Friday, August 29, 2008

Welcome 8th Grade Students and Parents!


Welcome 8th Grade Students and Parents!!!

I am very happy to be a part of this wonderful community, and I am really looking forward to getting to know all of you this year. I love living in Jackson Hole and the Tetons, and I am excited for another great school year!!!

This is my second year at JHMS. I moved to Jackson in 2007 from Boulder, CO., where I did my Master’s Degree in Secondary English Education at The University of Colorado. My Bachelor’s Degree is in English and Psychology from The University of Iowa. I have been teaching since 2000, and I have worked at the pre-school, middle school, high school, and university levels in Colorado, Wyoming, and abroad at an American School in La Paz, Bolivia.


I am bilingual (English/Spanish), and have spent several years living in South America – Venezuela and Bolivia. I have traveled and lived extensively around the world including Central and South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, West Africa, and Australia. My passions include: snowboarding, hiking, running, dancing, yoga, drumming, reading and writing, and traveling.


This blog will be a space for parents to stay connected to what we are doing in class, reading, writing, and homework schedules, as well as literature circle activities and ongoing projects.

You are all welcome to email me with any questions, etc. at any time. You can contact me at: jflammang@teton1.wy.k12.us. You can also reach me at 307-733-4234 ext. 3102.

Please utilize the classroom blog to stay updated on assignments, homework, projects, and deadlines: http://language-link.blogspot.com/
Looking forward to a great school year!!!

Jessica Flammang

CLASSROOM POLICIES
This form will be handed out on the first day and must be returned by Friday, September 5 with student and parent signatures.

1)Follow all JHMS policies, guidelines, and expectations.

2)Come to class on time and prepared each day with necessary materials including: texts, binder, notebook, journal, pen/pencil, JHMS agenda, and any other necessary materials for the current project or assignment.

3)When the bell rings, you are in your seat with your materials out and ready to go.

4)No food or soda. Water is allowed. Bottles must be recycled.

5)Clean up after yourself after each class session. Recycle all paper and bottles.

6)When you use classroom items, return them to where they are kept when you are finished.

7)Utilize the classroom blog regularly: http://language-link.blogspot.com.

8)Be responsible – come prepared and ready to stay. Leaving class requires a pass.

9)Be respectful – raise your hand, listen and respond thoughtfully to others and respect their opinions. Behave and speak respectfully toward all substitutes, classroom guests, staff, administrators, observers, and project facilitators. Have a good attitude!

10)Be safe – behave with others’ welfare in mind. Conduct yourself appropriately.

11)Produce your best work.

12) When you are absent, it is your responsibility to get and complete all missing work.

13)Attend homework help sessions if you are receiving a failing grade.

14)Inappropriate behavior and speech will not be tolerated.

15)Be an active member of the classroom community! Share, contribute, cooperate, and participate.


Student Signature:________________________________________ Date:__________


Parent/Guardian Signature:_________________________________ Date:__________


WEEK ONE AGENDA:

MONDAY - NO SCHOOL - LABOR DAY


TUESDAY:

1) Welcome to 8th Grade Language Arts! Room tour, evacuation procedures, classroom rules, materials needed

2) Media Center Visit for id's and passwords

WEDNESDAY:


1) CEF and materials reminder

2) WNB Rubrics model and overview

3) Bring 3 prompts for Writer's Notebooks for Friday

THURSDAY:

1) Personal Questions Powerpoint

2) Blog Tour and Scavenger Hunt

FRIDAY:

*Student and parent surveys due
*Classroom Policies due
*3 prompts due


1) More on WNBs -- Read "What is a Writer's NB, Anyway?"

2) WNB #1: "One thing I wish my parents/teachers knew about me..." and share

3) Blog Hunt results...

Writer's Notebooks

Writer's Notebooks

We will be keeping Writer's Notebooks in 8th Grade this year, which we will refer to as WNB's. These will be used for in-class writing, responses to literature, and vocabulary. Each student should buy a composition book for this purpose. Students are expected to have this notebook ready by the end of the first week, and bring it to class every day. Below you will find a description of WNB's. All students will receive a grading rubric for this ongoing project during the first week of class, and should paste it into their class binders for year-long reference.

These notebooks are intended to be a place for you to collect and draw inspiration from. They are highly personal, and each outcome will be different than the next. They will be used for pre-writing, in-class writing prompts, and vocabulary. Writer’s Notebooks will be collected regularly. Be creative and show who you are!!!!

SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE EACH GRADING PERIOD:
Is my notebook unique? Does it reflect my personality? Did I experiment with different writing styles and include a variety of artifacts? Do I have all the required entries? Are all my entries complete? Is my notebook presented clearly and creatively?

WNB's will be graded according to the following aspects, which are based on the Six Traits for writing. Student grading rubrics will break this down in detail.

* Ideas and Organization
* Effort and Presentation
* Style and Application
* Voice and Individuality

Grading:

A: All entries are present. Entries are complete, legible and thoughtful.

B: Most entries are present. Entries are complete, legible and thoughtful.

C: Several entries are missing or incomplete. Some entries are illegible or not well thought out.

D or below: Half or more entries are missing or incomplete.

1st Quarter WNB Prompts:

WNB #1: One thing I wish my parents/teachers knew or understood about me is...

WNB #2: Pre-writing/drafting for Name Jerseys.


WNB #3: I lost...

WNB #4: Draw a tree, and on each leaf and/or each branch, write a word or phrase that reflects your personality.


WNB #5:

WNB #6:

WNB #7:

WNB #8: