March 2015
Important ELA Information for 8th Grade Parents
From : Ms. Galang (denise.galang@gmail.com)
1. Progress Reports: Sign in to jupitergrades.com; please check current grade then email me to indicate that you have gone over the report with your child. This is a required homework. Let me know if you have any questions or if there are any mistakes on the grade report. The end of the 3rd quarter is March 29.
2. Independent reading:
"A book is a gift you can open again and again." — Garrison Keillor
a. Students need to have at least 1 independent reading book in school with them at all times. They need to be prepared for Project Real and for in-class independent reading periods; this is all part of their preparation grade for the report card.
b. Outside of school, students should be reading at least 3 hours a week. The more they read, the better. Also, they should be completing a reading log and collecting pledges for our read-a-thon. Please encourage your children to read.
c. We are running out of books in our classroom library. Many books are being taken but not returned to my library; make sure students are not hoarding books or misplacing them.
Ways to get more books into our children’s hands:
- purchase books for your child and/or for our classroom library through my 8th grade Book Wish List on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/WKYHM1B9RCA8/ref=cm_wl_sortbar_o_page_1
- go to the public library; make sure your child has a library card. You can place books on hold, borrow e-books, and simply browse and take out books. Use the convenient, user-friendly website: http://www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/
- encourage family and friends to purchase books as gifts
- if possible, donate age-appropriate books to the classroom library. Email me to find out if books you have are appropriate.
- Kindles and e-readers are highly encouraged; students can use them in school, as long as they use them for independent reading only.
3. Test Prep:
a. We have been teaching to the Common Core Standards since the beginning of the year, and have woven all the necessary skills into our curriculum. From now until the test, we will be working on the format of the exam and practicing strategies. The best way for students to prepare and maximize success is to READ A LOT and increase endurance and stamina.
b. General information:
ELA Test on April 14-16; each day is 90 minutes long.
Day 1: Reading - 6 passages, 42 multiple choice questions
Day 2: 3 passages, 7 multiple choice, 3 short response, 1 extended response
Day 3: 3 passages, 5 short response, 1 extended response
About the texts – they will be authentic (already existing articles, stories, poems, etc.) or commissioned (written by test-makers):
3-8 Literary Passages (poetry, fiction, drama)
4-10 Informational Passages (expository, argumentative, instructional, or narrative)
100% of points require close reading; all questions are text-based
Up to 45% of points require writing and command of language
c. Ways to prepare and get support:
- READ daily; read a range of genres; critically read Upfront articles
- Review notes and handouts on: writing reading responses, incorporating quotations, sentence structure, writing argument essays, writing about fiction, writing about nonfiction, poetry packet, and literary devices
d. For further reading about the NYS test, read:
We have read and understood the information outlined in this letter.
Date: _______________________________
Student’s Signature: _____________________________
Parent’s Name: ___________________________Parent’s Signature: ___________________
Questions/comments:
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