Lundahl Middle School Parent Night Fall 2013 Language

Lundahl Middle School Parent Night Fall 2013 Language Arts and Social Studies

General Information l Lundahl Middle School l l 815. 459. 5971 Dhorne@d 47. org Contact times My contact information: l l l 7: 25 – 7: 35 9: 55 – 12: 00 2: 15 – 3: 00 Access through school’s webpage. My webpage l l l l http: //www. d 47. org/lms http: //home. d 47. org/dhorne/ Access directly. Contact me via email or phone—avoid contact through website! Contract Binder Homework folder Assignment book

Grades § Language arts: § Homework = 10% § Classwork = 5% § Assessments = 70% § Reading § Writing § Grammar § Spelling § Minutes = 15% § Social studies § Homework = 20% § Classwork = 5% § Assessments = 75%

Traits Writing curriculum. The instructional model is based on the seven qualities, or traits, of good writing.

Ideas = piece’s content. Presentation = physical appearance of the piece. Conventions = mechanical correctness of the piece. Organization = internal structure of piece. Good Writing Sentence Fluency = the way words and phrases flow through piece. Word Choice = specific vocabulary the writers uses. Voice = tone of the piece.

Traits Writing curriculum. The instructional model is based on the seven qualities, or traits, of good writing. Students will learn how to apply the traits to create strong pieces of writing for many purposes and audiences. Teacher directed topics and student directed topics Modes of writing will be narrative, expository, and persuasive. Grammar instruction is embedded into the writing curriculum. Workshop = most writing work completed in class.

Spelling Words Their Way § Teaches students how words work. § It’s a developmentally-driven approach— students’ word lists are based on where they are now as spellers. § Provides an integrated way to teach phonics, vocabulary and spelling to improve literacy skills. § It’s based on the way children learn naturally—by comparing and contrasting word features and discovering patterns and consistencies. § All students will be able to experience progress as they become better spellers, readers and writers.

• The teaching and application of the six metacognitive strategies successful readers utilize.

§ § § A C T I V E → → → Ask (asking questions) Connect (making connections) Track (tracking information) Infer (making inferences) Visualize (visualizing) Eureka! (synthesizing)

• The teaching and application of the six metacognitive strategies successful readers utilize. • Reading instruction and practice will occur through… • the student‘s exposure to different genres of literature. • • Shared reading. Book clubs. Guided reading groups. Independent reading. • social studies text. • Goals: • Continue to develop the reading abilities of each student so he/she can read and make meaning of a variety of text. • Interpret text at deeper levels. • Acquire and apply strategies to attack challenging text.

Independent Reading § Student choice. § Interest-based. § Fiction or non-fiction. § A new read. § At independent reading level. § 200 minutes/week for 1 st trimester. § Majority completed out of class. § Individual independent reading minutes goal set at the beginning of 2 nd semester and 3 rd semester. § Assessment § Weekly and varies. § Teacher – student conference. § Written weekly response § Record of reading. § Books read sheet. § Reading log.

Social Studies Components n History n Geography n Economics n Social systems n Governments n Current events

Curriculum n n Survey class. Curriculum topics: n n n n n Constitution Western Frontier Immigration WW I Jazz Age/1920’s Depression WWII & Holocaust Cold War & Communism Civil Rights Contemporary American Society n 1950’s – present day

Thank you for coming to Parent Night 2013 Your child + Your family + The Lundahl team + A positive attitude + A sincere effort + Open communication A successful 2013 -2014 School Year!