English 8Centennial Middle School

Mrs. FergusonWelcome!

Please feel free to pick up a copy of tonight’s presentation, book order information, and a copy of the

classroom calendar from the bookshelf. Please sign in.

Contact Information

Mrs. FergusonRoom 227ext. 3259

fergusons@slcs.us

Conference Period: First Hour

Class Website

For all the latest information from room 227 visit:

www.mrsfergusonatcms.weebly.com

Site will be updated each week as part of Website Wednesday.

Reading

• Assorted short stories and poems from The Language of Literature

• Independent Reading• One hour a week required• Reading Flip Cards

• Novels• The Glory Field• The Outsiders• The Giver• Unsung Heroes• Love That Dog• Literature Circle selections

Writing

• 6 Trait Writing Process • Common Core State Standards• Writer’s Notebook• Writer’s Workshop

Classwork

• Skyward updated regularly• * vs. 0 and “Missing”• Check in assignments = “V”

• Paper Pass Back Day• Once per week

• Organization and Accountability• CAB – Classroom Activity Binders – will always remain in the classroom• TAB – Traveling Activity Binders – will travel with students• No Name Board• While You Were Out Bin• Class Calendar• Late Work

Scholastic

• Classroom Access Code: H7C24

• Storia - eBooks now offered by Scholastic• More information at: scholastic.com/storia-clubs

• Next Due Date: September 27, 2013

A Sample of What Your Child Will Be Working on in 8th Grade

• Citing the evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what is explicitly stated and/or implied from a book, article, poem, or play

• Analyzing where materials on the same topic disagree on matters of fact, interpretation, or point of view

• Learning how authors support their ideas through word choice, sentence and paragraph structure, and other methods

• Building writing around strong central ideas or points of view; supporting the ideas with sound reasoning and evidence, precise word choices, smooth transitions, and different sentence structures

• Planning and conducting research projects that include several steps and use many credible and documented print and digital sources

• Analyzing the purpose of information presented in diverse

media (e.g., print, TV, web) and evaluating its social, political, or commercial motives

• Presenting findings and claims to others, emphasizing key points with relevant evidence and sound reasoning, adapting speech to the audience and the formality of the setting, and responding to questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas

• Using strong, active verbs to create a clear picture for the reader (e.g., walk, skip, meander, lurch, limp)

• Interpreting figures of speech (e.g., irony, puns) and developing a large vocabulary of general academic words and phrases

• Source: • http://www.pta.org/files/8th%20Grade_B-W.pdf

Grades 6-8Identify & Research a Topic

Concept/Skill Lesson TitleDetermine Purpose & Identify a Research Question Understand a Writing Prompt

Identify Audience & MediumIdentify a TopicGenerate a Research Question

Activate Prior Knowledge Activate, Organize, & Review Prior KnowledgeIdentify Gaps in Knowledge

Find & Evaluate Sources Select a Search EnginePerform Key Word SearchesAnalyze Search ResultsSelect Sources: Evaluate Websites – How & Why

Evaluate Websites: Organization & Accessibility

Evaluate Websites: Authority and PurposeEvaluate Websites: Accuracy and Currency

Determine Relevance of Source to Topic/Research

Generate & Evaluate Data Gather/Generate DataEvaluate Relevance of & Analyze Data

Develop An Informed ViewConcept/Skill Lesson TitleProcess, Sift & Sort Process, Sift & SortAnalyze Info to Generate a Claim or Central Idea Develop a Claim

Develop a Central IdeaSynthesize & Organize to Draft a Product Text Structures

Draft Argument Body ParagraphsDraft Informational Body Paragraphs

Create a Product to Inform an AudienceConcept/Skill Lesson TitleReflect & Revise Reflect & RevisePublish & Self-Assess Finalize & Publish the Product

Reflect on the Process (Self-Assessment)

GradeBand

CurrentLexile Band

"Stretch"Lexile Band*

 K–1  N/A N/A 2–3  450L–725L 420L–820L 4–5  645L–845L 740L–1010L 6–8 860L–1010L 925L–1185L9-10 960L–1115L 1050L–1335L

11–CCR  1070L–1220L 1185L–1385L

Former lexile levels (a scale of reading ability) for Grade 8 began at 750L and ranged through 1040L

Common Core Shift in Lexile Levels

Common Core Resources

• Helpful links to Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts:

• http://www.corestandards.org/assets/CCSSI_ELA%20Standards.pdf

• http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RL/8• http://www.pta.org/files/8th%20Grade_B-W.pdf• http://www.lexile.com/about-lexile/grade-equivalent/

Curriculum Map

• If you would like a copy of the English 8 Curriculum Map, please e-mail me and I will send one home with your child.