Written & Oral Communication-

1Blocks 7 & 8

Meet Your Teachers:Mrs. Liz Kirby

B.S., English/Art

Illinois State University

M.S., Curriculum/Instruction

Northeastern Illinois University

Experienced language arts teacher:

•2 years middle school

•10 years Young Adult Program alternative high school

•13 years RMHS

Meet Your Teachers:Mrs. Gina Tiahnybok

B.S., Humanities/Fine ArtsLoyola University of

Chicago

M.S. Ed. Northern Illinois

University

Experienced Special Education

Teacher-LBS-I/Case Manager:

• Over 20 years in Education

• 10 years Nipper

• 4 years District Office

• 7 years RMHS

Goals For This YearImprove Communication Skills: Written and Oral

Learn English Grammar, i.e., structure of language

Read, annotate, analyze, discuss both fiction and nonfiction

Increase Vocabulary

Develop study skills

Organization and School Readiness

College Readiness

District GoalsIncrease student

success rate in courses (NO D’s or F’s)

Increase sub-group EPAS scores

Increase number of students taking AP classes and exams and passing AP tests

Where we are now? Stamp Sheets : monitoring daily

habits of work and organizational skills

Cooperative Education: community spirit and skills for group-learning

WTL’s and grammar: introspective writing to learn

Communication process: the system of oral and nonverbal com

Vocabulary: “stems” and STEMWORDS to increase reading, writing and speaking fluency

Where we are headed?Speeches and Media Presentations

Writing Process and Organization (MEL-Con)

Selected Fiction and Non-Fiction Works

Classic Novels: Of Mice & Men; To Kill a Mockingbird

Word Within a Word (250 stems by June! WOW!)

WREN Books (Writing and English)—District Wide

Independent Reading (1 book per quarter/ 30 min per day, starting now…)

On-line gradebook: Infinite Campus

Grading is updated online:

http//ic.d214.org

Your login info has been mailed home.

Students will self-monitor.

Notes & class updates will be sent through IC to your registered emaiL, so MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE CORRECT EMAIL

Tips for Helping Your Child have SUCCESS: Use Kirby’s “weebly” site!

Check your child’s assignment notebook and WOC1 calendar on the homepage of kirbyrmhs.weebly.com

Organization: Binder should be tabbed

Read at home: (newspapers, magazines, books)

Check ic.d214.org frequently

Quiz your son/daughter over word stems (flash cards/ www.quizlet.com)

Listen to student’s speeches

Be Smart! Ask Questions…

Complete the “exit slip” with at least one comment or question 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 for your kind attention…

…Don’t be late for your next class!