Coulombe’s Corner

McClure Middle School

Language Arts – 2009-2010 School Year

Mrs. Coulombe

Email: susan.coulombe@cobbk12.org (preferred)

Blog Address: http://cobblearning.net/scoulombe

 

I am looking forward to an exciting and productive year for all of us.  Remember, the success of the class depends on each and every one of us.  I look forward to exploring our literacy together, sharing good books, and creating a community of readers and writers.

Course Content – First Quarter

Eighth grade students will focus on narrative and expository writing in the first quarter through daily and weekly writing assignments with attention to original ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation.  Exposure to quality literature in novels, non-fiction, short stories, and poems will help students to emerge as stronger readers and writers.  We will be reading 2-3 class novels this first term, and students will choose a non-fiction book to read outside of class.  Vocabulary through reading, spelling strategies, reading strategies, and grammar will be taught within the context of each unit.  Reading and writing at home will support student’s work in class.

 

McClure School-wide Goal for the Year

To improve reading and writing skills across the curriculum

 

Method of Instruction

Class begins daily with a read-aloud, quick-write, and daily grammar practice (DGP).  From there we will move into Reading and Writing workshop, with mini-lessons, small group instruction, individual and group projects, and conferencing.  Essential questions to guide our units will help to focus our studies.

 

What you can expect of me:

            I am open to new ideas and suggestions.

            I am available before and after school for help or make-up work. Please arrange a

             time in advance.

            I will confer with you one-on-one at least one time per week.

 

What I expect of you:

            You should arrive on time and take your seat.  You are required to participate in class discussion, raise your hand, and always respect the opinion of others. Work should be handed in on time. Keeping your Agenda up to date is a must. Homework will be listed on my blog daily, along with long term projects and upcoming quizzes and tests.  Homework should be approximately one-half hour nightly.  I do expect you to read daily at home, too. No late homework will be accepted.  Projects handed in one day late will receive a grade reduction of 20%.  After one day, the grade will be a zero.

            If you are absent, be sure to check the blog from your home, and the make-up folder when you return.  Work should be made up in a timely manner. If you are absent one day, then you have one day to make up the assignment, and so forth.

            Class preparation: In order to be the most successful, I recommend the following:

• 3 ring binder (white) with dividers for the sections listed below:
  • Literature
  • Vocabulary/ Spelling
  • Mini-lessons
  • Grammar
• Journal
• Novels*- Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

-         The Giver by Lois Lowry

-         The Wave by Todd Strasser

• Agenda
• Markers or colored pencils/scissors/glue stick
• Writing Folder –I will provide these and they will remain in class
• Blue or black pen only!/pencil/eraser

*I have  some copies of the books, but you may want to purchase your own copy so that you may write in it.                     

Grading:

            Rubrics will be given for all major assignments.  Grades are calculated based on

             the following Standards:

            Reading                                                                      28%

            Writing                                                                        28%

            Conventions                                                               28%

            Listening/Viewing/Speaking                          16%

Grading will be a reflection of you as a student of language, literature, writing, and presentation.  Specific requirements will be reviewed at the beginning of each assignment.  In all assignments I will be looking for your effort, initiative, your growth as a learner, completion of the work on time, your organization, your use of language in your writing, your revision and editing strategies.  Especially in reading, I will expect you to become aware of your own reading strategies and expand your comprehension.

 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Coulombe, Mrs. Romano

 

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