Week 17

Happy New Year!

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What is ELA?

English Language Arts (ELA) is a group of subjects which includesReading, Writing, Research, Listening, and Speaking.  The study of those subjects is considered an"art" because, like artists use a variety of creative media andtechniques to craft a unique piece of work, ELA students learn how tocreatively apply conventions of the English language for expression andcommunication through various media and techniques. In Mrs. Nash's class,you  will explore mostly novels, and richprint sources in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry to meet the CPS goal of 25books before the end of the school year.

What will I learn in Mrs. Nash's Reading class?

You will learn how to apply skills and strategies related toEnglish Language Arts (ELA), with an emphasis on Reading and Responding to theliterature. Class work and Homework will challenge you to think beyond your academiccomfort zone and into the realm of real-world problem-solving. You will learn arange of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills that prepare you tobe College and Career ready according to the new National Common Core StateStandards (NCCSS).

What kinds of activities count for my grade in Reading class?

Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Fluency, and Writingactivities are parts of Mrs. Nash's curriculum. You will read novels, and usethe reading and writing textbooks as supplements. You will use hardware technologythat includes audio and video devices, multimedia systems, the ClassroomPerformance System (named by us as "Archie") and software like StudyIsland for English Language Arts,  AcceleratedReader, and online programs.  Duringclass sessions, Mrs. Nash will read aloud to the class, you will read aloud tothe class, you will read silently by yourself, you will read with a partner, youwill read in small group literature circles, and you will respond to literaturein a variety of ways. Response to literature (RTL) includes actions likedrawing about, speaking about,  and "writingabout what you read." You will keep a Reader's Response Journal (RRJ) anda Writer's Notebook (WNb) to use in class weekly. Narrative writing that you willdo in Mrs. Nash's class will be included in the grades for your readingassignments. You will also have activities to complete in "RotationStations" that each group of the day will rotate to. Mrs. Nash will beresponsible for assigning your READING grade in our school's electronic gradebook called IMPACT.

What about Writing in Mr. G's class?

Mr. Gonciarczyk (Mr. G) will assign your grades for both WRITINGand Social Studies in IMPACT. Mr. G will teach you the "process ofwriting" through the context of Social Studies. You will have quarterlywriting projects in his class, and you will learn how to write to persuade andinform (persuasive and expository/informational modes). Refer to the VennDiagram so that you see what Writing and Language learning objectives for theNational Common Core State Standards (NCCSS) will be taught in both Mrs. Nashand Mr. G's classes.

What is NCCSS?

Chicago Public Schools formerly used learning standards forthe state (the Illinois Learning Standards), but is now switching over tostandards that are common across the country. NCCSS is the acronym for theNational Common Core State Standards. "Standards" provide a general answerto the question "What is a typical student in the United States supposedto know how to do by the end of 1st grade?... 8th grade? 9th grade? 12thgrade?" The wording of the standards may be difficult to follow, but to ateacher it sets guidelines about WHAT their students should be taught. It doesnot tell teachers how they shouldteach the skills because teaching is also an "art" that is bestcrafted by individual educators. Mrs. Nash will post the learning objectivesfor ELA each week in the classroom. You may read more about what you (and otherstudents across Illinois and the USA) are expected to learn in 7th and 8thgrade ELA by visiting www.isbe.net/common_core . See the "NewCommon Core Standards for English Language Arts."

Will there be Reading homework? Yes!

Homework (HW) is to READ every day, Monday-Friday.Even on the weekend, even on your birthday, even during the holidays, my hopeis that reading for pleasure becomes a part of your daily life. Read comicbooks, read magazines, read newspapers, read cereal boxes and movie reviews,read a picture book to your younger relatives, read recipes and directions toyour adult relatives, read poetry and lyrics to your favorite songs, mute theTV and read the closed-captioning... Reading is what you make of it- so have fun with it and enjoy! Inaddition to independent reading at home, Mrs. Nash will also assign other homeprojects.

Is there a certain routine to be followed in your Reading classroom? Yes!

