Welcome+To+Ms.+Strickland's+Class!

__﻿Welcome to Ms. Strickland's Eighth Grade English Class!__

This blog is YOUR gateway to the happenings and events in your 8th grade English classroom. It is IMPORTANT to understand class expectations, class content and class rules. Attached is a copy of the class syllabus. If you have misplaced your copy, you may get another here: =Reminder: All students are REQUIRED to sign a copy of the syllabus, along with a parent/guardian to ensure we are all on the same page! :) =

Ms. Strickland’s Course Syllabus

Language Arts—8th Grade, Room 104

StricklandEnglish@cityschools.com – PH: 757-504-6143

Website: www.cityschools.com/StricklandEnglish

YOU CHOOSE YOUR PATH; YOU DETERMINE YOUR SUCCESS.

__Introduction of the Teacher: __ Greetings! Welcome to my classroom. In order to get to know one another, I would like to provide you with some information about myself. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in English with a minor in Communication Studies and a Masters in Teaching from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family and close friends. I have two cats, Giovanni and Louie, love watching movies and enjoy attending local sporting events and plays. I believe every student deserves a chance to excel both academically and socially; therefore, I will do my best to ensure that each and every student is granted this opportunity daily.

__Dear Parent/Guardian: __ Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year! I am looking forward to working hand-in-hand with each of you in this mutual relationship to enhance educational learning. I am both excited and thankful to get to know and work with each of you. 8th grade provides to be a major milestone in the middle school experience, where students learn new material and begin to prepare for high school. I hope to foster a positive classroom environment to ensure an optimal learning experience. This letter contains important announcements and information regarding classroom rules, procedures, routines and expectations. Please read this letter and confirm that both you __and__ your student have done so by signing and returning this document within the first week of class.

__Rules: __ __Keeping it simple: __ 1) Respect yourself, teachers, classmates, staff and property. 2) Come to class on time and take your seat promptly. 3) Come prepared to class daily and actively participate. 4) Always Show appropriate behavior. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">5) Demonstrate academic honesty and integrity at all times.

__<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;">Rule explanations: __ <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">1) Always show respect for everyone, teacher and fellow students, in the class. Treat people and their belongings the way you wish to be treated. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">2) Be in the classroom and seated by/before the bell, each day. Those not in their seats at the start of class time will be counted tardy. Tardies will be handled according to school policy (4 or more tardies in one (1) nine weeks result in assigned after-school detention). <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">3) Bring all your materials (including homework and needed classroom supplies) with you daily. We will be organized, efficient, and on task. Participating means: being ready to answer questions, giving meaningful insight to class conversation and remaining actively involved. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">4) Pay attention to whoever has the floor (whether it is me, a classmate, or a guest speaker). Do not be a distraction to your classmates. Do your personal best. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">5) Academic honesty and integrity it expected at all times in my classroom. Any suspected cheating or other form of academic dishonesty will be reported to administration for further investigation.

