Announcements

April 28, 2025: *

Hi everyone!

I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the beautiful spring weather! It's hard to believe, but May is already here, and with it comes our NJSLA testing season. Here's a quick breakdown of the schedule:

ELA Testing: Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2

Math Testing: Monday, May 5 through Wednesday, May 7

Science Testing: Thursday, May 8 and Friday, May 9

Please make sure you're getting plenty of rest, eating a good breakfast, and arriving to school on time each day; you’ve all worked hard this year, and I’m so proud of how far you've come!

Let's finish the year strong. You’ve got this!

Mrs. Ressler

March 14, 2025:

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to pop in with a quick update — I'm so excited to share that I’ll officially be returning to school this Monday, March 17! I’ve heard wonderful things about you all, and I can’t wait to finally be your teacher for the rest of the school year.

A little bit about me: As you know, I’ve been on maternity leave since September after welcoming my first child, a baby boy named Asher. He’s now 6 months old, full of energy, and keeping me very busy! It’s been an amazing few months at home, and now I’m so excited to jump into the school year with all of you.

I also want to take a moment to thank Mrs. Rios and Mrs. Remly for all their work with you so far. I know you’re coming to me with a strong foundation, and we’re going to build on that together as we finish the year.

When we return on Monday, we’ll take some time to get to know each other, review classroom expectations, and start setting goals for the months ahead.

Enjoy your weekend, and I can't wait to meet you all on Monday!

Mrs. Ressler

September 2, 2024:

Dear Students,

I hope you all had a wonderful summer and are excited to start a new school year! I wanted to let you know that I am expecting my first child (a baby boy) any day now and will be on maternity leave from September through mid-December. While I am sorry to miss the beginning of the school year, I am looking forward to meeting you all in a couple of months!

In the meantime, you will be in great hands with Mrs. Rios and Ms. Wise, who will be leading the class during my absence. I know they will do an amazing job, and I can't wait to join you all when I return.

Wishing you all the best as you start the year, and I look forward to meeting each of you soon!

Take care,

Mrs. Ressler

About Mrs. Ressler

Hi, I'm Mrs. Ressler, and I will be your English Language Arts teacher for 8th grade! Although I won't be in the classroom at the start of the year, I will be back just before the holiday break, so we will be together for the majority of the school year.

Here is a bit about my history as an ELA teacher: this school year marks my seventh year here in Orange. Before joining Orange Preparatory Academy as an 8th grade ELA teacher, I spent several years teaching 6th and 7th grade ELA at Cleveland Street Elementary School. During my time in Orange, I've had the privilege of coaching the debate team and working as the production manager for our performing arts department, helping students shine in areas they’re passionate about. Prior to coming to Orange, I taught 7th grade ELA in the Newark Public School District.

When I'm not teaching, I love diving into a good book (thrillers, romance, and historical fiction are my favorites), going on nature walks with my husband Tyler, and dog, Gypsy, kayacking and spending time at the lake near my home, and going to concerts with my friends.

I look forward to meeting you all and getting to know each of your unique personalities!

Here is my Digital Portfolio, which shares some personal details about me as well as some of my creative work: Digital Portfolio

Welcome to Our Digital Resources!

Welcome to the digital resource table for our 8th Grade Language Arts class. This site is designed to support you as you explore, create, and learn throughout the year. Here, you’ll find all the resources you need for each of our three modules and the research task.

In our class, you’ll take charge of your own learning, engaging with materials and tasks that are meaningful and connected to the real world. You’ll collaborate with your peers, use technology to enhance your work, and develop skills that will help you become a confident, independent learner.

Please note that this site will be added onto throughout the school year - be sure to explore each module's tabs and continue to check back for updated resources!

How to Use This Site

Navigate: Use the menu at the top of the page to access resources for each module and the research task. Each section is packed with materials tailored to help you succeed.
Resources: You’ll find a variety of resources including instructional videos, how-to sheets, rubrics, articles, and more. These are here to guide you through your tasks and projects.
Stay Updated: Check the Announcements section below for important updates, deadlines, and reminders. Make sure to stay on top of your assignments and use the resources available to you.
Explore and Engage: Whether you’re crafting a horror story, researching a social justice topic, or reflecting on your learning, use this site to explore new ideas and engage deeply with the content.

Our Learning Journey in 8th grade ELA

This year, we’ll dive into three exciting modules:

Module 1: Understanding Adolescence and Decision Making

- Explore how your brain works and how to make informed decisions.
- Discover the science behind adolescence and apply it to real-life scenarios.

Module 2: Exploring the Horror Genre

- Delve into the eerie world of horror stories and create your own spine-chilling tales.
- Understand the elements that make horror effective and compelling.

Module 3: Understanding and Reflecting on Social Justice

- Learn about historical figures and movements that shaped civil rights.
- Connect past struggles to contemporary issues and become an advocate for change.

The Research Task: Later in the year, you’ll embark on a research project that allows you to explore a topic of your choice in depth. Use the resources provided to guide your research, organize your findings, and present your work with confidence.