8th Grade Pre-Advanced Placement English

Mrs. Lauren Smith, Room 209

When you enroll in my course you are making a personal pledge to expand your abilities as a reader, writer, philosopher, researcher,

analyst, listener, speaker, problem-solver, critical thinker, and teammate throughout this course.

“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.” - Mark Van Doren

Welcome!

I expect my students to be prepared to work and learn each day, to be on time to class each day, and participate each day.

I put forth 100% into my teaching each day – and I expect the same 100% back from students with their work and participation.

These slides will inform you on my classroom procedures, how you will be graded, attendance/tardy policies, and materials required each day.

Who is Mrs. Lauren Smith?

My name is Lauren Smith, and I attended Midwestern State University for my Bachelor’s degree. I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree In Curriculum and Instruction at University of Texas at Arlington. I am beginning my 12th year of teacher, and my 2nd year at CMS. This year I am also a VALOR 5.3 participant; so I will be working with other teachers across the district to strengthen my craft. Colt PRIDE!

You will learn…

How to read, discuss, and analyze diverse texts more effectively and critically.

How to use the English language more effectively when you communicate in oral, digital, and written mediums.

How to write more effectively for various purposes and audiences

How to improve your grammatical and mechanical writing skills when communicating.

A few things you will accomplish:

In-Depth Novel Studies: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Night by Elie Wiesel

English Classroom Curriculum: SpringBoard by College Curriculum (Level 3) Additional diverse, complex text from teacher-selected

sources

Assessments: 2 Embedded SpringBoard Assessments per Unit Timed Writing Essays (1 or 2 per semester) Open Ended Response (Short Answer Response) Common Semester Exams

What is Pre-AP English?

Pre-AP English courses are on-grade level academically advanced courses designed to challenge students. The class requires students to engage in independent and analytical assignments, and to complete some work outside of class (e.g., typically outside work will consist of reading selections).

What is Pre-AP English?

The curriculum for this class was built on the core academic curriculum following the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) expectations. Pre-AP middle school courses are designed to prepare students for high school Pre-AP and Advance Placement (AP) courses.

In GCISD all secondary English classrooms use the SpringBoard by Collegeboard curriculum

What you will need in class:

Please make sure that you have these things with you in class every day!1. Pen or Pencil 2. Reading Journal 3. Computer (either your own or one from the

cart; once the Chromebooks are gone we will not be able to obtain more. Bringing your device is HIGHLY encouraged.)

4. Homework (e.g., typically assigned reading materials given either in class or online)

Classroom Norms:

I have the right to teach. You have the right to get an

exceptional education No one has the right to interfere with

the learning of others. We treat everyone with respect. Ask questions to clarify

misconceptions. Be open to new ideas

Classroom Procedures:

Respect and follow all campus and district guidelines (as outlined in your Student Handbook)

Be prepared for class (be mindful of homework & due dates – listed on my Google Calendar)

Be one time to class and prepared to learn and participate

Respect everyone & everything in our community

Attendance Policy

Make sure that you are here! However, for those days that you are unable to attend: 1. Check Google Classroom to see what you

missed in class. 2. Find the “Absent” folder next to my desk for

materials you missed during your absence3. I follow the GCISD Class Absences Policy for

due dates 4. Set-up a conference with me to discuss the

materials and lessons you missed during your absence.

Grading

You will rarely be graded on traditional test-formats in my room. Instead, I assess the majority of your comprehension, inference, summary, content knowledge, and mastery of the concepts taught in class through your writing. I grade all writing assignments using rubrics (e.g., TEA-based Rubrics, District-created Rubrics, rubrics based Robert Marzano’s teachings, and SpringBoard rubrics). Students are given copies of rubrics at the beginning of all writing assignments for them to frequently reference throughout the writing process.

Grading:

Students will have an opportunity to improve their grades on the majority of their writing assignments within one calendar week of when they received the graded original assignment. They must come see me for an individual writing conference and will be allowed to resubmit the assignment for full credit. This will not apply to SpringBoard Embedded Assessments from each Unit.

Grading:

Participation Grades (5%) – Membean Weekly Practice, Grammar Practice, Class Discussions, Socratic Seminars, etc.

Daily Work (45%) – Graphic Organizers, Annotation Notes, Summaries, Quickwrites, and SpringBoard lesson activities

Projects (50%) – Major Writing Assignments (e.g., OERs, Embedded Assessments, Timed Writings, Presentations)

What happens if my grade falls? Turn in all of your assignments on time. Ask clarifying questions in class Take Cornell Notes and collaborate with

peers (and teacher) Make sure that you complete your

homework (e.g., mostly assigned readings located either on Google Classroom or in your SpringBoard book)

Come see me during my scheduled tutorials. I am to help you; so let’s make sure you have a plan of action.

Tutorials with Mrs. Smith

My tutorials will be available everyone from 7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. I will also have some tutorial times available through Advisory (Stretch) time.

I live in Cleburne, Texas with my wonderful husband, Paul, and beautifully precocious daughters, Sydney (8) and Morgan (5); so all after school tutorials must end by 4pm and be scheduled at least a day in advance.

Discipline

I will follow the GCISD 5-Phase Plan with all students in classroom. It is important that we are not behaving in ways that disrupt others from learning.

On the flip side, though, when I notice great behavior, effort, and growth, I will send notes or phone calls home and share your accomplishments with others, too.

My Classroom Library

Library Rules I highly & enthusiastically encourage

you to check out books to read If you find one you like, please sign it

out. You are responsible for that book

while it is checked out to you. When you are finished with it, show

it to me (please not in the middle of class) and sign it back in.

GCISD 25 Book Challenge: All students will be expected to participate in

the GCISD 25 Book Challenge We will visit the library usually once a week We will have 30 dedicated minutes per week

for Independent Reading in class We will conference weekly to discuss the book

you are currently reading, and your progress toward the GCISD 25 Book Challenge

You are expected to bring a book you are reading to class every day!

Additional Information

All materials for class will be listed on Google Classroom this year for you to access.

You will be responsible for completing 40 Membean practice either at home or during Advisory (Stretch) before Friday’s weekly Membean Test (e.g., approximately 10 minutes of practice each day Monday – Thursday).

You will have grammar practice & quizzes through NoRedInk each week – this will match concepts that we discuss and practice in class

Additional Information

I will try to use Twitter more this year to tell our story about the amazing literacy growth you are making.

I will also use Remind 101 to send you text message reminders about school, class, etc. (This came in really handy during last year’s ice/snow storms)

I am always available before, during, and after school to answer questions. Please ask questions that you have; so we can clear up any misconceptions. Please remember that I am a best source to ask!

Additional Information:

We will use the following resources this year: Google Classroom Membean (Vocabulary Practice) NoRedInk.com (Grammar Practice) Learning Commons (formerly known

as the library) – as an extension of our classroom

Google Drive Various digital tools to add to our

written assignments and projects

Final Thoughts:

This is going to be an amazing year of growth-mindset, literacy development, and exploration. I am excited that you are in my class. We are going to have a fabulous year together!

Lauren SmithTwitter = @ldsmithELAR

Email = lauren.smith@gcisd.net