WELCOME
to Mrs. S. Jean's
Reading Web Page

    Welcome to 8th grade "Adolescent Literacy"

      This year in Adolescent Literacy we will dive into many genres of literature through our anthology called The Language of Literature.  We will also be working with various novels, non-fiction selections, articles, newspapers, and CLOZE passages.  Literature can take you many places, spotlight your personality, open new doors, introduce you to new people, and help you begin to questions things you never thought about before.  I hope you will enjoy the readings we will be working with.

Tips for Success in School

Be in school and on time for all classes

Have your agenda at all times

Have all supplies for each class - cover textbooks

Homework counts - be sure it is completed

Use the 45 minute - five day a week rule to prepare for the next school day

Be your own advocate - take time to discuss work with your teacher

Use study periods wisely

Welcome back to Swift and 8th grade! 

          I begin teaching here at Swift this fall after 27 years in the system.  I have been a Special Ed. teacher, a Title I teacher, and more recently a 4th grade teacher. I look forward to a great year with your children and my students. If at any time you need to speak with me please call Swift and leave me a message (945-4830) or email me at jeansu@watertownctschools.org.

•  Sustained Silent Reading: (SSR)
•     Every class period your child is expected to have a novel with them to read silently.  We spend the first 10 minutes of each Literacy class silently reading.  Your child has a chart to fill out which is a test grade (85%) for the marking period.  Summaries may be written to bring this grade up to 100%.  Your child knows he/she must have their SSR book for class. If not, they lose 5 points automatically and do an alternative reading activity.

** For the 2nd marking period every Ad. Lit. student is expected to write and hand in one summary for a book read during SSR.

Selection Information: 

Sections A, I, and B have been reading and working on a selection called "The Clown" by Patrick MaManus.  It is a short story in which we have been studying about exaggeration in humor along with irony in a story. We will finish up that work this week with an open book test. 

Sections C, D/E, J  have been working on a novel called My Brother Sam is Dead by James & Christopher Collins.  It is a Newbery Honor book - historical fiction about the Revolutionary War.  Essay questions are due on Monday and classes will be having an objective test on Friday or Monday.