WELCOME TO MS. SWEISS’ ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

CLASSROOM

NORTH PALOS SCHOOL DISTRICT 117CONRADY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

DAY ONE:

Contact Information Classroom Expectations Classroom Materials Homework Policy Absent/Tardy Policy Classroom Rules and Consequences Reading Logs/IRT Common Core Composition Books and Binders Complete Reading Attitude Survey Dear Miss Sweiss Letter

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Room: 47 (Mobile Unit)

Phone Number: 708.233.4579

Email: csweiss@npd117.net

Class Website: http://www.npd117.net//Domain/309

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM MISS SWEISS Exploration of numerous genres of literature including:

Fiction [short stories and novels]NonfictionDramaPoetryFolk Literature

In-class and out-of-class projects Reading each night (400/500 Minutes Each Month) Review and Application of Word Wall Words Development of Reading Strategies Vocabulary (Word of the Week, Rev It Up, Text-Rich Vocabulary) Weekly Journals/Blogs and other writing assignments Practice Standardized Tests (in preparation of Stagg Explore Test) Grammar and Writing Common Core Standards/Units YOU WILL WORK HARD, BUT YOU WILL LEARN A LOT!

CLASSROOM MATERIALS Composition Book Binder with 5 dividers labeled:

-Reading-English-Writing-Vocabulary-Poetry

Pens and Pencils Red Pen Dry Erase Markers [Several] Highlighter Box of Kleenex Dictionary and/or Thesaurus – optional

HOMEWORK POLICY You are responsible for completing homework and turning it

on time. Homework should be neat and legible! Incomplete or Missing Homework: Homework Schedule: Everyday: Read for 20 Minutes for IRT LOGMondays: Journal/Blog Entry AssignedThursday: Journal/Blog Entry Due Quizzes, Tests, and Projects will be assigned throughout the

quarterGoogle Apps and Blogging

HOMEWORK POLICY (CONTINUED) Any projects or assignments that we begin in class and you

do not finish will be homework. After School Homework Help- I am always available before

or after school for help!

Students are responsible for completing their homework and submitting it on time. Students who do not complete their homework will serve an AM (before school 7:15 AM) Homework Detention in Miss Sweiss’ classroom.

“Failure is NOT an option!”

ABSENT AND TARDY POLICY You have 2 days to complete the

homework if you are absent.

Attendance will be recorded in each class on Power Teacher. You must be in the door and in your seat to be considered on time.

CLASSROOM RULES

RULE #1: BE POLITERULE # 2: DO YOUR WORK

RULE # 3: NO WHINING

CLASSROOM CONSEQUENCES First Offense: Verbal Warning Second Offense: Lines or Essays Third Offense: Detention Fourth Offense: Call Parents

ALL MATTERS OF DISCIPINE WILL BE RECORDED IN TEACHER DISCIPINE FOLDER.

READING LOGS

Each month you are required to read a minimum of 400/500 minutes. Of these 400/500 minutes, you must read one novel. You may choose to use up the remaining minutes reading other novels, magazines, comic books, or newspapers.

INDEPENDENT READING TIME

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays:

15 Minutes of Silent Sustained Reading Choose and Bring Your Own Books Record Book and Minutes on the

Reading Log IRT Bookmarks provided for IRT Log

COMMON CORE Illinois Assessment Framework and

Common Core State Standards: The state of Illinois will be transitioning from

the Illinois Assessment Framework to the Common Core State Standards. Therefore, the English Language Arts curriculum will reflect the changes occurring at the state and national level, as evidenced in the Common Core State Standards (http://www.corestandards.org/). There will be extensive reading, writing, and critical thinking analyses throughout the course of the academic year.

COMPOSITION BOOKS AND BINDER EACH DAY, you must bring your composition book and

binder.

Keep the Binder ORGANIZED!!

You will have Binder and Composition Book Checks and Quizzes

When you walk into class each day, you are responsible for

conducting the CB (composition book) assignment.

Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays: DOL, Word of the Week (Monday)

Tuesdays: Nonfiction Tuesday

Thursdays: Poem Day and CRISS Strategy

Everyday: Independent Reading Time

HOW TO EARN AN A IN SWEISS’ CLASS

Pay attention in class!! Complete ALL assignments on time!! Keep your binder organized!! Give 100% effort!! Ask questions!! Come prepared to class!! Review Word Wall terms each night!! READ, READ, READ, READ, READ, AND READ

EACH NIGHT!!! Show RESPECT TO TEACHER AND

CLASSMATES!