PARENT LETTER - Aug. 2010

August 16, 2010
Dear Parents,

Welcome to eighth grade Language Arts! This year will be filled with activities and major choices (i.e., which high school? What classes? How do I juggle my busy schedule? ). In this class, it is a year for teenagers to master the skills and lessons that will enable them to succeed or function at the next level.

Over the course of the year, we will be practicing the following writing genres: narrative, persuasive, response to literature, and summary. Using the District's adopted Prentice Hall Literature book, your child will also study the following reading genres: short stories, fiction, poetry, tall tales, social issues, biographies, technical reading, informational reading, etc.

Your student will receive two textbooks to take home for the year. They are the Prentice Hall Literature Book ($75) and The Prentice Hall Grammar Book ($35). These books are to be left at home and returned in May, just prior to Promotion. They will also receive a Reader's Companion Workbook and a Grammar Skills Workbook (both are valued at $10 to replace) and both are consumables that will be housed here in the classroom.

Spelling and classical roots are woven into the daily curriculum and, in conjunction with these activities, my classes will read at least six (6) core-related novels. Your student will be expected and required to read on a daily basis in the classroom environment. (I allot 10+ minutes at the beginning of each period to satisfy this part of their grade.) Upon completion of a novel, an AR test is taken to document their efforts. (Occasionally, I will assign a book report in lieu/addition to the quiz. Book reports are an option for any student.)

Of major importance will be learning time management. Students must learn to balance their outside activities and their school work. All students receive a Binder Reminder from Castillero and it is an excellent resource to use and keep track of a busy schedule.

At this point, I would direct you to read the syllabus (green sheet) that is among your student’s handouts. It outlines classroom expectations, behavior issues, grading policy and avenues for communication. If you or your child do not have internet access, please let me know by Friday so that I can annotate a need for other arrangements.
You have three "TO-DO's" that I'd love to have you accomplish by Monday, 8/23:

1. Parental set up of e-mail account through San Jose Unified. (Go to the San Jose Unified's web site, click on "Parent e-mail registration," follow directions, register your e-mail account, send me a test message.) Voila! We can talk.

2. Parents’ Letter(s) to me. I have found that knowing my students well enables me to help them succeed. I ask that each of you write a short letter describing the wonderful things that you know about your child. You might consider including your child's interests, hobbies, skills, talents, fears, challenges, etc. Please include your child's full name in the subject area for any correspondence with me. (You could write this as an e-mail OR as a separate missive.)

3. Parent AND Student use the same PIV account. Obtain your student's ID and PASSWORD from the Registrar in the main office. You probably already have these codes from previous years at Castillero...they remain the same from year to year. Log onto the Castillero "Grades P.I.V." link at ANY time to view student's progress. (Note: I enter grades on a regular basis and my grade signals are posted in the syllabus. Also, not all teachers use the same codes.)

I look forward to knowing your child and to meeting you at Back-to-School Night, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 22nd. (Please check Castillero's web site to ensure that there are no changes regarding date and time.)

Sincerely,




Marilyn A. Tietgens
8th Grade Language Arts