Please
  talk to me privately if this is the case.

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Please bring..
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Suggested Donations

• Tissues
• Markers (we use these frequently
• Post-Its (we use these to take notes)
• Hand sanitizer
• Highlighters
• Loose-leaf or copy paper
• Gift cards (Office Max or Staples)
• Donations can be dropped off in the office or
  brought to the classroom. Your generosity is
  greatly appreciated!

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Portfolios

• All of our work will be kept in our composition
  books. Handouts will be folded and stapled in,
  and notes will be taken and kept in.
• Portfolios will be graded at various times
  throughout the year.
• Grading criteria completion of assigned
  tasks/notes and neatness.

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Book Projects

• Students are required to read each quarter
• Advanced 500 pages (one or more books)
• Regular 200 pages (one book)
• Students will write about their books in their
  portfolios and will complete a project based on
  their book at the end of the quarter.
• For first quarter, students may choose any book
  they would like.
• More information about the projects will follow.

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Class Rules

• 1. Sit quietly in your assigned seat and be
  prepared for class when the bell rings.
• 2. Cell phones off and in your backpacks. You
  are not supposed to have them on campus.
• 3. No Gum!!
• 4. Raise your hand to speak.
• 5. Give me 5 (seconds after raising my hand to
  quiet the room).
• Please note that these classroom rules are in
  addition to the district policies and school
  rules. The purpose of these rules is to ensure
  that every student has an opportunity to learn in
  an orderly and respectful environment.

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Grades

• Grades in this class are not weighted. You can
  calculate your score by dividing the number of
  points earned by the number of points possible.
  Point values for each project, paper, or
  assignment are determined by me based on their
  importance and the time and effort required to
  complete them.

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PowerSchools

• You can and should check your grades on a
  regular basis. If you havent done so already,
  have your parents call or stop by the Highland
  Lakes office to receive a PowerSchools password.
  This will give you access to all of your grades
  online. You can also pick up your password in
  the office at open house.
• Please remember that I am evaluating and grading
  a lot of writing. It usually takes me a couple
  of weeks to grade major essays and projects.
  Your patience is appreciated.

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Test Make-Up and Tutoring

• Make up tests must be done before or after
  school. Please schedule a time with me at least
  one day in advance.
• I want to help every student succeed. Tutoring is
  available upon request. If there is enough
  interest, I will schedule before and/or
  after-school sessions that meet on a regular
  basis.
• Some students also like to come in to do
  homework, complete computer assignments, or to
  help other kids.

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Absent Work

• We follow the districts policy one day for
  each day absent.
• Example
• Absent Returns Work Due
• Tues. Wed. Thurs.
• Thurs. Fri. Mon. Wed.
• Mon. Fri. Mon. Mon.
• Students are responsible for finding out what
  they missed by checking the website, asking a
  classmate, or asking me.
• Absent work should be placed in the late work box
  with the word ABSENT written at the top and the
  date in the heading.

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Late and No-Name Work

• Late Work
• During the first quarter, late work will be
  accepted no more than one week past due for
  half-credit. Please turn in late work to the
  late-work box.
• No-Name Work
• Work missing a proper heading (name, hour, date)
  will be placed in the no-name box. If it
  belongs to you, put your name on it and put it in
  the late work box for half credit.

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Planners and Agenda

• You will write the agenda for the week in your
  planner for each class every Monday. The agenda
  is also on my website.
• Consult your planner or the website to see what
  you missed when absent.
•  

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Hall Pass

• Your planner is your hall pass. Any time you
  leave, you must fill out your planner (before
  asking to leave). Use the following codes RR
  (restroom), MC (media center), OC (other class),
  office, and nurse. Put the time next to the
  destination, and bring it up for me to sign
  without saying a word (to avoid interrupting
  others). I will ask you for clarification if
  needed. When you return, get back to work.
• You are allowed three hall passes per quarter for
  each teacher.

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Daily Procedures

•  
• Entering
• If the door is closed, line up along the wall
  and I will be right there. Sit in your assigned
  seats and check the board for instructions.
• Late to Class
• If you are late to class, please sit down
  quietly, wait for an appropriate time, and ask a
  tablemate what you missed. Do not come up to my
  desk unless you have a pass from the office or
  another teacher. I can see that you are here. I
  will follow the schools tardy policy.

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Exiting

• I will excuse you (not the bell) after all
  materials are picked up, tables and floors are
  cleaned, and all students are seated. When you
  leave, push in your chair. You may not
  congregate by the door before the bell rings. If
  I give you free time to chat, do it by your
  tables or somewhere other than the doorway.
  Crowding is a safety hazard. Please dont ask to
  leave early I am not allowed to excuse you
  before the bell.

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Disruptions

• If you need to get a drink, leave the class, or
  sharpen a pencil and it is not an emergency,
  please wait until an appropriate time (not during
  a lesson, lecture, instructions, or
  presentations).

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Opening Activity Tuesday, 8/18

• Please set your name tag out.
• Look over the class rules and procedures handout
  from yesterday (front and back).
• Think of one question that you have right now
  about anything on this sheet.
• In addition, think of one thing you would like to
  share with the class about yourself.
• Be prepared to share in 5 minutes!
• Thank you!

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8th Grade Opening Activity 8/19

• After you set out your name tag, please get out a
  clean sheet of loose-leaf paper. If you do not
  have one, get one from the front table by the
  door.
• Write a proper heading in the upper right hand
  corner of your paper as shown below
• Jane Jones
• 4th hour LA
• 8/19/09
• Reflective Writing Summer Vacation

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7th Grade Opening Activity 8/19

• After you set out your name tag, please get out a
  clean sheet of loose-leaf paper. If you do not
  have one, get one from the front table by the
  door.
• Write a proper heading in the upper right hand
  corner of your paper as shown below
• Jane Jones
• 4th hour LA
• 8/19/09
• Reflective Writing 7th Grade