Standard Class Information
Welcome!
I am very excited to be your language arts teacher this year. We will be focusing on building your skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and representation throughout the year. We do this by staying aligned with the Iowa Common Core, where your learning targets for the day are taken from and lessons/assessments are designed from.
Our classroom will be differentiated, which means that not all of you will be working on the same thing at the same time, even homework can be different from one another, and that’s okay! The goal is that we help each other to be successful and grow.
What will I do each day?
1. Opening Activity / Independent Reading
2. Planners/Announcements
3. Mechanics/ Speaking and Listening
4. Mini-Lessons / Review / Practice
What are these educational opportunities?
The opening activity and independent reading takes place for twenty minutes at the very beginning of class. The opening activity will relate to various aspects of thinking and mindset skills to work on. These will be checked on for completion periodically.
Independent reading books may be brought from home or checked out from a library, and you must have this book when you come to class. You are asked to read a variety of genres this year, but can choose whatever book you would like for that genre! You may not read assigned texts during this time. You will turn in a reading log every two weeks, but it will not be graded. Every student will also have a conference with me to discuss the books they are currently reading, and update their 40 book challenge sheets. This way, I am able to check that you are progressing through books and reading outside of class. If I see that you are consistently not reading for class, then I will contact your parents and let them know that you are missing out on this critical component.
Independent reading is a standing homework assignment, and you are expected to read an average of 25 minutes per day OUTSIDE of language arts. I also make myself do this daily. This time may vary depending on student needs. The district requires that students read at least 25 books within the school year. However, I am challenging you and myself to read 40 books throughout the year! It is a challenge, for everyone including myself, but will help us to foster a love for reading. I do keep track of your completed books, and you will receive recognition and a special bookmark with every 5 books completed.
You will write your assignments and important announcements in your daily planner (students will receive this the first day of school). The homework is always on the board in the same place, and you are held responsible for writing down and understanding the directions, it is also a part of your grade under the responsibility and participation section of my grade book. Parents should expect to see the daily planner come home each night. In addition, school policy is that you must have your planner to leave class for any reason, as such, you must carry your planner to EVERY class.
Mechanics will be a 5-10 minute lesson on grammar, vocabulary, and other language skills. It will be kept short, but you will be doing assignments and quizzes over what we learn in class.
Speaking/Listening will be a 10-15 minute practice of speaking and listening skills. These activities will consist of spoken reports of books you've read, impromptu speeches, and planned quick speeches. The point is to practice frequently, so that speaking in front of people is a less scary event as the year goes on.
During reading instruction days you will receive lessons on reading literature and informational skills. Throughout the year, we will be reading or discussing class texts. Sometimes, discussions will extend beyond the classroom to our use of Edmodo. Throughout the year, students will be exposed to various genres of both fiction and nonfiction. Students will read several articles from online or print periodicals as well as other short pieces. Students will read some whole-class books and some small-group literature circle books.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, students will participate in writer's workshop. I will provide mini-lessons on specific writing skills we are learning, and students will then have opportunity to practice these skills in class. This allows students to practice at their own pace, for the most part, and it also allows me to meet with students individually during class time to study their writing and make goals for improvement. For each composition assignment, students will use the Elements of Literature or Write Source text and/or my models and handouts.
How can I stay informed about activities and grades in Language Arts?
I encourage communication! Feel free to e-mail me at: vanlanduyt[email protected] .
In addition to this, I update my website every day you have an assignment other than IR. You are still expected to keep a daily planner. This is just to keep you and your parents in the loop so that support can be provided at home. Documents and anything else you need to complete these assignments can be found on the Google Classroom you are a part of. (You will join my Google Classroom within the first couple weeks of school. You'll be added prior to the start of the year, so if you know how to do this, you can join as soon as I invite you!)
If you have Instagram, please feel free to follow me at vanlanpvjh . I post assignments, announcements, and pictures from class. Parents are welcome to follow me too!
It is very important that you are checking your student’s portal on Infinite Campus so that you can stay informed on how they are doing in my class. My grade book is divided into five weighted groups.
