Kandy TiminskiLanguage Arts

7th gradeRoom 108

303.734.6260ktiminski@lps.k12.co.us

Meet the Teacher

Things that are important to me

Learning

Reading (including Young Adult Literature)

Sunshine

Activity (Yoga, Skiing, Snowboarding, Running, Rowing, Volleyball) It’s never too late to start something new.

Family

Travel

Experiencing new and different things

Reading/Writing Workshop

Goal:• To establish a safe community for reading and

writing

(The Freedom Writer’s)

Objectives:• Choice• Response• Time• Sharing

Structure of the Classroom

* QuickWrite 10-15 minutes

* Mini Lessons/Craft Lessons* Individual Work Time* Library (two times a month)* Socratic Seminar* Individual Conferencing* Sharing/Reflecting Time

Units of Study

Poetry (Poetry Island, Weekly Songs)Research PaperNovel UnitsPersuasive WritingDescriptive WritingCommunicating across different genresHeritage Project Fairy Tales

Novel Units

Students will study two of four possible Novels this year in Language Arts:

Good Night, Mr. Tom

Michelle Magorian

The Devil’s Arithmetic

By Jane Yolen

Dr. Franklin’s Island

By Jane Halam

Touching Spirit Bear

By Ben Mikaelsen

Research Paper

• Can an Individual Make A Difference ?

Heritage Project

Homework

• Students will have homework every night…• 30 minutes of reading and a response in

Writer’s Notebook

• Sometimes it will be to work on a long term project (all projects are broken down into parts)

ExpectationsWriter’s/Reader’s Notebook

•Draft writing•Response to literature•Class notes/class work•Vocabulary•Spelling

Expectations• Being on time• Being prepared (Students should

always have Writer’s Notebook and Book)

• Being Respectful (Listening to others, not shouting, proper use of classroom supplies, using appropriate language)

ExpectationsWhole Class Novel StudyComplete Reading Responses 5 nights a

weekOngoing PortfolioFinal Drafts• Self selected pieces• Assigned pieces• Variety of genres

ConferencingPosting Assigned Scribe PostTwo month calendar

GradingWriter’s Notebook-10% of final grade

Writing Content (30%) – This grade will be based on the ideas, voice and organization of a piece of writing that has gone through more than just the practice, or drafting, stage of the writing process.

Comprehension Activities-(20%)- This category includes tests/quizzes, work from our genre studies, Socratic Seminar participation and follow up assignment, homework, and scribe posts.

Spelling/Grammar/Vocabulary-15% of final grade

Reading Counts (RC)-15% of final grade

Work Habits and Responsibility-10% of final grade (Late work will be given a 0 in this category and it cannot be made up)

How to help your student.

• Model Writing

• Share writing and stories

• Connect reading and writing (look at author’s craft…use of words)

• Honor Writing

• Ask them about the writing they are doing in class

AvailabilityBefore School and After School

by appointment

Via e-mail (Best Way)

Voice Mail (Least effective way to contact me)

3x5 Card

• Any information you would like me to know about your child

• Please place note cards in the basket on the back bookshelves