RMS Open House 8th Grade Pre-AP Language Arts Melissa Landers

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RMS Open House 8th Grade Pre-AP Language
ArtsMelissa Landers
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Contact Info

• E-mail melissa.landers_at_humble.k12.tx.us
• Website RMS Teacher Websites
  Melissa Landers
• Conference 310-345
• Phone [phone]

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8 Pre-AP Tutoring

• Wednesday A.M. 745 820
• (8th grade)

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8 Pre-AP Grading Scale

• 70 Summative
• 30 Formative
• (district determined)

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Grading Policies

• All grades will be marked in the gradebook as
  earned, even if below a 50.
• All assignments will be accepted up to two days
  late. It is worth 75 of the earned grade the
  1st day late (max of 75) the 2nd day is 50
  credit of the earned grade (max of 50). After
  third day late, no credit (0 in grade book).
• Gradebook Codes
• A student absent needs to complete for
  makeup work
• Z assignment is missing will receive
  some credit when/if teacher
• receives work (averages as a zero, but
  is not final grade)
• X student exempt from assignment
• 0 - final grade teacher has requested
  missing work and student has
• not complied
• blank space teacher has not yet entered
  grade
• Make-up Work district policy is 1 extra day per
  excused day absent
• (Note make-up can be late if not completed
  in timely manner!)

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8 Pre-AP Ongoing Assignments

• Independent Reading
• Students will not have class time to read.
• It is a homework assignment.
• Independent Reading is assessed using the
  Renaissance Place Accelerated Reader Program.
• The due dates and grading scale are available on
  my website.
• Students received handouts in class.
• Knowsys Vocabulary
• New word list assigned each Monday
• Quiz (formative) each Friday
• TEST (summative) after each five groups of words
• Quizzes and Tests are cumulative
• Word Group Lists and Alphabetical Master List
  available on my website
• Pre-made Flashcards are available for purchase at
  myknowsys.com
• Purchasing flashcards is NOT required.

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Textbooks

• Holt McDougall Literature - Grade 8
• We will use a class set.

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Novels

• Night by Elie Wiesel
• The Other Side of the Sky by Farah
  Ahmadi
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Note Personal copies of novels are highly
• recommended for annotation.

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Class Expectations

• Read outside of class on a regular basis.
• Complete homework and turn it in on time.
• Complete assignments to the best of your ability.
• Actively listen and participate in class.
• Respect yourself, classmates, and teacher.
• Take care of all school equipment and supplies.
• "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then,
  is not an act, but a habit."
• Aristotle

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Conduct

• Enters room quietly, under control
• Sits down promptly
• On task for duration of class
• Very respectful of peers
• Responsible student
• Minor noise, usually controlled
• Usually on task
• Follows class rules, occasional re-direct
• Major difficulties entering room and starting
• Does not have all materials
• Difficulty staying on task
• Redirect needed often
• Does not always exhibit good interpersonal skills
• Enters and leaves room noisily
• No materials

E S N U
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Things Parents Can Do to Help

• Make sure students are reading.
• Make sure students are reviewing vocabulary
  words.
• Check planners.
• Check grades online.
• Check the website when absent.
• E-mail questions.
• Please DONT bring their forgotten homework to
  school.
• Encourage independence.

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LONGHORN PRIDE

• Be Responsible
• Be Respectful
• Be Safe
• Be a Problem Solver
• Be Accountable for Your Decisions
• Its a great day to be a Longhorn!
• Thanks for coming to Open House!
• Thank you for the opportunity to be part of your
  childs life this year.
• Its going to be a great year!

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Supplies

• 3 Ring Binder
• 4-5 dividers
• Planner
• Pencils, Black or Blue Pens, Highlighter(daily)
• Wide rule notebook paper (daily)
• Index cards
• Sticky notes if using class novels

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Box tops 4th Period
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First Semester

• Literature
• Genres - short stories, poetry, non-fiction,
  drama, and novels
• Students are expected to evaluate, analyze, and
  critique these selections in writing and oral
  discussion with increasing depth and complexity.
• Writing
• We will focus on the following modes of writing
  creative(short story), argument (persuasive),
  research, and literary analysis. We will
  introduce/reinforce blended quotations, concrete
  details, commentary, and MLA format.
• Grammar
• We will study Applied Grammar and Sentence
  Composing and improve and vary our sentence
  structure.
• Vocabulary
• Students will learn SAT vocabulary words
  through weekly word lists and
• quizzes. We will also study new words in
  context of reading
• assignments.

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Second Semester

• We will continue the same objectives as the fall
  semester.
• We will introduce cause-effect writing, complete
  an in-depth analysis of poetry, read another
  novel, and work on AP strategies.

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What is Pre-AP?

• At the high school level, Advanced Placement
  (AP) courses are designed to prepare students for
  college level work and to allow students the
  opportunity to receive college credit upon
  successfully completing an exam. Pre-AP exists
  for the purpose of preparing for these courses.

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Pre-AP

• teaches and reinforces crucial academic skills
  and behaviors
• is developed locally RMS, CMS and KMS Pre-AP
  teachers have met many times over the past five
  years to align curriculum with KHS K-Park
  Pre-AP and AP teachers and continue to meet
  regularly
• aligns with standards set by The College Board
• teachers have completed College Board Pre-AP
  training
• requires strong administrative and parental
  support
• stresses critical thinking and literary analysis
• is open to any student wishing to take the course
• demands organization and self-discipline
• expects students can and will read and work
  independently.
• Students are working above grade level.