-Reading (30%) -Writing (30%) -Speaking & Listening (20%) -Mechanics (10%) -Responsibility and Participation (10%) Formative Assessments (0%)
What is the policy for late or missing work?
When you do not complete an assignment on time, your optimal learning is lessened. It is critical that you complete homework on time so that you can continue to build on skills that you are learning in class, and that we will continue building on the next few days. Because of this, homework should be completed as you walk into class. Daily homework that is not completed as you walk into class will receive a failing grade.
Daily assignment are placed into the responsibility and participation section of the grade book when they are graded for completion. When assignments are graded for skill, they will be placed in their respective grade book category.
Major assignments are considered anything where students are given a rubric and a substantial amount of time to complete. (Please see the note in bold above.) These include things like papers, projects, speeches, etc.. Major assignments are considered on time if they are turned in by 3:10 PM the day that it is due, with the exception of speeches.Major assignments receive two grades, one for participation and responsibility (for being turned in on time), and one that is graded for the skill of the assignment.
What if I am absent?
Junior High is the next step in student responsibility, because of this, it is your responsibility to check my website and contact me at an appropriate time, usually after class, or during my prep (3rd and 4th hours), or via email. You have two days upon your return to complete assignments before they are considered late. Most of your assignments will be found in the absent/extra copy bin in my room. You are expected to visit this as soon as you return to class to get any papers you may have missed.
If you miss a test or quiz, you have a week from the day of the test/quiz to make it up. This will not be done during class time, so you will need to arrange a time during your study hall, or after school from 2:45-3:10.
How is technology used in Mrs. VanLanduyt's room?
I have ZERO TOLERANCE for misuse of technology in class. You are welcome to bring your devices to class, but whenever they are not being used for class, they are to remain in my technology center. You may use your devices during writer’s workshops, for reading a book during independent reading, or looking up a question we stumble upon in class. Any student caught misusing their device will have their device reported and taken to the office, where they will need to pick it up at the end of the day. The second attempt, reported by any teacher, will result in a parent coming to the school to receive the device.
Computer Passes:
If you don't have access to technology with internet at home and you have homework that requires it, you can always receive a pass from me to work on a computer here at school.
I am very excited to be your language arts teacher this year. We will be focusing on building your skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and representation throughout the year. We do this by staying aligned with the Iowa Common Core, where your learning targets for the day are taken from and lessons/assessments are designed from.
Our classroom will be differentiated, which means that not all of you will be working on the same thing at the same time, even homework can be different from one another, and that’s okay! The goal is that we help each other to be successful and grow.
What will I do each day?
1. Opening Activity / Independent Reading
2. Planners/Announcements
3. Mechanics/ Speaking and Listening
4. Mini-Lessons / Review / Practice
What are these educational opportunities?
The opening activity and independent reading takes place for twenty minutes at the very beginning of class. The opening activity will relate to various aspects of thinking and mindset skills to work on. These will be checked on for completion periodically.
Independent reading books may be brought from home or checked out from a library, and you must have this book when you come to class. You are asked to read a variety of genres this year, but can choose whatever book you would like for that genre! You may not read assigned texts during this time. You will turn in a reading log every two weeks, but it will not be graded. Every student will also have a conference with me to discuss the books they are currently reading, and update their 40 book challenge sheets. This way, I am able to check that you are progressing through books and reading outside of class. If I see that you are consistently not reading for class, then I will contact your parents and let them know that you are missing out on this critical component.
Independent reading is a standing homework assignment, and you are expected to read an average of 25 minutes per day OUTSIDE of language arts. I also make myself do this daily. This time may vary depending on student needs. The district requires that students read at least 25 books within the school year. However, I am challenging you and myself to read 40 books throughout the year! It is a challenge, for everyone including myself, but will help us to foster a love for reading. I do keep track of your completed books, and you will receive recognition and a special bookmark with every 5 books completed.
You will write your assignments and important announcements in your daily planner (students will receive this the first day of school). The homework is always on the board in the same place, and you are held responsible for writing down and understanding the directions, it is also a part of your grade under the responsibility and participation section of my grade book. Parents should expect to see the daily planner come home each night. In addition, school policy is that you must have your planner to leave class for any reason, as such, you must carry your planner to EVERY class.
