You will not only become a better reader, but also a better writer and all-around student.
Poetry Slam
One day a month will be designated as poetry day in language arts. For poetry day, you will need to have a poem typed or neatly handwritten and illustrated on computer paper or construction paper. You will share the poem and your illustration with the class. The first few months you can read the poem from your paper, but eventually you will need to memorize it. You will keep all of your poems in your portfolio. At the end of the year you will compile your poems into a poetry book.
Grading
As your tour guide and teacher, I want to provide you with the most accurate picture of your academic performance to show where you are at currently with various skills in regards to the standards given by the district. In language arts, you will be graded according to the district’s standards. You will be given a checklist of things you should have in an essay, otherwise known as a rubric. Sometimes you will be graded using a letter grade instead of a percent. Our grade book automatically configures the percentage points for an A, B, C, D, or F. Therefore, letter grades mean the following:
A = Exceeds the grade level standard B = Meets the grade level standard C = Nearing the grade level standard D/F = Below the grade level standard
Portfolio
Throughout the year you will build a portfolio to demonstrate your writing and reading abilities. In the portfolio you will keep journal entries, pieces of your writing, poetry, reading assessments, and other quality pieces of your work. During conferences, you will use your portfolio to show your family what you have learned and what goals you are working towards.
Power School
I will be collecting homework and giving descriptive feedback to you so that I can assess where you are at throughout the year. The homework may not always be figured into your final grade. However, it will be telling if you do not do well on an assessment or final project due to not completing homework. You may earn the following for daily work completed in class as well as homework in PowerSchool: Green Checkmark = The assignment was completed with quality and turned in on-time Yellow Circle with a ‘M’ = The assignment was missing when collected Red Circle with a ‘L’ = The assignment was turned in late Gray ‘Ex’ = The student was not responsible for completing the assignment Blue Box with a ‘C’ = The teacher left a comment regarding the assignment