Dear Parents;

This disclosure statement is meant to explain to you what your child will be learning in my class this year.

1. Course description/goal or purpose of the course:

The goal of 8th grade Language Arts is to continue students on the path to college and career readiness with a focus on reading, writing, speaking/listening and language. This honors class is distinguished from the regular class by studying material with higher reading levels, more AR points expected per quarter and a more thorough study of the language (grammar) objectives.

2. By the end of the course students should be able to:

-analyze texts;

-write arguments to support claims;

-write informative/explanatory texts;

-write narrative texts;

-complete short and extended research projects;

-use technology to produce/publish writing as well as collaborate with others;

-demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of 3 pages in a single sitting;

-engage effectively in discussions;

-give clear, logical oral presentations using multimedia to clarify information;

-demonstrate a command of the conventions of standard English grammar;

-read and comprehend informational texts and literature in the 6-8 text complexity band proficiently.

3. Description of the content and methods of instruction:

Students learn in this class by reading, writing, participating in discussion, collaborating in small groups and partnerships, listening to lecture, viewing media, moving around, teacher/peer modeling, etc. I will do my best to differentiate to the students’ varied learning styles.

Here is a link to the curriculum for this class: http://www.livebinders.com/play/play/948415.

4. If students can supply the following materials, it will be greatly appreciated:

-1 package of lined paper (college ruled)

-*a 1/2 inch binder with dividers (preferably with the display sleeves on the front and back) –

-2 sharpened pencils each day

-**A book to read

*This for our writer’s notebooks. We will use this daily in class. ½ inch is preferred, but they could go up to 1 inch; I don’t have room for bigger than that though.

**I have plenty of books in my classroom for students to check-out; we also have a school library.

5. Classroom participation skills that will be taught and expected of the students:

-rules for collegial discussion

-S.L.A.N.T. (A school-wide method for teaching listening skills.)

6. Homework skills that will be taught and expected of the students:

Many times throughout the year, students have required reading material that must be completed as homework. Students are expected to come prepared, having read or studied the required material, in order to fully engage in the lesson.

(Homework skills continued)

Students are required to earn 25 Accelerated Reader (AR) points per quarter. To find a book’s AR point value look at this website, http://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx.

Students are taught to be proactive by completing class work during class time, and if they need more time, to complete it at home or in ETC (Extra Time Commitment).

7. Student behavioral expectations:

Students follow ARL’s Great Expectations for the classroom which are based on respect.

8. Grading procedures:

A = 93% + C+ = 77 – 79%

A- =90 – 92% C = 73 – 76% 59% and below is Failing (F)

B+ = 87 – 89% C- = 70 – 72%

B = 83- 86% D+ = 67 -69%

B- = 80 – 82% D = 63 – 66%

D- = 60 – 62%

Excused Student Absence—Students will be responsible for obtaining the homework assignment from another student or from the teacher, and completing that assignment within the time frame established by the excused absence policy.

Late work—Unexcused late work will be docked credit. No assignment will be accepted after the term ends.

Cheating—Student will NOT be allowed to make up any work, project, assignment, or test in which cheating by that student occurred, including plagiarism. Plagiarism is taking and using someone else’s writing or ideas and presenting them as your own. I will teach students how to cite to avoid any trouble in this area.

In the event of cheating, the school administration and parents will be contacted.

9. Procedures for getting extra help:

Students are encouraged to talk to me. I will schedule a time (before/after school, my prep hour, my intervention hour), and I will do all I can to help each student succeed.

I am very excited to get to know and work with your child this year. I am here to help each student reach their fullest potential, and I know it will take a partnership between our school and your home. My classroom is always open to parents/guardians. I encourage you to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or concerns; together we can make a great year! Thanks in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Amy Burge

aburge@sjsd.org

435-678-1101 ext. 2315

"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Secondary Disclosure Statement

School: Albert R. Lyman Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Amy Burge

Course: 8th Grade Honors Language Arts

Secondary Disclosure Statement

Disclosure Statement

Version 2.1

Patrick McDermott

2014-08-18

Amy Burge

Secondary Lesson Plans

San Juan School District