For Parents
I value the parent-teacher relationship! Please contact me with any question, comments, or concerns. The following will keep you informed about what is happening in your child's seventh grade language arts classroom:
Watch for classroom newsletters sent to the email addresses you provided in the parent portal.
Join our class Facebook page (Ms. Dircks Loves ELA7 @ PVJH) to view photos and videos from the classroom! The Facebook page is intended for parent use; students may "like" the page if, as per Facebook guidelines, they are at least 13 years of age and have parent permission.
Check your child's planner for daily homework assignments.
Visit the parent portal weekly to stay informed of current grades and missing/late/make-up work.
Ask your child to show you our Google Classroom to see the daily agenda, class announcements, and homework assignments.
About Ms. Wyatt
I would like to thank you, in advance, for entrusting me with your child this year! I sincerely enjoy working with the junior high age group and hope that you see that reflected in my teaching.
Family:
Jillian (Jill) - freshman at University of Northern Iowa
Danielle (Elley) - Senior at North Scott High School
Educational Background:
B.A. from U.N.I. with majors in Elementary Education and Middle School Education and minors in Elementary Reading and English, December 1996
Master’s Degree from Walden University, December 2010
QCAWP (Quad City Area Writing Project) Participant 2012-2013
Love and Logic Training
Six Traits Training
D.I. Cadre (Differentiated Instruction) 2011-2013
Great Books Training
Making Meaning Matter Coursework
Attended workshops for teaching Talented and Gifted students
Coursework for supporting English Language Learners
Teaching Experience:
Monroe Elementary, Davenport (2nd Grade Title 1 Student Teacher) and Kinlichee Boarding School on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona (6th Grade Student Teacher)
Jefferson Elementary, Bettendorf (Reading Teacher)
Cody Elementary, LeClaire (Reading Teacher)
O'Neill Elementary, Mission Viejo, CA (6th Grade Teacher)
Santiago Elementary, Lake Forest, CA (6th Grade Teacher)
Riverdale Heights Elementary, Bettendorf (6th grade Teacher)
Pleasant Valley Junior High, LeClaire (7th Grade Language Arts)
Links for Parents
If your child struggles with organization and work completion, check out this article.
Grades and missing work can be found on the parent portal.
Ms. Wyatt can be reached via email at wyattkelly@pleasval.org
Information about Iowa Core, on which the curriculum is based, can be found at the Iowa Department of Education website.
Day-to-day classroom happenings can be followed on our class Facebook page and via bi-weekly newsletters mailed to each guardian email provided in the Infinite Campus portal.
How to Support Your Seventh Grader in ELA
A quick glance at the chart below will show the benefit your child will have over peers if he or she is encouraged to read outside of the school day. The seventh grade language arts teachers have asked all students to spend 25 minutes per day reading - your support in this goal is greatly appreciated! Students who develop a habit of daily reading often experience improved comprehension, greater empathy skills, and a larger vocabulary.
Clipart source: http://schenkgr4.blogspot.com
M.A.P. (Measure of Academic Progress)
The M.A.P. assessment is not something for which a student can study or prepare. The links below are intended for students who have test anxiety and wish to have a bit more confidence when taking the online test.
Interactive Reading Activities by RIT
Choose a book by LEXILE (Your child's reading LEXILE is in his/her planner.)
Parent Toolkit (Explains what M.A.P. assessment is and how to understand the scoring. Offers links to websites to help your child prepare. Answers common questions parents/students have.)