RMS Open House 8th Grade Language Arts Melissa Sony

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RMS Open House 8th Grade Language
ArtsMelissa Sony
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Who is Mrs. Sony?

• lived in Houston for most of my life
• - in Kingwood for 8 years
• taught at Riverwood for 7 years
• married with three children
• - son, 2014 KHS grad - off to
  
• - daughter, 10th _at_ KHS
• - son, 7th _at_ RMS
• enjoy reading, running, movies,
• outdoor concerts

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Course Syllabus First Semester

• Literature short stories, poetry, non-fiction,
  and drama
• Students are expected to evaluate, analyze, and
  critique these selections in writing and oral
  discussion with increasing depth and complexity.
• Writing creative (short story), argument
  (persuasive), research, and literary analysis.
  Students are expected to incorporate blended
  quotations, concrete details, commentary, and MLA
  format.
• Grammar applied grammar, sentence composing, and
  varying sentence structure.
• Vocabulary SAT vocabulary words through Knowsys
  weekly word lists and quizzes. Students will
  also study new words in context of reading
  assignments.

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Literature Textbook

• Holt McDougall Literature - Grade 8
• We will use a class set.
• Online Textbook info to come.
• RELA 8 - Interactive Reader workbook
• in addition to class set of textbooks and online
• textbook.

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Class Novel

• Night by Elie Wiesel
• Night is Elie Wiesels masterpiece, a candid,
  horrific, and deeply poignant autobiographical
  account of his experience as a teenager in the
  Nazi death camps. And in a substantive new
  preface, Elie reflects on the enduring
  importance of Night and his lifelong, passionate
  dedication to ensuring that the world never
  forgets mans capacity for inhumanity to man.
• It is a good idea for students to have their
  own copies
• of novels to practice annotating, but it is
  not required.

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Knowsys VocabularyVocabulary program used
throughout Humble ISD in grades 6-8

• New word list assigned each Friday (10 words)
• Quiz each Friday (formative)
• TEST (summative) after each five groups of words
• Quizzes and Tests are cumulative
• Word Group Lists and Alphabetical List with
  definitions are available on my website
• Pre-made vocabulary cards are available for
  purchase _at_ myknowsys.com
• iPhone and Android apps also available at
  myknowsys.com

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Accelerated Reader

• Novels are on a point value system. Students need
  to earn 20 points per nine week grading period.
• Due dates are posted on my website
• AR is a summative (test) grade
• All tests must be taken on a computer in my room.
• AR is an ongoing homework assignment

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Grading Information

• Formative Assessments 40
• Daily Work, Homework, and Quizzes
• Summative Assessments 60
• Tests, Projects, and A.R.
• Testing days Tuesday and Thursday

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RMS Grading Policy

• All assignments will be accepted up to 4 days
  late. It is worth 80 of the earned grade the
  1st day late the 2nd day is 60 credit of the
  earned grade, the 3rd day is 40 credit of the
  earned grade, and the 4th day is 20 credit of
  the earned grade . After the fourth day late,
  no credit will be offered (0 in grade book).
• Grade book Codes
• A student absent needs to complete for makeup
  work
• X student exempt from assignment
• O - final grade teacher has requested missing
  work 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

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Tutoring

• 8th Grade
• Wednesdays745-820 a.m.
• Other days/times by appointment
• Anytime your child is absent, he or she needs to
  come to tutoring on the first morning back to
  check the Absent student file to ask for
  clarification on missed assignments.
• I encourage students to come to tutoring as
  much as needed. They can use that time to finish
  incomplete work, ask for help for help with
  certain assignments, or to catch up on reading.
• Testing days are Tuesdays and Thursdays

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Contact Info

• Web Site
• http//www.humbleisd.net/rms/msony
• Email
• melissa.sony_at_humble.k12.tx.us
• Remind 101
• To receive text message reminders
• for ReLA tests essay/AR due dates, sign up at
• Enter [phone] Text _at_66c58
• Classroom Phone
• 281-641-4856

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How Parents Can Help

• Check planners.
• Check grades online.
• Make sure students are reading.
• Make sure students are reviewing vocabulary
  words.
• Proofread essays, but dont write or re-write.
• Check the teachers website when absent.
• Check the website to see if information is posted
  that will answer your question.
• E-mail questions.
• DONT bring their forgotten homework to school.
• Encourage independence.

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Its Great to be a Longhorn!

• Thanks for coming! Its going to be a great year.