Procedures for entering and exiting the classroom, alongwith logistics and routines will be modeled and practiced for the first 20 daysof school. Those procedures will also be available in writing.  With your departmental schedule and specialevents happening throughout the school year, your rotations will sometimes getinterrupted. Normally, you have a 60 minute class session. On a special eventsschedule you will only have a 40 minute class session.  It is Mrs. Nash's goal to have you readindependently in the classroom for a minimum of 15 minutes per day. Mosttransitions (moving from one activity to the next) should take 30 seconds orless! Other activities will take place in the classroom using a workshopapproach.

What is the Color Coded Groups of the Day? "Argeebow"

Our school has adopted a way to rotate our specials classesweekly so that you get the most time with your specials teachers. The patternof rotation is by color code Mrs. Nash pronounces "Argeebow;" itstands for each letter R - G- B- O.  The4 colors Red, Green, Blue, and Orange repeat it's pattern for each day schoolis IN session. Skip days off from school and PICK UP the pattern where it leftoff (do not start over). Mrs. G will post the monthly color coded calendar onthe school's website. Mrs. Nash's Group of the Day follows.

What do I do if I am part of the Group of the Day?

Students who are part of the Groups of the day, are thecenter of Mrs. Nash's attention for the day! You  will get first pick of the "BookNooks" and leisurely seating in the classroom. You will get priority useof the computers and technology in the classroom. You will be part of the groupto review last class session's notes and share what you have learned the daybefore. You will be allowed to conference with Mrs. Nash individually. You willbe the assistants of the day and help pass out RRJ's, and student papers. Youand a partner will take turns being an escort or messenger when requested. Atthe end of the class period, you will collect papers and RRJs and make surethat the classroom is left clean and orderly. You will take turns with others'in your group to "check floors and desktops" and to "clean yourarea" with the broom and dust pan, and cleaning supplies as needed. Youwill receive your participation grade on your day of service.

Venn Diagram of Reading (R), Writing(W) and Language (L) Standards Taught

What do I need to do EVERY DAY for Mrs. Nash's class?

What if I can't get something Mrs. Nash asks me to bring?

Do not feel embarrassed; Come to talk to Mrs. Nash privately(during lunch or transitions) as soon as you realize getting supplies or bringingcash for something may be a problem. Do not wait until the day something isdue. Mrs. Nash does not ever want you to miss out on class activities, parties,or field trips because of financial hardships or reasons beyond your control.She understands, because she is also a parent! Communicate your needs as soonas possible, and Mrs. Nash may be able to excuse you with a waiver, an extensionfor payment, or provide other options as needed.

What if I am absent or miss class?

If you are absent from school or if you do not come to theReading class period, you are considered absent from class. When you returnfrom an absence, it is YOUR responsibility to get what you missed. Do notexpect Mrs. Nash to spend today's class time talking with you about what youmissed yesterday- it is not fair to the other students. There are a number ofresources you can use to find out what we did in class while you were away. Talkto a reliable friend, confirm with your study buddy, ask people in your groupquestions, check the class Agenda Book, and be sure to C3B4Me. Especiallytune-in when we review last class sessions notes in class. If you hear that youneed a handout or need to take a test, it is YOUR responsibility to talk to Mrs.Nash about getting that. If you were absent from school, bring a parent-signednote that confirms your absence. Then you may make arrangements with Mrs. Nashto make up the assignments for full credit.

What is C3B4Me?

C3B4Me is a rule that sounds like this: "See threebefore me." That means, Mrs. Nash expects you to seek an answer to yourquestion in 3 different ways before you come to ask her. Chances are highlylikely that someone else knows the correct answer to your question. BUT if youdo check with three people and you are still not satisfied that you got acorrect answer, then raise your hand to ask Mrs. Nash. Then Mrs. Nash will besure to address you AND the other three students who may be a bit confused. Usethe C3B4Me rule especially if Mrs. Nash is conferencing with another group orindividual.

What is the grading scale for READING?

This is a grade scale that is used by many selective enrollment high schoolsand middle schools that offer a rigorous honors or advanced placementcurriculum. With increased rigor in our reading classroom, Mrs. Nash's will usethis grade scale for all students, unless a student's IEP states otherwise. 