__<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;">Routines: __ · <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Instructional Preparation/Beginning of Class: Be in your seats quietly working as the tardy bell rings. The class will start promptly at the tardy bell. Personal requests will not be honored at the beginning of class until the entire class understands the learning objective for the day and begins to work on it. “Do Nows” are placed on the board within the first 5-10 minutes of the class period—it is important to be on time, in order to complete this assignment. · <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Paper Heading Importance: In an effort to reduce confusion, we will use the following heading in the top right of all papers: Name, Date, Block, Assignment Title. Additionally, you must place the complete heading on the front of your work and also your name on the back of all documents to be graded. Graded work returned by students will be upside down to prevent students from viewing grades of their classmates. The heading is worth 5 points on all written assignments. · <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Personal requests (calling home, rest room, water, pencil sharpener, go see another teacher, go to the office, etc.): Personal requests will not be honored at the beginning of class before the entire class understand the daily learning objective and begins to work on it. That is why important personal requests that can't wait until 10-15 minutes after the tardy bell must be accomplished: (1) at school before the day begins at 7:20AM, (2) at school before my class begins, or (3) during the 5 minute passing period before my class begins. I will generally be unsympathetic as to why some action could not have been completed in any one of the above time periods. If a personal emergency presents itself, the student is welcomed to speak to me in private. · <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Graded Work: I will return graded work by one of the following methods: (1) you may pick it up from one of the “Graded work” folders located by the door, as you enter the room or (2) I may pass it back to you in class or personally if you wish to receive it during my planning block [7:20-9:25]. In all cases, you are not permitted to look at other students grades. Please study all returned work. You may come to me with any individual questions on returned graded work. The grading scale for the school and my classroom are located on page 2. · <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I Was Absent: If you know that you will be absent, please tell me so I may provide the assignment(s) for the day(s) you will be absent. Although homework assignments are posted on my website for the week, handouts and other in-class activities provided during class time are not. If you miss class, please go to the “I Was Absent” folder and retrieve all of the material which contains your name. You may pick up this material before school, if I am available. You must make up all missed work within one week of the day which you were absent. Make up work for long-term absences will be handed on an individual basis. · <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Homework: Please be aware that as students in my class, you should expect to have homework three (3) to four (4) days a week. Homework for the entire week will be passed out on Monday of that week and posted on my class website. Students are aware of all weekly homework assignments that need to be completed. For this reason, I will generally be unsympathetic to incomplete assignments. Please pace your homework completion with your own personal schedule and responsibilities. · <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Dismissal: I will dismiss your class at the appropriate time--not the bell. Everyone must continue working until I dismiss you. All students must be in their assigned seats prior to dismissal. <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Grades will be received as follows: 100% - 90% = A 89% - 80% = B 79% - 70% = C 69% - 60% = D59% - 0% = F || <span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #ff0000; display: block; margin: auto auto auto 9.9pt; text-align: center;">__<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Grading Breakdown: __ <span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: auto auto auto 9.9pt; text-align: center;">Homework: 10% Participation: 20% Quizzes: 20% 4 given at 5% a piece Papers: 20% 2 given at 10% a piece Tests: 20% 2 given at 10% a piece Reading Log: 10% ||
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">__<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Grading Policy: __

__<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;">Class Rewards/Positive Reinforcement: __ <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Whole class and individual rewards will be given when appropriate behavior is illustrated and completion of work is maintained. The class will be able to choose as a whole to: afternoon art and/or music, read-in party, educational video experience, class recognition by an administrator, field trips, educational game <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Individual reinforcement may include: good phone calls home, homework passes, public/private praise

__<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;">Reinforcement Policies __ <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Everything you do in life both good and bad results in a consequence. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This Language Arts classroom works the same way: there are very few rules in class; therefore, I expect you to follow them. If you don’t, here are the consequences: 1st Offense: Verbal warning or seat change 2nd Offense: Call home/e-mail parents and signed contract of infraction by student 3rd Offense: 3:00PM detention for one (1) hour and signed contract of infraction by student 4th Offense: Referral sent to the office for administrative action in the case of severe disruptions Subsequent Offenses: Referral, administrative action <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">*Please, Note: I reserve the right to skip steps or take multiple actions for severe disruptions.

__<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">Class Objectives: __
 * <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">To provide an environment conducive to the development of a positive self-image, and respect for self and others.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">To give each individual quality educational experiences, which will enrich life and provide the information to become a productive, successful member of society.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">To provide academic programs and experiences appropriate to the needs, interests, and abilities of each student.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">To offer opportunities for research, creative and critical thinking, and problem solving.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">To teach students effective study habits and organizational skills.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">To support reciprocal relationships among students, staff, and the local community so that there is an exchange of ideas, services, and skills.

<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">I have read the preceding document and agree with the rules, consequences and expectations.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;">Student Signature:

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;">Date: __