http://thereadinghelper.com

Re-test Policy

 In my grading system it is almost impossible to fail. Students can retake any test/assessment up to a week before the closing of my grade book (prior to Interims and Report cards) and receive up to a C or an 80% no matter how many times they test over the material. My goal is that they acquire the skill. It will not be the same test each time, as I want to prevent students from simply memorizing the answers. If you have questions about this policy please call or email me at Fifer.

Extra credit  work for points ( is no longer allowed by school policy), but it will give students extra practice at home that may assist them in achieving success in the skills at appropriate grade level.  

 The best time to reach me is during  6th period (1:00 PM to 1:30 PM) which is my  planning period.

 The planning period  is usually a good time to reach me by phone at the school number 698-8400. You will need to ask Mrs. Price, our secretary, to put the call through to room 131. If she suggests that you use voice mail, please just leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Please call me with any concerns or questions that you may have about Language Arts class. I cannot help to resolve a situation unless you let me know the nature of the problem. I would much rather solve it while it is small than wait for it to become "principal sized."

Good teacher parent/guardian communication makes for a more successful student!

What is Academic Level IV?

Level IV 6,7,8 Llanguage Arts is designed for students who have not yet/may not achieve adequate success in the academic ELA standards.  The class is a double period daily which  combines the Read 180  program, Soar for Success, Read Naturally  with intensive instruction designed to help students reach their full potential.

The goal is for Level IV Academic to be a temporary placement so that students can build adequate skills to return successfully  to Inclusion classes. For some that will be the case, but for others Academic Level IV will be the appropriate placement for instruction and the possibility of DCAS Alternative testing will be addressed.Many students on the DCAS Alternative testing will attend High School and receive a Certificate of Completion, rather than a Standard Diploma.

The plan at each grade level is:

6th Graders are on the Read 180 Program (when practical and possible). When it is not, we use the grade level curriculum, the Holt Literature Grade Level materials  and provide all IEP supports and accommodations to allow students the opportunity to access the materials successfully.

7th Graders will complete portions of the Read 180 Program  ( again, if possible and practical) not completed the year prior and transition into  the grade level Holt Literature materials with necessary supports, appropriate pacing, and limited depth of subject matter. 

8th Graders will follow the regular curriculum using materials from both the Holt Literature materials, with appropriate pacing, necessary scaffolding and supports, and limited depth of subject matter.

My homework policy:   When there is homework will be  posted on the whiteboard in the classroom, on the Homework Hotline, and on my web page at: http://new.schoolnotes.com/bzullo/

My grading policy: I  am  using a grading  system called Standards Based Grading. This system has already been implemented in several C.R. schools.  PMS has used this grading system quite successfully.  I will try to provide a very simple overview of the general idea. Students are given practice lessons to  introduce concepts, exercises to build the skill, and only then  given a performance  assessment to determine the "grade" on mastery of that concept. The practice lessons often called formative assessments are not "graded" but rather  feedback from the exercise is provided to the student in order to improve their ability to master the concept.  There are no "extra credit" assignments, points for homework,  or points for  bringing supplies  added to the grade.    The grade your child receives in my Language Arts class  directly reflects their progress toward meeting the Language Arts Standards.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by e-mail or phone. I also welcome appointments to meet in person. You can contact me at 698-8400, ext. 131 or rebecca.zullo@cr.k12.de.us. I also record on the Homework Hotline Ext. 131, and maintain a webpage at http://www. new.schoolnotes.com/bzullo.

Let 's work together to make this the best year ever!

A few of my favorite things!

Hope

by Emily Dickinson

Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune--without the words, And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land, And on the strangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me.

"Any state, any entity, any ideology that fails to recognize the dignity, the worth, the rights of man...that state is obsolete." Rod Serling

"Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it, we go nowhere."

--Carl Sagan