Language+Arts

In Language Arts, you will either have Mrs. Davis or Mrs. Ruschau.
In Mrs. Davis's class, you will go have class discussions about what you have read and you will answer questions and take tests about the contents you have read. You'll also be reading... and many more that will keep your interests throughout the school year. We also will be having book report and projects about some of the books we read as a class and some by ourselves.
 * October Sky
 * To Kill a Mocking Bird
 * Tears of a Tiger
 * The Giver
 * Forged By Fire (Only In Ruschau)

You will need to write these books down along with others you read on a sheet that your Language Arts teacher will give you. You need to read a certain amount of pages each quarter, and any book you read can count towards it. It is a big grade, so be sure to write down the books you read!

Mrs. Davis likes to write papers a lot, so if you get into her class then be prepared for some work! Sometimes she has over three projects going at one time but over all if you actually do your homework every night, and stay focused in class, it is an easy A. While keeping on task is a strong thing for her, she jokes around all throughout the period. She's fun, entergetic and loves corny jokes. When you're in a bad mood, don't be afraid to go to her classroom for a hug and a " love sack ". She's like a mom to most students, she understands if you have trouble, and is willing to help you with anything you need. **She loves food!** Most teachers will not allow you to have food in class while Mrs. Davis on the other hand encourages it. Brownies, Cookies, Pizza, Chips, Pop, anything you can think of, She will let you bring in. **BUT ,** you **must** bring in enough food for the **whole** class. **NOT** just yourself! Sharing is caring.

In Mrs. Ruschau's class, you read the same books as Mrs. Davis and also take tests and answer questions on the books. In the beginning of class you do bell work. Sometimes your bell work is a vocabulary and spelling packet. If so, you will want to memorize the definitions and spellings of these words as soon as possible. Tests over these words are usually at the on the following Friday after you start the packet. In Mrs.Ruschau's class, you usually have work due over what you read that day that is due the next day but it is usually fun.

In Mrs. Ruschau's class, you will have participations points. The total points are out of 50. Each quarter, you have to participate by answering questions or sharing your writing to the class. Depending on how many times you have participated, this will be part of your grade for the quarter. For example, if you earned 35 participation points, you get 35/50 for part of your quarter grade. It isn't hard if you just participate everyday.

In Language Arts, you'll have a LOT of writing pieces. Below are some of the writing pieces you will write.
 * Moon/Universe Journal
 * <span style="color: #f17532; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Gift Piece
 * <span style="color: #f17532; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Research Paper
 * <span style="color: #f17532; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Memory Piece
 * <span style="color: #f17532; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Giver Ending Piece

<span style="color: #f17532; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">There are many more pieces to write throughout the year. For these pieces, you will be writing an outline, rough draft, 2nd draft, and the final draft. You staple all of these together and you turn them in. These are a big part of your grade so you want to keep these drafts in a safe place and do your best!