Looking forward to an AWESOME 2011-2012 school year!

Welcome to Ms. Buck's 8th grade English, Language Arts, and Reading class.  I graduated from Sam Houston State University in the Fall of 2009 with my Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary studies and EC-8 ELAR. I have worked with students in Willis ISD at Brabham Middle School for Methods, Magnolia ISD at Magnolia Jr. High and Elementary for student teaching.  I started with Cleveland Middle School in January of 2010. I have greatly enjoyed working with the students and staff at this district.  

I love my job. Teaching is a true passion of mine. I have wanted to be a teacher all of my life. I feel so blessed that I have had the support from family and friends to follow my dreams. I am so grateful that I am able to do what I truly enjoy which is making a difference in every students life with a positive impact to help them become what they want to be in the future as well.

General Course Description

Eighth grade English offers an in-depth study of various literary forms, as well as a challenging writing program that completes the middle school student’s preparation for literary analysis and writing at the high school level. The course is divided into several comprehensive units, each of which centers on a particular theme or genre. Within these thematic units, we will read at least two novels. These thematic units also include a variety of short stories, poems, essays, and articles.

The following is an abbreviated list of what we'll be covering this year-

• 1^st nine weeks- Analyzing Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry and Drama

• 2^nd nine weeks- Analyzing Persuasive and Informational Text

• 3^rd nine weeks- creating Connections Across all Genres

• 4^th nine weeks- Media Literacy and Producing Research.  Deeper Connections (Making Connections Between Media From a Variety of Backgrounds).

Materials needed for class:

Aside from the basic stuff, like paper, pens/pencils, etc., you will need a one-inch , three-ring binder, along with 5 dividers. The binder will be organized into the following sections:

1. Warm-Ups

2. Vocabulary

3. Lecture Notes

4. Reading Portfolio

5. Writing Portfolio

Each section should be in chronological order — so every item should be dated. Your binder will be graded once or twice a six weeks. I may announce it ahead of time, or I may grade the binder “as is” with no warning. The binders should be kept in the classroom unless you have permission to take them home, and should be up-to-date and organized at all times.

What will our class routine be?

Each class will start with a warm-up activity that aims to introduce, or reinforce, literature and writing concepts. The standard weekly routine will be:

• Monday: Lecture day- this day will be the only lecture day of the week, and it will be used to introduce the topic of study. The vocabulary of the week will also be introduced.

• Tuesday/Wednesday: Reserved for reading/writing activities.

• Thursday: Test day- As much as we can, we'll always aim to have a test on Thursday. The test will cover that week's content, along with previously learned material. The first section will always be vocabulary, and the second section will be based from our readings. The tests will be cumulative, with 70% of the test consisting of new material, and 30% consisting of previously learned material. DO NOT BE ABSENT ON THURSDAYS!

• Friday: Test Correction and Preferred Activity Time (PAT)- Fridays will be used to go over the tests and correct mistakes, and re-teach anything that wasn't understood. Students who make a passing grade will be allowed to have PAT, which is an activity of their choosing.

Please understand that this schedule will change from time to time based on specific class needs, as well as for special days throughout the year where we will have a modified school schedule.

"Dream as if you'll live forever, Live as if you'll die tomorrow."

"Grief and tragedy and hatred are only for a time. Goodness, remembrance and love have no end."

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle."

"Work like you don't need the money, love like your heart has never been broken, and dance like no one is watching"

"Fear less, hope more, eat less, chew more, whine less, breathe more, talk less, say more, love more, and all good things will be yours."

"The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core strength within you that survives all hurt."

"For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness."

"Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly."

"Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have."

"The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book."

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