Welcome to Ms OConnors Grade 7 English Class

Welcome! to Ms. O’Connor’s Grade 7 English Class 12/22/2021

Agenda/Topics to Be Covered } } 12/22/2021 Volunteer Sign Up Journals Important Dates Grading & Reporting Introduction

Volunteer Sign Up } Please see one of the composition journals Possible jobs: } 1. Photocopying } 2. Filing } 3. In-Class Writing Coach (training will be provided) } 4. Guest reader (live or audio-taped) } 5. Treat Donator 12/22/2021

Important Dates } Outdoor Education } Conferences: } Outdoor Education Field Trip: } Aquarium Field Trip: 12/22/2021

Grading & Reporting 12/22/2021

Grading “Goals”: } For the entire marking period: 10 – 13 Formative Assessments } For the entire marking period: 3 – 4 Summative Assessments. *As a result, each assessment will become about 5% of the overall grade. 12/22/2021

Homework/Class Work Completion } Homework/Class work for completion is 10% of the students’ overall grade. } If these assignments are at least attempted, full credit will be awarded. } For example, if a homework assignment has 5 questions and the student has answered all 5 questions, the student still will earn 5 points. This is true even if errors exist. } Note: If a student does not make a good faith effort, his/her grade can be lowered. 12/22/2021

Formative versus Summative Assessments } Both are “Checks for Understanding” } Formative Assessments can be retaken. } If a Formative Assessment is retaken, the reassessment grade is the final grade, even if the reassessment grade is lower than the initial grade. } Why? Because we are measuring mastery. } Summative Assessments cannot be retaken. } This type of assessment is at the end of a learning sequence. A Summative Assessment will not be given unless a Formative Assessment has been already taken. 12/22/2021

Formative Assessment Retakes? } 1. Must come in for extra help. } 2. Must schedule a time for the retake. } 3. The assessment can be retaken until the learning sequence is over. *Most often, this will be before the Summative Assessment on that topic. 12/22/2021

50% is the … } lowest a student can earn on any given assessment For example: If a student gets 3 correct answers out of 10 questions, he/she will earn a 50%. } lowest a student can earn on an assignment-as long as it is turned in by the deadline. 12/22/2021

What constitutes a zero? } A zero will be earned if an assignment is not turned in. } A zero will be earned if a student cheats or attempts to cheat. 12/22/2021

Due Dates & Deadlines } A due date is the day when the assignment “should” be turned in. The assignment can potentially earn FULL CREDIT. } A deadline is the last day the assignment will be collected for credit. Note: the highest a student can earn if turning the assignment in on the deadline is 90%. } Sometimes the due date & the deadline can be the same day. } Generally speaking, the deadline is a day or two later than the due date. 12/22/2021

Classroom Behavior } Respect self. } Respect others. } Respect learning. } Respect property. 12/22/2021

Extra Credit & Learning Behaviors } No extra credit will be given or accepted. } This is a Countywide Policy. } The county is focusing on the mastery of curriculum. } “Middle School Comments” will report on learning behaviors and skills at Interims. } See in class participation rubric 12/22/2021

Meet Ms. O’Connor } Masters in Education } Plus 30 Graduate Credits in “Integrating Technology into the Curriculum” } Natural Science Degree, K – 8 Education Certification } This month, I will begin my 19 th year of teaching. Over the years, I have taught various positions. As a matter in fact, I have experience teaching every grade level ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade. } 12/22/2021 Right now, I am a graduate student in UMUC. I am obtaining a second Masters in Instructional Technology.

Mission for my students } I want my students to set goals and to develop responsibility for their own learning. } I believe that it is important for middle schoolers to have the opportunity to explore individual areas of interest. } I also encourage children to develop an appreciation for diversity. } My hope is that my students will appreciate that the application of knowledge is very powerful. } I design my lessons to enrich my students reading, writing, and thinking skills. } In addition, I hope their souls will be nourished by our kind and respectful classroom community. 12/22/2021

Check out Edline for: } } 12/22/2021 For upcoming assignments For reminders To see your child’s grades and progress NOTE: You should have received your Edline Account in the mail. Your child received his/her account today. It is taped into his/her planner.

Data Sheet } The top table gives a range for the Lexile score. } Publishers usually write text books at a particular lexile level. Looking at the table you could say, most sixth grade texts are written at the 850 -1050 lexile level. } Seventh grade texts are usually at the 950 -1075 level. And 8 th grade texts are written on the 10001100 level. If a student is in 7 th grade and his lexile range is 975 -1025, he is capable of reading 7 th grade texts and understanding it. If a 7 th grader's lexile range is 650 -800, he's probably going to struggle with his 7 th grade texts. } The bottom charts shows median (middle) scores and mean (average) scores for Fall and Spring administrations of the MAP-R. These are national norms. 12/22/2021

Thank you for coming! } I am so excited for an awesome year of learning! } Thank you for supporting your child and his/her education. } Take a Course Syllabus and/or an Expectation letter on the way to your next class. } Questions or comments: Please leave me an index card, call me or email me at your earliest convenience. 12/22/2021