Transcript open house - Greensburg Salem School District

Greensburg Salem Middle School
2013-2014 OPEN HOUSE
Miss Liz Zeglin
Language Arts
7th Grade
House A
Room 261
Welcome Parents!




Thank you for coming!
Thank you to all parents who
completed the parent contact
information the first week.
To set up a team conference, please
contact the guidance office.
Please look for your child’s biopoem
t-shirt on the bulletin board.
About Me





From Greensburg
Graduate of Edinboro University of PA
Master’s degree from Seton Hill University
Certified to teach art, social studies, and
English in PA
Taught in Bangladesh and Egypt/subbed at
various school districts
7th full year at GSMS
Curriculum Goals






Improve reading, writing, speaking, and
listening skills in language arts according to
PA state standards.
Use Holt Elements of Literature textbook
series as a skills-based approach to
language arts.
Prepare students for Reading PSSAs.
Foster a life-long love of reading.
Study spelling through student writing
Study grammar and usage to improve
writing.
Class Information




Students will be evaluated through in-class
writing, projects, quizzes, exams,
Accelerated Reader, and cooperative
learning activities.
Progress notices can be checked online. If
you would like to request a paper grade
report, I will send one with your child.
Regular homework will not be given.
However, if your student is absent or tardy,
he or she will be responsible for the missed
assignments.
Students should still study for exams and
read at home on a regular basis.
Language Arts Curriculum
September: Review grammar, the elements of
prose, conflict, short story: “Amigo Brothers”
October: Non-fiction unit/Research project
November: Short story unit (suspense,
foreshadowing, plot structure)
December: Short story unit (theme, point of view)
January: Poetry unit (analyzing poems, figurative
language)
February: Persuasive unit: (evidence, propaganda)
March: Text structures (non-fiction)
April: Drama (author’s purpose)
May: Novel unit (science fiction)
June: Short stories
Textbook Distribution
*Students will not get a hardcopy of the textbook.
No specific homework is assigned. Each enrichment
teacher has been given copies of our textbook so
students can catch up on make-up or late work.
However, your student is free to check out a textbook at
any point in the year.
*Online textbook instructions will be given in class and
will be posted on my website when students are
entered.
*All projects are completed in class.
Holt Rinehart Winston
Elements of Literature
First Course
http://go.hrw.com/gopages/index.ht
ml
*To use the online textbook:
USERNAME: gs+”student ID #)
PASSWORD: student ID #
Students can reread stories, listen to
stories, and much more on the
online book.
Accelerated Reader Program
*Our AR program encourages students to
read books that that choose. After selecting
a book in the library, students read it, and
then can take a quiz on their book. Each
quarter, students need to earn ten AR
points.
*Students have reading time every
Tuesday and Thursday during enrichment.
*Students are encouraged to read at home.
Class Rules
1. Raise your hand and wait to be recognized before
speaking.
2. Sit and remain in your assigned seat unless you have
permission to move.
3. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
4. Use appropriate language at all times.
5. Be respectful to all.
Rewards
1. Positive notes home
2. Educational games
3. Bonus points
4. Raffle ticket for a small prize
5. Stickers, pencils, gum, school
supplies
6. Award certificates
7. The joy of learning and academic
success
Consequences
1st offense: Non-verbal warning
2nd offense: Verbal warning
3rd offense: Processing sheet
4th offense: Parent contact by note,
phone, or email
5th offense: Three processing
sheets- office referral/parent
conference.
Contact Information



*Email: [email protected]
*Note: Send with child
Phone: 724-832-2930
*My planning period is 8:30 to 9:30. If I get a
phone message, I return it the following day.
Please check my GSMS website for additional
information and handouts:
http://greensburg.pa.schoolwebpages.com/education/s
taff/staff.php?sectiondetailid=630

Questions?
Donations
*We are always accepting donations of used young adult books and
magazines.
*If you have any old pens or pencils, I will gladly accept them for student use.
*Hand sanitizer donations would also be appreciated!
*Some parents donated subscriptions of Sports Illustrated for Kids but those
are running out soon. However, we do get 30 magazines a month from
Donor’s Choose as part of a grant.
Thank you!
Donor’s Choose
*To continue to build our classroom library and technology, I
often create projects on Donor’s Choose. At times, I might
send home a letter if there is a code that can be used to help
our class. Any support you can give is appreciated!
*IF we are funded, I will send a parent photo form. If you sign,
your student will be in a picture that will be on the DC website.
Also, in the past, we have been in the newsletter and
newspaper. No photos will be used without permission.