Welcome to A101/103

Written and Oral Communications: WOC-2

(Block 8)

I wonder if you’d like to know…Who is the teacher?What is the philosophy of the class?What are the objectives?How you can help with your child’s success?

I’m Mrs. Liz Kirby,proud parent of two,

“in loco parentis” to 148! I am a parent, first .

As I teach, I will care for your children. IN THE CLASSROOM I specialize in FRESHMEN ,

teaching 5 sections of kids with various levels of entering skills. This level is WOC-2, “college prep.”

OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM I support all RMHS kids• RMHS F/S Girls Badminton• Mentor of new teachers• CICI-WREN creator/coordinator for RMHS•TPC member and Mustangs Athletics Booster

As a community member,

I am your neighbor.

My community roots are deep, as are my concerns for the quality of life afforded its citizens now and in the future … through excellence in education.

I “grew up” in District 214 ( EGHS ‘73). I have lived in Arlington Heights since 1991. My children are products of AHSD #25.

I am a life-long learner and professional

educator.

Credentials: B.S., Secondary Education (English, Art), ISU ‘77 M.S.I., Secondary Language Arts, NEIU ‘09

Experience: Junior High Language Arts/Reading Teacher, 2 years Human Resources Professional (recruitment,

training, staff development, and employee relations), 10 years

D214’s Young Adult Program, 10 years RMHS English Teacher , 9 years

My philosophy?

I teach students, not subjects.

•Our ”success model” is skills-based, providing a stream of scaffolded learning experiences (CICI-WREN, reading, and oral communication), delivered in a safe “practice” setting. The goal is students’ PERSONAL GROWTH.

•Students will receive equivalent curriculum, differentiated and delivered per their needs, with the aim TO ACHIEVE CCRS MASTERY!

The “Big Picture”

•Increase student success rate (as measured by more A’s, B’s, and C’s)

+

•Increase subgroup EPAS scores

+

•Increase the number of kids taking AP course/exams, and passing AP tests

CHOICES & OPPORTUNITIES for KIDS!

CCRS and PBIS ?…acronyms to know to help

our students grow!

•ACADEMICS: Lessons focus on components for life- and college-readiness: College & Career Readiness Skills.

•BEHAVIORS: Strategies for behaving as responsible, reasonable citizens are emphasized and rewarded via Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports.

“NONE of us IS AS SMART AS ALL OF US!”

COOPERATIVE LEARNING PRACTICESDRIVE THE SUCCESS OF THIS CLASS!

As students learn their value to the class, they are more willing to SHARE and discover their greatest potential.

Students discover they, themselves, are THEIR OWN BEST TEACHERS … in A102 and in LIFE.

With reinforced confidence, a foundation is laid for personal and intellectual GROWTH.

What will we study, overall?

•Reading: nonfiction articles, essays, and research materials …

•Thinking: rules of logic & reason as well as the fallacies and propaganda that deny thinking …

•Responding: critical thinking expressed during civilized class and group discussion, creative expression …

•Writing: journals/essays, reports, letters, speeches …•Speaking: informative, persuasive, interpretive, and •Listening: critical, comprehensive, empathetic,

appreciative.

Where are we now?First quarter focus: Sharpening LA skills!

•grammar

•basic composition (MELcon)

•communication theory and practice

•nonfiction reading for CCR

•”stems” and ACADEMIC vocabulary

Where are we going?•speeches and research presentations

•expository and personal essays in response to CICI-WREN materials

•literary analysis (all-class novels)

• “AP-lite” projects (poetry)

• “four-level analysis” of grammar

(Refer to the quarter by quarter calendar)

Let’s Partner Your Child’s Success

Help with organization: Check BINDER, BACKBACK, and ASSIGNMENT NOTEBOOK.

Talk about classwork and projects. (Visit rmhskirby.weebly.com to see our calendar, activities, and resources.)

Read, discuss, and give feedback about compositions.

Listen to speeches, encouraging my “practice, practice, practice” mantra!

Quiz for vocabulary and skills tests (Quizlet.com, is linked on our weebly site as a resource.).

Monitor progress on Homelogic.com.

BE SMART! ASK QUESTIONS!

Complete the “exit slip” with comments or questions on which I can follow up.

Please email me whenever you have a question or concern: liz.kirby@d214.org

VISIT OUR CLASSROOM! (We welcome guest speakers .)

Thank you very much for your kind

attention.

See you at Parent/Teacher Conferences, Nov. 7!