IMPACT will automatically calculate an average, but Mrs.Nash will OVERRIDE numeric averages with letter grades at each 5 week progresspoint.

Will my grades be weighted? Yes!

Grade Categories by Weight

Do I have to do Study Islands and take AR Tests? Yes!

Study Island (SI) and Accelerated Reader (AR) tests will notbegin until Mrs. Nash explains this year's requirements and rules about them-Coming Soon in Week 5. You will have to take the SI Diagnostic Pretest andthe  STAR test in the lab with Mrs.Gonciarczyk (Mrs. G) before we officially begin. You will get a separateinformation sheet that explains the passing goals and the quarterly deadlines. Cheatingwill not be tolerated on either program. Using books from last year isunacceptable. Helping each other take the test is not allowed. Consequences forbreaking the integrity of SI and AR programs is considered Plagiarism and willbe enforced by the teacher and administrators. In short,  if you cheat, you get suspended!

Can I turn in work late? NO!

Work turned in ANY moment after Mrs. Nash collects it isconsidered LATE. Late work will NOT be accepted anytime after the due date. Itwill be noted as "MSG" on IMPACT and will calculate as a Zero. "Lastminute make-up work" and "extra credit to make up for missingwork" will not be allowed.  Keep inmind, D's are considered Failing just like F's.

Can I do "make up work"? No!

In general, Mrs. Nash will NOT offer make-up work. Mrs. Nashexpects you to do the work that is assigned, when it is assigned. If you areabsent, then follow the protocol for what to do when you come back. Keep trackof your progress by checking grades on Student Portal weekly. Opportunities forgrade recovery(fix-ups) will be announced early on an individual need basis,but Mrs. Nash will NOT create last-minute make-up assignments before finalgrades come out.

Can I do "extra credit"? Not always...

Mrs. Nash offers opportunities for "extra credit"and "fix-ups" throughout each quarter. You must take advantage ofextra credit when it is offered, or else you may not get another chance. ExtraCredit assignments must be turned in on time and as directed, or else creditmay not be earned. Mrs. Nash does not assign "points" for extracredit. Rather, she keeps track of individuals' progress, how much studenteffort is put forth, and considers the role extra credit may play in improvingthe grade. Extra Credit- is EXTRA! It is only at the discretion of the teacher.Mrs. Nash does not wait until the week before grades come out to accept extrawork. You will not get credit for extra credit turned in incomplete or LATE!

How many books do I have to read? 25

CPS requires 25 books to be read before the end of theschool year. For grading purposes, Mrs. Nash's end of school year deadline isMay 15th. To show evidence of progress toward your goal, you will be allowed touse a variety of methods called "Book Projects": written reports,oral presentations, comprehension assessments, RRJ entries, artistic displaysand teacher-monitored Accelerated Reader (AR) tests.  Mrs. Nash's quarterly requirement for readingand completing Book Projects is 7 -7-6-5. See the deadlines for each quarter.

What are the deadlines to turn in Book Projects (BPs)for each quarter?

Quarter 1- 7 BPs by Tuesday Nov. 1st

Quarter 2- 7 BPs by Tuesday Jan. 17th

Quarter 3- 6 BPs by Tuesday Mar. 27th

Quarter 4- 5 BPs by Tuesday May 15th

Do not Wait! As soon as you finish reading a book, do a BookProject on it! Turn in the Book Project in the week that you complete them,even it is before the deadline. This is how you get credit toward the goal.

What if I do not read all of those books?

 You may not earn areport grade of "A" if you do not complete the reading goal for thatquarter by the deadline. If you set goals, and you foresee an obstacle that mayprevent you from achieving your goal on time, please talk to Mrs. Nashprivately about your options. Do not wait until the last minute to communicateany special needs or concerns you may have.  

How can I read (1) or (2) whole novels every 2 weeks?

1. Choose "just right" books

Use the five finger test before in-depth reading.

Abandon the book if you don't feel comfortable reading itafter 3 attempts. Choose another book.

