my name is ms. swain. [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
I am a graduate of Savannah State University. I received a Bachelor of Arts in English.
I received my Masters from The University of Georgia. I hold a Master of Arts in Teaching.
I hold a certification in Secondary Education for grades 6-12.
Homework Expectations
Students are expected to write their assignments in their agendas daily.
The agenda and homework assignments can be found on the SMS website at the beginning of each week.
Students are expected to read 30 minutes each night.
Homework is used as a tool to review the material
learned in class, so it is important that students complete the assignments when they are given. NO homework will be accepted late.
Classroom Management Style & School-wide Behavior Management Plan
Classroom Management Plan:When a student violates any of the classroom expectations, consequences will be implemented at the discretion of the teacher. Consequences may include:
1. Warning/Redirection2. Seat change within class3. Reflective exercise4. Parent call or email5. Silent Lunch 6. Isolation on team 7. Detention 8. Office referral to admin – initiate intermediate steps beginning with parent conference called by referring teacher (or case manager)9. All subsequent steps = Office referral to admin
Classroom Management Cont.
• Reward Cards to attend Fun Fridays • Good News from School Postcards • Positive Phone calls or notes in the
agenda book
Generals Reward Card:How will it work?
Agenda Books Reward cards in agenda books Teachers will provide a stamp or their
initials along with a slash mark and the number of the area that the student did not master for each student in every class period
Use last 5 minutes of each segment Do not complete stamps standing at the
door. Stamps may NOT be taken away.
Generals Reward Card:General Protocols
Example:
Johnny Smith earned a stamp for Ms. Swain’s first period LA class on Wednesday. Ms. Swain would then stamp her initials in the corresponding box.
What is the Common Core?
Common Core State Standards commissioned by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association
Goes deeper than old state standards More critical reading/writing skills Comparing multiple texts Analyzing longer texts Short texts vs. extended texts Higher expectations for all students Apply, compare, contrast, demonstrate, cite,
produce, evaluate
What makes cc different?
Rigor Goes deeper than current standards More critical thinking Higher expectations for all students Relevance Heavier focus on informational text- more
of what our students need What skills do our students need to be
college/career ready
What does it mean for my student?
More informational texts vs. literary texts Strategies for reading for information Increased writing expectations – more
expository and argumentative with evidence (citing the evidence)
Words in context; the relationship of words with other words, within sentences, how they affect the larger work
Increased Informational Text
Informational texts/literary nonfiction include the subgenres of exposition, argument and functional text in the form of personal essays; speeches; opinion pieces; essays about art or literature; biographies; memoirs; journalism; and historical, scientific, technical or economic accounts (including digital sources) written for a broad audience (Common Core State Standards, page 57).
How can I be successful in Ms. Swain’s class?
Students are expected to have the following each day: Language Arts Notebook ( no other subjects
should be inside this notebook) Paper Pencil or pen Agenda Novel
Students are expected to complete reading logs nightly and turn them in on Friday.
Grading Policy & Promotion Criteria
Grading Policy 90 and above A 80-89 B 74-79 C 70-73 D Below 70 U Promotion Criteria: For promotion to 8th grade - Students must achieve a
passing score on each of the following: * CRCT Reading * CRCT Language Arts * CRCT Math
* CRCT Science * CRCT Social Studies
Any Questions?