Welcome to McCulloughJunior High

Miss Megan Kelley7th Grade Language ArtsPre-AP

This is where our students are headed…

To get here, students will be challenged here in “Freshman English.” They may even struggle a bit – some for the first time – and that is OKAY! That is how they will grow and reach their full potential.

LiteratureThe Outsiders by S.E. Hinton(REQUIRED SUMMER READING)

This should have been read and annotated prior to the start of school. Students will need the book in class beginning 8/28.

Literature Textbook:

www.pearsonsuccessnet.com

Grammar Textbook: www.successnetplus.com

LiteratureStudents will also need a new or used copy of:

Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman→ Late September

The Glory Field by Walter Dean Myers

January

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare (Barron's ed. rec.) → April

In conjunction with the novels…• SAT vocabulary and word parts

Required Book:

Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary

Workshop, Level B *This workbook will be used all year. A link to the vocabulary

site is on my website. FIRST QUIZ: Sept. 11th

• Poetry, speeches, scripts, and various pieces of non-fiction• Writing Process- formal and informal • Mechanics-capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and

usage

SURF Reading Sustained Uninterrupted Reading for Fun

• Chosen by the student, approved by the parent• 500 pages each quarter• Appropriate reading level• Book will be regularly incorporated into lessons

throughout the year• Students must bring a SURF Book to class each day• Check my website for suggested reading lists.• Signed reading logs will be due at the end of each

quarter• E-Readers okay

Assessments

• Classwork and homework will focus on developing critical thinking, reading and writing skills, and study skills that will help students succeed as they continue to move through their educational careers and into the real world.

• State Testing

STAAR Writing: March 29 & March 30

STAAR Reading: May 10

CRISS Strategies• Creating Independence Through Student-owned

Strategies

• We will practice and use strategies to help in studying, organizing, and presenting. These strategies can be used throughout their learning careers and in all subject areas.

• In this class, students are expected to select a strategy to independently study assigned vocabulary words outside of class.

Extra Help

•Advisory: Students may get a pass to see me for extra help

•Tutoring: Before school everyday except for Wednesday, no pass needed

•PAWS: Tuesday – Thursday until 4:45 in the library

Electronics PolicyAll electronics

Cell/smart phones, e-readers, ipods, etc... must be turned OFF, not just silenced, between 8:50 and 3:50.

***You’d be surprised how many times a student thinks he or she has silenced the phone and alerts and text notifications come through during class. Situations such as these still require the phone to be turned in to the office and a referral.

Possible class activities utilizing smartphones

-Must have parent permission.

-Students will be in small groups so all can participate.

-If a student takes advantage, he/she will receive the standard consequence (referral, device sent to office)

GradesSchool policy is as follows...• Major grades 60% • Daily grades (including homework) 20% • Quizzes 20%• The Language Arts Dept. does NOT offer a re-test policy.

Late Work• Major Grade Projects -10 points per day, includes days absent• Quiz grades-no credit• Daily grades – late work is not accepted, including homework• It's the student's responsibility to check the Absent Binder and ask for help

to get caught up after an absence.• No locker passes for forgotten work.• Check your child’s planner and the class website for the most up-to-date

information about homework.• Extra credit will NOT be offered.

Contacting Miss Kelley• Conference:

Please contact the Counseling Center if you wish to schedule a parent teacher conference.

-Red Days: 2:30 – 3:30

-Green Days: 9:00 – 10:00

• Email: makelley@conroeisd.net

• Website: http://mccullough.conroeisd.net/Teachers/makelley

Parent Access Center1. http://www.conroeisd.net2. Under Parent/Student, click on account registration

Stay Informed!!Grades

ScheduleAttendance

Lunch MoneySTAAR scoresBus schedule

And much more!

Student tips for a successful year

• Get a good night's sleep• Eat breakfast• Listen in class• Follow directions• Ask questions• Write in planner• Study on a regular basis• Turn in assignments on time

Thanks for comingParent-Teacher communication is very important for student

success.

I want to see your kids succeed!