Language Arts with Mrs. McLain

Welcome to Language Arts 8.

Come in and spend a moment or two.  We have a lot to do this year:  I know we'll read and we'll write.  Short stories, novels, poetry and nonfiction articles will be some of the genres we'll read.  Memoirs, ghost stories, poems, and letters will be some of the items we'll write.  I'm very excited about the year.

My classroom uses the Assessment for Learning concept. We begin each unit of study with a pretest. Since pretests are just for determining areas of strengths and weaknesses, no grades are ever given on a pretest. Once that pretest is returned, each student will set goals for him
self/herself over that particular objective.

After the pretest comes the learning.  We will have a variety of methods for learning.  We will practice concepts by doing work in class and working at home.  Practice is important, even if a grade is never given for it.

After the learning comes the test for a grade.  Reteaching takes place for students who not do well on the test.  

That is a brief summary for Assessment for Learning.

Reminders/Notes:

Reading Counts Test First Quarter

    1) Sept. 12

     2)Sept. 29

     3) Oct. 14

 First quarter ends October 17.

 Academic Assistance

My Academic Assistance is Tuesday evening from 2:45 - 3:45.  I am also available in the mornings from 6:30 - 7:30, as long as the student lets me know so that I can give him/her a pass to leave the gym to come to my classroom.

Grading Scale
GRADE    PERCENTAGE    GRADE    PERCENTAGE
    
     A             95-100           C               73-76
     A-            90-94             C-              70-72
     B+           87-89             D+            67-69
     B              83-86             D              63-66
     B-             80-82             D-             60-62   
     C+            77-79             F               59-Below

I will begin sending weekly email updates to all parents who have given email addresses to the school.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

vmclain(at)waynesville.k12.mo.us

573-774-6198