2. Plan out your time

15 minutes at home + 15 minutes at school = 30 minutes ofreading each day Minimum

30 mins of reading per day times a minimum of 5 days perweek = 150 minutes of reading per week.

If you read at a rate of 2 minutes per page, then you willbe able to finish reading a 300 page book in about 10 school days (2 weeks)!

If you read one book every two school weeks,  then you will have 5 books read toward yourgoal for the quarter. Class novels and Book Club readings will also counttoward your goal. Of course, if you adjust your reading rate, and READ MOREthan the minimum minutes each day, you will have read more than 5 books in a 10week period!  Make every moment count...you know listening to audio books help too!

3. Enjoy what you read!

Did you choose a book based on your interest? Is the bookwithin your LEXILE range? Is someone at home able to help clarify events in thebook with you?  If you answered no, thenconsider choosing another book.

What happens if I break the rules?

There are 5 Durkin Park School Rules that every student mustmemorize in order. The rules of our classroom also fit in these categories: 1.following directions, 2. keep hands to self, 3. wait for permission, 4. No gumand candy, 5. Respect. Consequences for breaking the rules depend on thefrequency and severity of the incident for each individual involved.Consequences include warning "small slip", on-the-spot parent phonecall, discipline referral, removal from the classroom, after-hours detention,privilege taken away, parent conference, suspension. The specific rules andconsequences will be posted in the room and available in writing by request.

Why is following uniform policy and putting a heading on my paper SOimportant?

In life, you do not get a second chance to make a good firstimpression. Consider your first job. What would happen if you filled out anentire 3 page job application, but forgot to put your name on it? Whatimmediate impression would one think of you if you met the CEO of the companywith your pants sagging, large earrings and piercings dangling, tattoos, brightcolored hair, and a wrinkled T-shirt? Or how about if you were hired to workfor the company, but you failed to wear the uniform as they prescribed you? Doyou think you will be able to get a letter of recommendation from your formeremployer if you consistently broke the rules of the company and jeopardizedtheir business' reputation? Be careful! Poor habits you form in elementaryschool will be more difficult to break as you progress toward adulthood. Whynot practice professional behavior and great work ethics now on your job as a"student."- this just may save your future!

Are there classroom rewards? Yes!

Mrs. Nash really appreciates you when you come to schoolarmed with 3 R's: You are Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn. When youconsistently do the right thing, your behavior should be acknowledge andrewarded. Mrs. Nash is currently developing a classroom reward system so thatyou can be recognized as a "Star Student." A few types of rewardsinclude edible treats, extra time on computers, "oops I forgot..."pass, and special passes like homework pass and "goody box" pass. Ifyou have ideas about types of rewards you would like to have in the classroom,please share your ideas with Mrs. Nash. Also, if your parents or relatives haveany new or packaged items or company services to donate to our classroom to beused as prizes and incentives, please let Mrs. Nash know.

How do my parents and I contact Mrs. Nash?

Email:  cjnash@cps.edu
Online through the school website: www.durkinpark.com --> Faculty --> CJNash
Online directly at Schoolnotes: http://new.schoolnotes.com/xpages/view/118637/2 CJ Nash 60652
Office phone:  773-535-2322

Conference: Please send a note or call to make anappointment. Sorry, no walk-in conferences.

What if my parents want to have a conference with Mrs. Nash?

I am happy to discuss your progress (good or bad) with yourparents! I always welcome you and parents to communicate with me anytime byemail at cjnash@cps.edu. If we must conference in person, please callthe office at 773-535-2322 or send me a note to make an appointment. I will notbe available to meet when classes are in session.

Do I have to sign the syllabus? Yes!

The signed syllabus will also count as a participation gradein Reading class. Please read this syllabus with your parents. You may need totranslate it for them in your home language. If you have any questions orcomments please note them below. Sign to acknowledge that you and your parentshave read and understand the expectations in Mrs. Nash's class as written onthis syllabus. Return to Mrs. Nash so that she may check it in and give youyour participation points tomorrow!

The Syllabus is available for download in the attachments below.