Mr. Lee Kiessling 8th Grade Reading Teacher

B.S. Frostburg State University M.S. Johns Hopkins University Teaching Howard County Children Since 1974

Welcome

Welcome to Mr. Kiessling's website! I'd like to let you know about what goes on in our reading classes this year. I will be updating this website about short and long term assignments and projects, independent reading, and the instructional reading we do in class each quarter.

Our goal this year in reading is to help you become literate using a variety of texts, to respond in your reading using writing and speaking, and to become very aware of who you are as a reader, writer and thinker. This will take time and practice, but I assure you that you will be well prepared for your high school literacy experiences!

Our Units of Study:
1. Strategies For Reading Social Studies Content Texts : Term 2
2. Critical Literacy and Connections (CH); Critical Responses to Literary Text:
        -Terms 1,3-4; novels, short stories, poetry; Reader's/Writer's Workshop
        -African-Am Voice (CH), terms 3-4
3. Research: The Big 6/I-Search Project: Term 2-3; Action Research (CH) Term 3
4. Careers Exploration Unit; Terms 2, 4; MSA Review and Preparation: Term 3

Materials Needed:
1. Self-selected novel for daily reading.
2. 3-ringed notebook (one inch) or a loose-leaf notebook section designated for Reading with these sections: Handouts, Journal Entries, Notes, Returned Work, and Vocabulary using dividers
3. College ruled loose-leaf paper, pen, pencil, highlighter, post-a-note pads
4. Book Report Handbook: I'll give it to you the first week!

Standards for Assignments:
1. All work is to be completed in blue or black ink or typed. Pencil will be used only when assigned. Paper set-up is in accordance with the Howard County Middle School Writing Stylebook when typed or completed on loose-leaf paper.
2. Work is due on the date assigned. If you are absent on a due date, turn in the assignment on your first day back.
3. An absent student has the responsibility of checking my website and following up in class concerning missed assignments and arranging due dates with me.
4. Late assignments are deducted by 10 percent per day up to 50% and must be turned in within two weeks of the due date. After two weeks, assignments will not be accepted for grade.   
5. Students and parents need to make sure all computers and printers are working properly throughout the school year, especially before assigment due dates. Late work because of equipment problems will still follow the same guidelines above.

1. Each quarter grade represents evaluation in two areas: Daily Work and Assessments.

Daily Work consists of classwork and homework activities: 50%.
Assessments represent take-home quizzes, oral/written book responses, unit
assessments, research products: 50% .

Students will be given grade record sheets to document all of their reading grades. Every assignment will be reviewed and recorded on the grade sheet each week.

3. Parents are asked to sign the grade sheets at mid-term and at the end of each term. Parents ... this  is important...watch how your 8th grader is doing!

Assignments for Sept. 8th-12th, 2008:

Challenge RDG Classes (Per. 1,2):
1. The Giver: Chpts 8-12 read, logged, events on plot chart, BRH pg. 10 by 9/12/08.
2. The Giver: Vocab. Terms 1-8 quiz 9/10/08; Terms 9-14 due 9/12/08.
3. The Giver: Chpts 8-12 Purpose Questions due 9/11/08.
            
Grade Level Classes (Per. 6, 8, 9)
1. The Outsiders: Chpts 5-8, read, logged, events on plot chart, BRH pg. 10 by 9/11/08 .
2. The Outsiders: Vocab. Terms 1-8 quiz 9/9/08; Terms 9-15 due 9/15/08.
3. The Outsiders: Chpts 1-4 Comprehension Quiz 9/10/08.
4. The Outsiders: Chpts 5-8 Purpose Questions due 9/12/08.
 
        Parents, I continue to marvel at the great job your 8th graders are doing adjusting to our standards of readiness, respect, and responsibility...they are such a pleasure to work with. Keep up with posted assignments using our websites...the websites will be most useful as you email teachers with questions. I'm especially looking forward to meeting many of you this coming Thursday, 9/11/08, for PTA Back To School Night. Your 8th graders will be leaving their Agenda Books with their Falcontime teachers, because their schedules are written in there. We, as FT teachers, will hold the Agenda Books for you on 9/11/08.  Look forward to meeting all of you!!

Mr. Kiessling  (lee_kiessling@hcpss.org)  http://faculty.mountviewmiddleschool.org/kiessling