Welcome to 8th Grade ELA (+ intro letter)

Welcome to the final frontier of ELA at MS 51! This year, you will continue to read and think critically, write gracefully and skillfully, and have fun while you challenge yourselves and get ready for high school English. Here is the letter for you and your parents; complete and return the form that follows.

William Alexander  Middle School 51

350 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215    (718) 369-7603

Dear 8^th-Grade Students and Parents,     September 2013

Welcome to 8^th-Grade English Language Arts.  I would like to inform you of what the class entails and what is expected of the students.  Please review this letter with your child and complete, sign, and return the following form with supplies by Wednesday, September 11.

Curriculum

In 8^th-Grade ELA, the overarching theme is Reading and Writing for Social Justice.  We will be reading and responding to a variety of genres concerning social issues and writing and thinking through a lens of fairness and justice.  Students will be looking more closely at issues that are important to them and finding ways to use their writing to effect change concerning these issues.

Another focus of the year is independence. The students will learn and apply skills that will help them become stronger, more independent readers and writers, skills that will help them in high school and life in general.

Materials & Requirements.

Students are responsible for bringing their own supplies. Here is what they will need:

q      1 or 2 independent reading books of student’s choice (must have in class every day) q      1 writing and reading notebook (any kind) q      1 folder q      Loose-leaf paper q      Blue or black pens and #2 pencils for standardized tests

q      Markers and/or different colored pens q      Mini-stapler q      Box of tissues q      If possible, please donate printer and construction paper, tape, glue, markers, post-its, and/or appropriate books for our classroom library

Grading criteria

Reading: Independent reading at home at least 5 days a week and in class, Project REAL, reading responses, reading logs, tests, and projects

Writing: Published pieces, informal writing assignments, language study, tests, blog (to be taught)

Accountability: Class work, homework, being prepared for class, focus, participation, cooperation/behavior

RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

I expect every student to be on time, do the work that is expected, and take responsibility for his/her actions.  I also expect that each student will conduct him or herself with the proper behavior needed to maintain the ideal learning environment for all students. Please read and refer to the agenda book for expectations and rules of the school. Failure to comply with rules will result in notes on the Section Sheet, detention, and/or N’s/U’s on the report card.

PARENT-STUDENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION

It is integral that you have an email account because this is the best way for us to communicate. Students especially must have a gmail account; please set this up with them (go to gmail.com).

My classes are part of an online gradebook called Jupiter Grades. You will be able to log in (for free) and check students’ grades at any time during the year. I will be giving you your passwords soon; make sure to follow through with this tool. We are all responsible for the students’ success in this class and having open communication regarding grades is one way to help ensure this success.

Finally, feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, and/or feedback; the best way to contact me is through email (see below). Also, check my blog, msgalangenglish.blogspot.com for updates in ELA. Thank you for your support and cooperation. I look forward to an exciting year together!

   

Sincerely, Ms. Galang                               Email: denise.galang@gmail.com

Student(last name, first name): ____________________________  CLASS: __________

Email (gmail) address: ______________________________________________

For homeroom only: Locker # __________; Combination: __________________________

Dear Parents/Guardians:

After reading the letter with your child, please keep it for future reference. Also, complete and sign this form and return it by ______________________________________.

We have read and understood the requirements, rules, guidelines, and procedures outlined in the letter and agree to work together to follow them.

(Please print neatly.)

Student’s Name & Class:                                                            Signature:

_______________________________________             ________________________________________

Parents/Guardians’ Names (First and                                    Signatures:

Last) and Relations:           

_______________________________________            ________________________________________

_______________________________________            ________________________________________

Home Address:   ___________________________________________________________________________­

Contact Information

Parent/Guardian Name	Home #	Mobile #	Work #	E-mail Address (necessary for communicating about grades)

What is the best way to reach you?  ________________________________________________

When is the best time to reach you? _______________________________________________

Does your child have any special needs or requirements that I should know about?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Comments/Concerns: ________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________