Back to School Night7th Grade Communication Arts

Mrs. McAllisterMrs. EhrichMrs. LentzMrs. Hall

Support/Enrichment (Pd. 3)• Students rotate in small groups to their core content

teachers• Teachers may request specific students who are

struggling, falling behind on their work, or need to make up a test or assignment

• Students may also request to see a specific teacher if they need extra help

• Reading specialist: Mrs. Hall• For students who don’t need extra help, this period will

also be for enrichment• Book talks in the media center, moodle, edmodo, writing

conferences• Not a study hall

Bell Ringer (2 minutes)

•Write down one statement about your child. This could be an interesting fact, or just something you think I should know.

Communication Arts at a Glance

Literature• Short stories• Poetry• Drama• Nonfiction• Mythology

Writing• personal narrative• poetry• research • frequent journaling and reading responses

Vocabulary & Grammar Skills

SSR (Sustained Silent Reading)

•Daily routine•Why SSR?•50 points each marking period•Requirements:

▫Come to class with a book every day (no magazines or comic books)

▫Focus on reading the entire time▫Complete book logs▫Participate in SSR related activities,

projects, and book talks

Reading “Mini-Lessons” with Mrs. Hall

•First 20 minutes of class•Preview or review skills learned in class•Students will be selected based on 6th

grade PSSA results, foresight data, class assessment results, and classroom observations

Organization

•3 ring binder with three sections (bell ringer, notes, assignments)

•Journal•SSR book•Students will not be assigned a text book

•http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/

Grades

• Homework- If students do not come to class with their homework completed, it is late. They can turn it in the next day for half credit.

• Writing- Students are strongly encouraged to revise major writing assignments to earn points back.

• Projects- Students are always given a rubric ahead of time so they know how I will grade their projects.

Missing School

•Absence policy- Students have the same amount of days they missed to make up work.

•Please encourage your child to get their work ahead of time if they know they will miss school.

Monitoring Your Student’s Progress• Agenda

▫ Homework and project due dates▫ Upcoming tests/quizzes

• My Website▫ http://www.sgasd.org//Domain/127▫ Homework and project due dates and information▫ Upcoming tests/quizzes▫ Class notes▫ Overview of marking period topics of study▫ Links to helpful resources

• Edline▫ https://www.edline.net/Index.page▫ Grades (updated weekly)

Other Resources We Will Use This Year

•Moodle (http://sgasdmoodle.caiu.org/)

▫Online discussion forum▫SSR book discussions▫Share writing with peers

•Edmodo (http://www.edmodo.com/#)

▫Students respond to questions, videos, or other websites I post

▫Students can upload and share their projects and writing for feedback from their peers

Contact InformationMrs. McAllister• Email: mcallisL@sgasd.org• Phone: 717-225-4731 ext. 6223

Mrs. Ehrich • Email: ehriche@sgasd.org• Phone: 717-225-4731 ext. 6226

Mrs. Lentz• Email: lentzD@sgasd.org• Phone: 717-225-4731 ext: 6225

Mrs. Hall• Email: hallL@sgasd.org• Phone: 717-225-4731 ext: 6220

• List three things you did this summer. • Choose one of those things you listed, and

summarize the event in 3-5 sentences.

• Based on today, compare and contrast 6th and 7th grade.

• Think of something you learned this summer OR in 6th grade. How will you apply what you learned to this school year?

• Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give three reasons to support your position.

Students should be required to go to school year round, with 3 weeks of break every marking period.