WELCOME TO 2014-
2015 SCHOOL YEAR!
Ms. Berry
204
English
Language Arts

New School Policies and Procedures

Lockers
▪ Locker Times
– You only have permission to go to your
locker at 8:00 am and 2:50pm. The 8th
grade team will not be giving passes
during the day to your lockers.
▪ Materials
– You don’t have a Math, English or
Science textbook that you need to carry
with you everyday. You are expected to
carry a notebook, independent reading
book and all utensils with you for the
duration of the day.
Locker times are dictated by the 8th
Grade Team teachers to assist in
easy transitions. A locker has been
assigned to you, then that locker
may only contain your personal
belongings that you do not wish to
carry with you to class. Sharing is
not permitted. Note: No 8th grade
classrooms allow backpacks of any
kind once lockers have been
assigned.

Uniforms
▪ Uniforms
– Jackets, Hoodies and Backpacks
are not allowed.
That’s the rule.
I don’t care who has seen you with it
on, I don’t care who allows you to
wear them. It’s the rule.
You know the rule, I know the rule,
and I follow the rules. I am going to
expect that you follow them also.
Each 8th Grade classroom
teacher will be adhering to
the uniform policy as per
the Springfield Public
School District. Please be
sure to review it in detail.

Room 204

Literacy Focus
The state uses seven literacy requirements to define
students who are college and career ready. The students in
this class and I will be striving to meet these requirements!
1. Students can be independent in their learning
2. Students build strong understanding of English Language Arts
3. Students can adapt their communication to an audience, task
or purpose.
4. Students can read and listen- and also ask questions
5. Students use evidence when sharing their options of an oral or
written text
6. Student utilize technology and digital media to enhance their
reading
7. Students come to understand other perspectives and cultures
The Daily Four
Every classroom, everyday
▪ Listening - Teachers read
something to student
▪ Reading- Students read
something on their own
▪ Speaking- Students discuss their
thinking/learning/text
▪ Writing - Students will write
something

Rule #1
Treat others the way they need to be
treated!
Being respectful means:
1. Raising your hand
2. Not talking over others
3. Listening actively
4. No name calling
5. Being on time
Everyone has the right to be respected.
It is my job to make sure that this
environment is mentally and physically
safe for everyone!

Rule #2
Take responsibility for your words, actions,
belongings, and work.
Words
If your language is
offensive or
inappropriate,
CHANGE IT!
SAY SORRY!
Actions
If you drop
something, pick
it up. If you
bump into
someone,
apologize. If you
hurt someone
intentionally, be
prepared for the
consequences.Belongings
Your belongings belong to you. Take
care of them, don’t break, rip or
throw them! Take them with you!
Work
Students are to be
on task AT ALL
TIMES and work to
the best of their
ability. This means
you are to be
working on
whatever
assignment is given
with all of your
concentration.

If you choose to Break a Rule…
▪ First Offense: Verbal Warning and 3 grade points deducted
from daily participation grade.
▪ Second Offense: 15 minute removal from class to complete
problem solving and mediation contract
(to be signed by two teachers and parent)
▪ Third Offense: Breakfast, Lunch, and Afterschool Detention.
Written referral to office.
▪ Severe Disruptions: These will result in automatic removal by an administrator,
with a written referral.
Classroom
time is
learning time.
If I give you
specific
directions, they
are for the
benefit and
safety of all
students in the
classroom. I do
not argue or
negotiate.

Class Rotations
▪ The Activator
Students must have a lesson-based task to do as soon as they enter the classroom. The activator is a
question or task springing from the unit’s work, written in the agenda, intended to focus students on the
unit of instruction. The purpose is to draw them in, get necessary class materials on their desks, and
engage their minds in the day’s content.
▪ The Mini Lesson
A mini lesson, which follows the activator, is direct teacher instruction in the objective of the day. The
teacher will explain what she wants the students to know and be able to do at the end of class. I will
define the key word, concept, skill, or strategy and show the class several examples, modeling the
outcome I expect.
▪ The Learning Activity
The learning activity must give the students the intellectual experience they need to accomplish the
lesson objective. Cooperative work is often superior to working alone.
▪ The Wrap Up
The wrap up requires all students to say or write their learning from this lesson, bringing them back to the
beginning – your lesson objective, what you wanted them to know or be able to do.

Work ELA
Daily Assessments:
 Activator
 Notes (occasionally)
 Learning Activity
 Wrap Up
 Homework
These are FIVE (5) ways to earn a
good grade in this class on a daily
basis! Make sure you are here
everyday!
If you are absent, you have SEVEN days (from the day you return) to turn in your
work! You MUST make arrangements for before school, lunch, or afterschool to
get your missing work. I cannot reteach the 20 minute lesson you missed in the
time before class, after class, or passing you in the hall

Work READ 180/ System 44
▪ We may have to start each class with rotations first.
▪ Independent reading- During independent reading time you should be
focused on reading a book 100 points above or below your Lexile. You
may not communicate with your classmates at this time. You have an
independent reading log to complete or a reading counts quiz.
▪ Software Time- Software time is 15 mins a day.
▪ Small group- Summarize, React and Writes and drafting will be done
in writers notebook.

Upon Entering
Class
each day…

1. Open your Agenda and
write down the homework
from the homework
board.
If there is no homework, you may write “No Homework” in the space
provided. You still need to have an organized notebook and folder for ALL
classes, and your backpack ready with a minimum of 3 writing utensils and
any other required materials for school.

2. Check the Agenda board.
Grab materials needed to
complete the activator,
Writer’s Notebook or a
single sheet of white
lined paper.

3.Put your Name and today’s
date, and Activator at the
top of your paper. Respond
to the prompt on the board,
independently.