Ms. Kelley

Welcome to Team Summit Peak!

My Background & Brief Educational Philosophy

My name is Ms. Erin Kelley, and this is my twenty second year teaching 8th grade English/Language Arts, and this is my seventeenth year in the Douglas County School District. Although I am continually growing as a professional, my educational philosophy has not faltered over the years. Everything that I do in the classroom is based on the belief that every student can learn, and as a middle school teacher, I am responsible for teaching the whole child, helping them to reach their full potential in my classroom. I truly believe that what is best for kids is what should be best practice for educators. I love being in the classroom and working with middle school students. I believe that my enthusiasm is reflected in my daily performance working with all students.

Sierra Middle School is a positive, nurturing, academic community that fosters compassionate, creative, and intelligent adolescents, and I am proud to be a part of this school.

Eighth Grade ELA Curriculum Overview

Please visit the link below to get an idea of what each academic quarter will look like in language arts during eighth grade on Team Summit:

Eighth Grade Curriculum (22-23)

In eighth grade language arts, students will be engaged in academically rigorous, thematic based units. At the beginning of each thematic unit, an essential question is posed that ties together the unit and students' focus. During each unit, students will read a plethora of relevant texts, show their thinking through writing, participate in Socratic discussions with peers, and complete a variety of class activities aligned with each specific unit's theme and essential question. The unit themes and essential questions will drive Sierra's eighth grade reading and writing curriculum and should lead to engaging classroom discussions, critical thinking, and academic knowl edge and achievements. I am looking forward to an exciting and productive school year!