Welcome to Open House!

Driftwood Middle School

Mrs. Brooks 8th Grade Advanced Reading

Welcome to Your Child’s Reading Class

I’m delighted YOU joined us this evening.

YOU are the most influential factor in your child’s success in school.

I am here to help ensure YOUR child’s success this year.

What’s in The Course This Year? Development and refinement reading, writing and oral skills

Comprehension and evaluation of Informational Text

Vocabulary enrichment Development of critical reading skills such

as critiquing arguments and evaluating sources

Substantiating their opinion via discussions and presentations

Providing text-based evidence while avoiding plagiarism.

Available Student Resources Textbook: Collections:

• further explore the collection topics • compare and contrast traditional texts with contemporaries• delve into more complex texts• expand students' reading of poetry• expose students to established traditional authors such as

Shakespeare, Dante, Dickens, Eliot, Austen, Dickenson, Wells, Wadsworth, Whitman

Supplemental materials: publisher’s online activities, various websites

Additional reading materials: fiction and non-fiction texts

Students MUST read independently because they need more information than they can possibly gain in class!

Required Supplies:

1 3-prong folder (plastic is more durable) to be brought to class every day

1 green ink pen

Paper and pencils

My Teaching StyleTeacher and student-led discussions

prompted by questioning (Collaborative Discussions)

Students learn to write by both group activities and individual work; I provide ongoing feedback on progress

Vocabulary activities, enrichment through writing and oral activities, individual and group projects and presentations

Student focused activities

Expectations for Homework Read and prepare at least 30 minutes each

night – whether there is homework or not!

Planning of long-term assignments is critical Work to be completed on time for full credit.

25% will be taken off for each day homework is late down to 25%. (Exceptions: students absent when assignment was given have 2 days for each day out to turn in assignment. Students present when the assignment was given, but absent when assignment is due must turn in the assignment the day they return to school.)

All homework is evaluated and recorded. Homework is directly related to topics

covered in class

Absence Policy for Homework

Access the online textbook to catch up on readingbeep.browardschools.com

Check the Missing Work Binder and Tray for distributed worksheets and missed assignments.

Check my wikispaces for weekly activitiessbrooksdriftwood.wikispaces.com

There is also an extra credit assignment here each week!

Copy notes from a classmate. (I have a copier, I will immediately copy the notes for students when requested)

Arrange make up for missed assessments. Ask questions for clarification.

What To Do After An Absence?

Official Reporting Dates

Report Cards: 11/13,1/21,4/15 and 6/24

Interims: 9/18,11/20, 2/10 and 4/30

Conferences: Call the Eighth Grade Center to make arrangements.

Phone # (754)323-3108

Ongoing Home-School Communication

Reach me: By phone754-323-3100 and leave a message. I will

return calls within 48 hours or earlier if possible. By email: sherwood.brooks@browardschools.com

To reach you, I will use Emails Phone calls Note sent home

How to help me communicateShare your home and work email

Identify the best phone contact number and send in a new number when applicable.

Monitor your child’s grades regularly in Pinnacle.

gradebook.browardschools.com/piv

Set up conferences with me, guidance counselors, or other teachers whenever you feel it’s necessary. We are here for YOU.

Be Involved Help your child learn at home (designate a

quiet study area and set time restrictions)Be a team player and offer to help with review. Encourage your child to use the online review

activities as an extension of the classroom learning.

Seek assistance from me or the guidance counselor when your child is having difficulty

Show interest in your child’s successes and offer encouragement in times of failure

Thanks and Keep Involved Research shows that when all 3 partners

(teachers, students, and parents) make a commitment to teaching and learning, student success is sure to follow.

As one-third of the partnership, I will do my part to make this a successful year for your child.

Stay involved and committed to your child’s education.

Thank you for coming this evening.