mrs. swisher 8 th grade communication arts & social studies

Welcome, Students!Mrs. Swisher 8th Grade

Communication Arts & Social Studies

Welcome to 8th grade!• I will introduce you to 8th grade and our

classroom.• If you have any questions during my

presentation, please raise your hand and wait to be called on.

All About Me• My background– I grew up in Shawnee, KS.– I attended Kansas State and Wichita State

Universities. I am currently attending Fort Hays State University for my masters degree.

• My experience– I’ve been teaching for 2 years.– I have also taught 5th grade and 12-17 year

olds (Sedgwick County Juvenile Detention Center), but middle school age is my favorite!

My Family• My husband– Jason

• Our pets– 2 dogs: Denver and Fremont

My Goals• To give you the academic and social skills

you need to progress to 9th grade.• To provide a supportive and fun classroom

environment.• To help you make new friends and discover

new interests.

Reading• Briefly describe the topics you will cover

this year in Reading.

Writing• Briefly describe the topics you will cover

this year in Writing.

Social Studies• Briefly describe the topics you will cover

this year in Social Studies.

Our Classroom CommunityMrs. Swisher – 8th Grade

Class Rules• Our classroom is a community. In our

community, we have rules to help us get along with each other.

• Our class rules are:– Be respectful and responsible.– Be organized and follow directions.– Be on time.– Be prepared.*You are the oldest kids at school now…set a

good example!

Homework• I will assign homework nearly every night, including

reading (Reading logs). • Your homework is due the following day (unless

otherwise noted), when the bell rings. No exceptions!• If you fail to turn in your homework on time, a

morning or lunch detention will be served with me. If you fail to turn in homework and come to your detention, you will receive a 0% in my grade book.

• Homework Bulletin Board: homework will be tracked by each class. At the end of the trimester, any class with 30 days in a row will receive a PARTY!!

• Student Bins: • Each class has a student bin, labeled

either SS1, SS2, CA4, CA5.• You will be assigned a number. At the

beginning of class, when you hear your number called, quietly leave your seat, find your class’s Student Bin, and turn in your completed homework in to the folder with your number on it.

Where Do I Turn In My Homework?

• Quietly enter the room and find your seat. Social hour stops the second you enter our classroom.

• Read the white board for instructions.• Complete the W.O.W. activity. W.O.W. work will be

due on random days…so you must do your best and complete it every day…you never know when I will ask to grade it!

• Wait for Mrs. Swisher to call your number so you can “check in” (turn in homework, sign up for a conference- CA only, sharpen pencil-1st hour only).

• Finished?? READ QUIETLY.

What do I do at the beginning of class?

Absences & Tardiness

• If you aren’t in the classroom by the time the second bell rings, please check in at the school office before coming to class.

• If you are tardy four times, the school will contact your parents.

• Reading Logs: **REQUIRED READING PAGES:**• Students will be required to read 225 pages every 4 weeks. The grading scale for this

assignment is as follows:• 225 pages A• 175-224 B• 125-174 C• 113-124 D 112 and below F• Students need to bring their SSR book to class with them EVERY day. • All books read should be on their own personal reading level (as

determined by their score on the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) assessment).

• All books read will be tracked on a reading log and credit will be given once they have completed a “Reader’s Log Entry”.

• Any reading log that is turned in with books on it that are far below a student’s reading level will not receive credit unless they have spoken with me previously.

Reading Requirements

Let’s Have a Great Year!