Guide to Ms. Griffin’s 8th Grade Class
I am so excited about what this year has to offer all of us! I am Ms. Griffin, and I will be your student’s language arts and social studies teacher. This is your student’s last year in middle school! It will definitely be memorable. This is my 22nd year teaching middle school and I am so excited to be teaching your student American History and Literature! We are going to have an amazing year!
Homework: Homework will be assigned regularly as a continuation of our lessons and activities in class. Please provide a quiet spot for your student to complete his/her assigned work. Students should be able to complete homework independently. In order to support your student, please monitor penmanship as well as spelling and grammar errors whenever possible.
Absences: Absences make your student’s job much more difficult. Please try and limit any unnecessary absences in order to be successful in school. If a student does not attend three virtual sessions in a row, then I must contact the office. When necessary, if you do miss a virtual session, utilize Google Classroom and my website for missing assignments.
Pride Planner: Students are required to write their homework in their Pride Planners daily. Please check their planner daily to keep them accountable for the work they are to complete.
Teacher Website: You can access my website through the Summit Intermediate website. Please bookmark this website in order for you and your student to check the assignments and homework when necessary. Both classwork and homework will be posted for the week. Updates will be made when necessary. The website is very, very helpful when you are absent or forgetful!
http://sis.etiwanda.org/staff_websites/8th_grade/ms__griffin
Contact Information
Phone: (909) 262-1165 (please text specific questions only)
(909) 899-1704
Dai_griffin@etiwanda.org
Virtual Classroom Behavior
Students will be aware that I expect their very best at all times. Students are expected to follow the guidelines laid out in our class matrix at all times. All students are expected to be seated calmly with a chrome book or computer in front of them. All students are expected to have cameras on throughout virtual sessions. I will continue to emphasize the importance of KINDNESS and HARD WORK.
Rewards: 1) Verbal Praise 2) Learning takes place 3) Happy Classroom
Consequences: 1) Warning 2) Time Out with Aide 5) Phone Call Home
Reading - AR
Students must learn 5,000 new words each year in order to improve reading and vocabulary scores
Students can learn new vocabulary by reading the right level of book – by reading as much as possible!
Our Renaissance Reading program has all AR tests online, which means nearly any book has a test!
Students are required to take AR tests throughout the year. They should take ONE test every TWO weeks! Within the first two weeks of school students will know their AR goal. The percentage of their goal completed will be inputted into the grade book at six-week progress as well as at final trimester grades.
Social Studies Interactive Notebooks, Etc.
Students will keep an interactive notebook in Social Studies. This will include various charts, maps, Cornell Notes, etc. At least three or four times a week, they will have an assignment in this notebook, and I check it regularly. Virtually, the best way for me to check this notebook is for students to upload a picture into Google Classroom. I will accept the Interactive Notebook online, but I do prefer that you create your interactive notebook in the black composition book that I provided you. Part of the learning takes place in the creation of this notebook!
American History and Government
The Eighth Grade Curriculum is American history. We will spend part of the year discussing our government and how it works. It is always a great idea to discuss your political views with your student. Any discussions or opinions you have in the home will only generate more enthusiasm in your student’s learning in the classroom. Of course, all perspectives will be discussed in the classroom.
