Welcome to 8th Grade ELA (introduction letter)

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William Alexander  Middle School 51

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

Dear 8^th-Grade Students and Parents,     September 2015

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 Friday, 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      2 notebooks of any kind, 1 for writing and 1 for notetaking 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 or markers q      Lots of 4x4 post-its q      Mini-stapler q      If possible, please donate printer and construction paper, tape, markers, post-its, and facial tissues.

Grading

Tests, Quizzes, Projects 50%: this includes the reading/writing blog, group and independent projects, and writing assignments including Writer’s Notebook, literary and argument essays, Social Action Picture Book, and Poetry Chapbook.   

Homework 20%: students are required to do at least 120 hours of independent reading each week, complete handouts and other assignments that are extensions of the day’s class work and are fundamental to applying skills learned in class. Some work will be due the day after it is assigned, and some work will be due on specific dates provided in advance.

Participation 20%: students must participate in small group and whole class discussions and be present and participate in all tasks and activities. This includes independent reading in class and Project REAL.

Preparation/Behavior 10%: Students must be organized and prepared with supplies, independent reading books, and homework each day (also, see Daily Expectations rubric), and remember, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile”J. And no cell phones, gum/candy, late work, and no excuses.

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, and restrictions on trips and Senior Activities. Also, I take my classes on at least three trips a year but only if the students are meeting my standards and expectations.

PARENT-STUDENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION

The best way for us to communicate is through email. Students especially must have a gmail account for general academic purposes; please set this up with them (go to gmail.com).

Contact me at denise.galang@gmail.com or send a note with your child. Also, check my blog, msgalangenglish.blogspot.com, for lessons and handouts. Thank you for your support and cooperation. I look forward to an exciting year together!

   

Sincerely, Ms. Galang                                

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

Email 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 Friday September 11.

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? Do you have any other questions, concerns, or comments?

__________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

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