12.5 of My Fav Writing Rules

I love this, but can't remember where I found it. Feel free to copy it or print it out.

Materials I've Given To Students

In class, I've given students information that will allow them to know what they will be learning throughout the year, what I expect of them and what they should expect of themselves, and the materials they will need to have a successful 8th grade year.

Feel free to download the materials below by clicking on them. These links are good for seven days. After that, you may email me at erin.cooper(at)pgcps.org or call me and I'll send them to you.

• Syllabus


• Behavior Expectations & Class Procedures


• Student Interest Inventory


• Student Information Sheet

Also, agenda books were given to students yesterday and today. The school-issued agenda books serve several functions. It's where student write their homework everyday. The agenda book also doubles as a Hall Pass.

Please remind students to bring their agenda book with them everyday, otherwise it has the possibility of harming your child's organization, which may also harm their success in the classroom.

Week 1 Overview: What We're Doing In Class

After introductions and setting behavior norms, giving students information about class procedures and the class syllabus, today, we began our first full day discussing elements of English/Language Arts.

During the rest of the remaining class days in the week, we will discuss other elements of the Reader's Workshop. These elements include:

• How to choose texts that will aid in increasing students' reading comprehension, vocabulary and level of engagement with reading


• Reading books in different genres. It's especially important that students vary their reading so that they expand their reading beyond genres they're comfortable with and are able to learn something new.


• Taking responsibility for understanding their reading process. In this lesson, students will set up their class notebook and their Reader's Notebook, which we've discussed in class over the course of the week.

Launching A Great School Year

Hello parents and students,

This website will help you keep track of class assignments and what we're doing, in general, at Thomas Johnson Middle School.

During the first week of school we will set classroom procedures, begin discussing the structure of the day-to-day class and possible administer our first assessment of the school year.

I will be sending home a syllabus and letter to the parent, accompanied by a signature sheet that ensures both parent and student have read and understand what we plan to cover in class this quarter.

My classroom is open at any time for parents to come for observations. You may also email me at erin.cooper(at)pgcps.org or at 301. 918.8680 to ask questions or share comments with me.

I look forward to hearing from you and launching a school year of excellence!

Sincerely,
Ms. Cooper