Course Description
The K-12 Standards for Reading define what students should understand and be able to do by the end of each grade. Students should demonstrate their proficiency of these standards both orally and through writing. For students to be college and career ready, they must read from a wide range of high-quality, increasingly challenging literary and informational texts. One of the key requirements of the Standards for Reading is that all students must be able to comprehend texts of steadily increasing complexity as they progress through school. Students should also acquire the habits of reading closely and independently for sustained periods of time. They need to connect prior knowledge and experiences to text. They must also show a steadily growing ability to discern more from and make fuller use of text.
To be college and career ready, students should learn how to offer and support opinions/arguments, demonstrate understanding of a topic under study, and convey real and/or imagined experiences. Students learn that a key purpose of writing is to communicate clearly and coherently. The NC ELA Writing Standards emphasize the importance of writing routinely in order to build knowledge and demonstrate understanding. The complete writing process (from prewriting to editing) is clear in the first three writing standards. These standards define what students should understand and be able to do by the end of each grade.
Grading
Formal Assignments: (Tests, Quizzes, Drafted Essays, and Projects) 65% of student's grade
Informal Assignments: (Classwork, Participation, and Homework) 35% of student's grade
Grading Policy
Student progress is assessed in a number of areas: class participation, projects, tests, quizzes, homework, daily classwork, and final draft writings. Maximum points awarded on any assignment are based on the assignment’s relative value. Incomplete work will NOT be accepted! Students must complete all parts of every assignment. Students should call a friend or see Ms. Vertullo before 9:15 AM if there was any confusion about the previous night’s assignment.
Tutoring Times
I am available for tutoring on Thursdays from 8:15-8:45 am, but I will need prior notice by parents if you would like your child to come in. Students who attend tutoring should come with a question or explanation about the content with which they need extra help. This is not a time to complete homework or make up work. If my tutoring time does not work for your family, we can work out something!
Independent Reading
Students are to be reading their IRB (Independent Reading Book) for 10-20 minutes each night (Monday- Thursday).
Students should always have an IRB. If a child is close to the end of a book, he or she should have a book "on deck" to read next!
Email is my primary means of communication with parents. I will regularly send out information on upcoming projects and ways that you can help your child succeed. My email address is erina.vertullo@cms.k12.nc.us . You can also email me directly from the Community House website.
Google Classroom is where I post all classwork and homework assignments day by day/ Students should check here for slides and documents, especially when absent!