Expectations:

1. Copy HW down daily. I require this for a couple reasons. First, it helps you build a good habit and it feels great when you can cross it off your list! Second, from time to time I may forget *oops* to update this page. If you write it down, you'll never have to guess what was assigned! Also, technology can be fickle; while it is a fabulous tool it should not be the only thing we rely on. And third, your future high school teachers may not post your homework at all! *Gasp* Being in the habit of writing things down will make you successful when you get to those teachers who don't.

2. No Excuses. There will be occasional homework(other than just studying)-this is a non-negotiable. It is not designed to keep you busy, it is designed to reinforce concepts and/or prepare you for the next day. It is critical that you are consistent in completing any and all assignments. Homework is not accepted late. It will just count as not completed! High school has no time for excuses. It is best that you learn that now.

3. Printing. As a middle school student, you are asked to be a responsible student whether you are ready or not. This comes into play when an assignment needs to be printed. Printer paper and ink was listed on your school supply list for a reason-to be used. They are consumable products, which means when they are consumed or run out, they must be replaced in a timely manner. It is your job to let your parents and guardians know when those items are running low so they have the chance to get them for you before it is too late. I may attach a handout to Google Classroom that you'll need to print and fill out for the next day. I may ask you to finish typing an essay or project and ask you to print it by a certain due date. If your printer is broken or non-existent, we'll work something out. But, you cannot rely on the computer lab to print your work. In high school, they will not allow that at all.

4. Academic Honesty. Academy honesty and integrity is an important component of a good Catholic education. To better understand this, listed below is a description of academic dishonesty, as purchased from Teachers Pay Teachers seller Mark Aaron. The following definitions should help all to understand what academic dishonesty is:

• Plagiarism –representing the ideas or work of another person as the student’s own ideas or work, or not crediting another person’s work or ideas.

• Collusion – supporting dishonest behavior by another student, such as allowing your work to be copied or submitted to a teacher by another student.

• Copying – making a copy or copies of any type of media (written, audio, or visual) and then submitting it as your own without crediting the source.

• Duplication of work – presenting the same work for different assessments.

In short, don't do it. I am very good at noticing when something doesn't sound like you. When in doubt, I'll plug it into Google and see what pops up or I'll search through my stack of student work to find where I read it before. It is not a risk worth taking in my class.

ELA

Class overview (topics covered):

Grammar

Spelling

Reading Comprehension

Figurative Language

Reading Strategies

Writing Process

AND MUCH MORE!!!

All learners this year:

*Google classroom and google meet are our 2 main ways to communicate and stay on task with what we are doing in class. I will post homework on google classroom, in case students forget when they are at home.

ABOUT ME:

WELCOME to 6th Grade! (and 7th and 8th)

- I have been teaching for 20+ years, and have had the pleasure of teaching at Holy Cross for 5 years.

- I received my teaching degree from Widener University.

-I am currently taking graduate classes.

-I am in charge of Holy Cross's school newspaper. more info will be announced, if students are interested

I have also taken various courses and trainings over the years that have helped further my knowledge on the forever changing aspects of education! I have experience with various grade levels, as I served as a substitute (long-term and building) in various local school districts. I also have experience with Keystone Stars and the PreK counts Program. I have tutored school-age children as well! Being an educator is a never-ending learning process. I learn right along with my students. My philosophy for teaching is to always provide a confident and comfortable learning environment so that students can grow and succeed. On a more personal note, I have two children (sons) and a boyfriend, whom I adore! My boys are 9 and 14 and certainly, keep me busy! I work part time on weekends as a banquet server. Aside from being a teacher and mother, I enjoy watching movies. FUN FACT: I love leopard print!

CLASSROOM: In my classroom, students are able to learn, not only from my teaching, but from their peers. We collaborate on many tasks throughout the school year. A few theorists I try to utilize in my classroom strategies are Jean Piaget and Benjamin Bloom, who believed that student learning can be strengthened by small tasks/skills and then eventually build and connect knowledge to achieve the larger tasks/skills. I also believe in holding students accountable for their actions. In the present day, this will help them as they get older in many experiences. Students are in charge of their own learning and will be allowed to take action and have accountability.

WISH LIST FOR HOMEROOM:

Swifter: wet pads (I was gifted a mop, so we will just need the wet pads throughout the school year)

WIPES! WIPES! we use them daily after snacktime since we share desks and switch classes

Colored paper for printer

Plastic silverware

Construction paper

Detentions. As per Handbook, detentions are held after dismissal until 3:45. Parents/Guardians are given notice at least 24 hours prior so that arrangements for pick up can be made. Students must be picked up promptly at 3:45, at the office.Detentions accumulate throughout the entire year. If the student merits three detentions, an in-school suspension will then be served. Detention will be automatically issued for, but not limited to, the following reasons: blatant, disrespect to faculty members, staff, volunteers, or guests, deliberate disobedience of authority, fighting, bullying/harassment, deliberate destruction of classroom furniture, materials, and school property, lying, stealing, cheating, forgery, plagiarism, disruptive behavior on the bus, in church, on field trips, use of cell phone on school property without specific permission, abusive, obscene language, gestures, or actions, possession of electronic devices when not permitted.