|
Welcome to Reading!
Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year at Deer Creek! Whether you are new to our school or are a seasoned veteran, I encourage you to embrace the many unique (and FUN!!! J) learning opportunities I have in store. Always remember, effort in class activities, as well as a positive attitude, will greatly contribute to your success in my room.
Expectations
First thing’s first—the rules. It is expected that you treat each person in this class with the utmost respect. I will not, under any circumstance, tolerate negativity toward anyone in my room, myself included. Second, my classroom is a learning environment. “Learning” is key. If you choose to disrupt anyone from learning, there will be consequences.
Classroom Rules
· Follow directions the first time I give them.
· Complete all assignments on time and to your best ability.
· Bring all materials to class.
· Raise your hand and wait to be called on when you have something to say.
· Be on time, in your seat, and prepared for the first activity of the day.
· Keep your hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
Grading
Your grade will consist of the following components:
ZONE 25% (ZONE reading and weekly ZONE reflections)
Book Club 40% (reading logs, vocabulary, assignments, discussion)
Projects/Final Assessments 35% (monthly published ZONE reflections, culminating projects/writing/book reviews, book talks)
Materials
You are required to have a pencil/pen, your ZONE reflection notebook, and your language arts expandable file at ALL times.
**Your file should be organized by labeling your tab dividers as follows:
Book Club
ZONE (Include your ZONE Notebook in this section!)
Projects
All novels, as well as the occasional textbook, will be stored in the classroom and may be checked out as needed. In addition, you will need to bring a novel for ZONE reading on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Assignments
I prefer PENCIL to be used on all assignments handed in to me. If you MUST use pen, be neat about it. I do not accept scribbled out, sloppy work. Find a way to erase (White Out correction TAPE works well) or simply USE PENCIL.
Book Club
As you probably noted above, 40% of your grade is based on an activity called Book Club. Don’t worry; Book Club is not a “club” that you must attend outside school; rather, it is a method of instruction used to promote thoughtful, meaningful, and REAL literary discussions about books. Book Club typically includes: an opening read aloud and/or warm up, a whole group lesson, reading, writing, discussion, and a closing activity. All of your Book Club materials should be stored in your expandable file so they never get misplaced or lost. Assignments will usually be collected bi-weekly in “collections.” You will always find a running tally of the assignments in each collection on the board.
ZONE Reading
Get in the ZONE! We will have 20 minutes of independent, free choice ZONE reading twice per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the beginning of class. Please check the wall outside my classroom door for the word ZONE. If you see it, come to class PREPARED with a book of your choice. You will receive 5 points per ZONE reading day for bringing a book to read and reading quietly for the allotted time period.
ZONE Reflection Notebooks
You are required to have a ZONE reflection notebook. In this notebook, you will be asked to compose one (1 page) reflection per week, each based on a book you are independently reading. A homework check will be assessed each Friday to make sure you have completed your weekly reflection. At the end of each month, you will choose one of your best ZONE reflections to publish for a project grade. Publishing a piece of writing means that you have edited it for spelling, punctuation, and/or grammatical errors, revised it by adding to and/or changing it as necessary, and typed it. We will talk about these requirements and review the components of a good ZONE reflection this week.
Collection dates for published ZONE reflections are as follows:
September 30
October 21
November 22
December 22
January 27
February 23
March 23
April 27
May 25
Late/Incomplete Work
It is your responsibility to turn in your work and turn it in on time. In the case of your absence, all handouts, worksheets, etc. can be found in the blue READING binder located on the counter under the green 8th Grade Biz board. Here, you can locate the date/dates you missed class and pick up any handouts, as well as see what was handed in, what in-class work you missed, and what homework/activities you have yet to complete. All late work should be handed in the late bins on my desk. If your work should be excused, make sure to let me know why I should excuse it (absent, sick, etc.) on the top of your paper, and hand it in the appropriate bin on my desk
Classroom Novels and Book Check Out
You are more than welcome to check out my personal novels. When you find a book you’d like to check out, find your check out card in the black box located in the back of the room on the far-right bookcase. Fill out the book’s title, book number (if there is one), and the date you checked the book out. Then re-file your card. When you are ready to return your book, find your card in the card file, list the date you are returning it, place the card inside the book, and put it in the Book Return bin located on the short brown bookshelf behind the couch. DO NOT RESHELVE THE BOOK. I will cross off the book title, initial your card, and re-shelve the book. Remember, I hold you accountable for the books you check out. If you lose or ruin a book, you will be fined (and you can’t go through Promotion until you have paid your fines!) If you neglect to return your book properly, you are responsible for it until it is checked in the right way. Please take good care of my books so that everyone can enjoy them!
Bean Bags, Couches, and Chairs! Oh My!
The use of these items is a PRIVILEDGE and will reserved for THOSE WHO ASK POLITELY during silent reading, group work time, or individual work time ONLY. If you are caught abusing this privilege for any reason, these items will be off limits to you until I have decided otherwise.
I hope this handout sheds some light on the various expectations I have for you this year. If you have any further concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to see me. Please keep this information for future reference.
I look forward to seeing each of you reach and exceed your potential!
Sincerely,
Michelle De Wane
| 
