Welcome to English Language Arts & Ancient History! I am delighted to have you as a student this year.  Throughout this class, there will be daily opportunities for you to grow as a scholar, reader, and writer, while we engage in a variety of explorations, texts, and writing genres.

Textbooks
  • California Collections - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt textbook and consumable.  Students will also read collections of fiction and nonfiction along with various digital lessons used in class. 
  • TCI- History Alive! Ancient History

Reading Genres
  • Short Stories
  • Poetry
  • Novels
  • Informational Texts

In addition to what we read in class, students are required to read up to 40  independent reading books of their choice.  Students are required to write and talk about what they read.  Students will sample books from a variety of different genres (e.g, historical fiction, biography, fantasy, mystery, etc.) throughout the year.  Students will also engage in book discussions with their peers and may have book projects to complete. See attached letter on the importance of daily reading. 

Due to the vast number of books available, it is impossible for me to preview all the content.   Please be aware of the content of the books that your child is reading.

Writing & Digital Portfolios
Students will learn the following types of writing.
  • Argument--Writing to persuade or argue a particular point of view
  • Informational/Explanatory -Writing to convey information or explain knowledge
  • Narrative--Writing that tells a story (fictional)
In addition, students will write to learn, to express themselves creatively, and to organize their thoughts. Writing assignments will include poetry, journals, quick writes, and notes.

Required Materials
In Class, Every Day:
  • Independent reading book
  • Charged Chromebook

Homework
  • Late homework is accepted until Ms. Lippold grades the entire class’s work.  After which, the work will be accepted with a 20% reduction. 
  • Students can expect to receive 20 minutes of homework on a minimum of four nights a week (Mon-Thur). 
  • Students are REQUIRED to read for 100 minutes a week/20 minutes a day.  
  • If there is no specific homework, students should read their books and review what we learned in class on that day.
  • Major assignments should be turned in by the due date even if you are absent!  Please make arrangements to email or share it with me.
Classroom Expectations
  • If what you are doing INTERFERES with learning, HURTS someone’s heart or body, or PREVENTS you for being your best self, you should NOT be doing it. 
  • No use of your Chromebooks for video games in my classroom.
  • Students must have all their required materials, a charged Chromebook, and an individual reading novel present for each class. 
Behavioral Intervention Steps
  1. Verbal warning , discussion, reminder
  2. Campus beautification, email, call parents
  3. Detention
  4. Counselor/Principal contact
Absences
  • Parents or Guardians MUST contact the school office for an excused absence.
  • Students are responsible for making up homework and classwork when they are absent.  They must check the Google Classroom or with a study partner immediately following the absence.
  • Students have as many days as they were absent to complete and turn in missed work.
  • If a student missed a test or quiz. he/she must schedule an appointment with me to make it up during office hours.
  • My office hours will be during lunch by appointment. 

Communication
I communicate with students and parents through Remind, a mobile text app, available on your iPhone and Android devices, or through email. Please expect weekly reminders, important updates, assignments, and information for my classes. Parents and students may use this service to privately text me with any questions or concerns you may have.  This is my preferred method of communication Please sign up now to avoid missing any announcements:

Please send a text message to 81010 and include @f78a87  in your message