Mechanics will be a 5-10 minute lesson on grammar, vocabulary, and other language skills. It will be kept short, but you will be doing assignments and quizzes over what we learn in class.
Speaking/Listening will be a 10-15 minute practice of speaking and listening skills. These activities will consist of spoken reports of books you've read, impromptu speeches, and planned quick speeches. The point is to practice frequently, so that speaking in front of people is a less scary event as the year goes on.
During reading instruction days you will receive lessons on reading literature and informational skills. Throughout the year, we will be reading or discussing class texts. Sometimes, discussions will extend beyond the classroom to our use of Edmodo. Throughout the year, students will be exposed to various genres of both fiction and nonfiction. Students will read several articles from online or print periodicals as well as other short pieces. Students will read some whole-class books and some small-group literature circle books.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, students will participate in writer's workshop. I will provide mini-lessons on specific writing skills we are learning, and students will then have opportunity to practice these skills in class. This allows students to practice at their own pace, for the most part, and it also allows me to meet with students individually during class time to study their writing and make goals for improvement. For each composition assignment, students will use the Elements of Literature or Write Source text and/or my models and handouts.
How can I stay informed about activities and grades in Language Arts?
I encourage communication! Feel free to e-mail me at: vanlanduyt[email protected] .
In addition to this, I update my website every day you have an assignment other than IR. You are still expected to keep a daily planner. This is just to keep you and your parents in the loop so that support can be provided at home. Documents and anything else you need to complete these assignments can be found on the Google Classroom you are a part of. (You will join my Google Classroom within the first couple weeks of school. You'll be added prior to the start of the year, so if you know how to do this, you can join as soon as I invite you!)
If you have Instagram, please feel free to follow me at vanlanpvjh . I post assignments, announcements, and pictures from class. Parents are welcome to follow me too!
It is very important that you are checking your student’s portal on Infinite Campus so that you can stay informed on how they are doing in my class. My grade book is divided into five weighted groups.
-Reading (30%) -Writing (30%) -Speaking & Listening (20%) -Mechanics (10%) -Responsibility and Participation (10%) Formative Assessments (0%)
What is the policy for late or missing work?
When you do not complete an assignment on time, your optimal learning is lessened. It is critical that you complete homework on time so that you can continue to build on skills that you are learning in class, and that we will continue building on the next few days. Because of this, homework should be completed as you walk into class. Daily homework that is not completed as you walk into class will receive a failing grade.
Daily assignment are placed into the responsibility and participation section of the grade book when they are graded for completion. When assignments are graded for skill, they will be placed in their respective grade book category.
Major assignments are considered anything where students are given a rubric and a substantial amount of time to complete. (Please see the note in bold above.) These include things like papers, projects, speeches, etc.. Major assignments are considered on time if they are turned in by 3:10 PM the day that it is due, with the exception of speeches.Major assignments receive two grades, one for participation and responsibility (for being turned in on time), and one that is graded for the skill of the assignment.
What if I am absent?
Junior High is the next step in student responsibility, because of this, it is your responsibility to check my website and contact me at an appropriate time, usually after class, or during my prep (3rd and 4th hours), or via email. You have two days upon your return to complete assignments before they are considered late. Most of your assignments will be found in the absent/extra copy bin in my room. You are expected to visit this as soon as you return to class to get any papers you may have missed.
If you miss a test or quiz, you have a week from the day of the test/quiz to make it up. This will not be done during class time, so you will need to arrange a time during your study hall, or after school from 2:45-3:10.
How is technology used in Mrs. VanLanduyt's room?
I have ZERO TOLERANCE for misuse of technology in class. You are welcome to bring your devices to class, but whenever they are not being used for class, they are to remain in my technology center. You may use your devices during writer’s workshops, for reading a book during independent reading, or looking up a question we stumble upon in class. Any student caught misusing their device will have their device reported and taken to the office, where they will need to pick it up at the end of the day. The second attempt, reported by any teacher, will result in a parent coming to the school to receive the device.
Computer Passes:
If you don't have access to technology with internet at home and you have homework that requires it, you can always receive a pass from me to work on a computer here at school.