Mrs. KIRCHNER

Scholars, parents, faculty/staff:  

 

This year is going to be the best one yet.  We intend to have 100% of 8th graders Culminating & Walking the Stage in June 2019. 

One way we are supporting this effort is through the Naviance program.  Naviance is a software program designed to help students find their future... through assessments, research, videos, discussion and more, we will work together to discover talents, strengths and areas to improve throughout middle school.  

 

CULMINATION REQUIREMENTS: 

 

1.  Students will earn 5 credits for passing each semester course with a "D" or better. 

     Grades from all subject areas will be used to determine credits earned in eighth grade. 

     Students must earn 50 credits to be eligible for the Certificate of Completion. 

2.  Earn no more than 2 U's in Cooperation for the 2018-19 school year to participate in Culmination.  

3.  Return all textbooks and pay all library fines.  

 

 

Let me know if you have any questions or comments.  

Log in any time from Rancho's home page.     Thank  you!                   - Middle School College/Career Readiness Coach 

Welcome Students and Families!!!   

 

Once again we are beginning school while summer is still happening....  Yay :)  

 

We are making big changes again, and instead of School Loop, we will have our information on SCHOOLOGY.  

 

We will be able to email, submit work, check grades and interact in much the same way.  LMS.LAUSD.NET is the access page.  

 

On a lighter note, I visited the Grand Canyon for the first time this summer-  we did a mule ride and camped and had a great time. Also got to snowboard at Mammoth on the Fourth of July and hiked 5 miles through a river in Zion National Park, Utah.  Not to mention (oh, I am mentioning it) I also read a lot, prepped a lot and relaxed a little.  

 

What did you do this summer? 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to a new year!  This is a chance to improve all the grades from Fall semester, learn more, make new friends, catch up with old and have a great 20 weeks. 

 

The 5 week progress report is right around the corner!  All work is due by Friday, February 3.  

10 week Midterm- all work is due by Friday, March 10

15 week progress report- all work is due by Friday, April 21

20 week report card- all work is due by Friday, June 1. 

 

Of course it will all happen much quicker than we can imagine.  The key to success is to always do your best.  Making an effort is half the battle. And we all have good and bad days, so if it doesn't go well one day, or even one week, 'brush yourself off, and try again'.  

We have reached the deadline for all work to be submitted this Friday, November 4, 2016!

The 15 week PROGRESS REPORTS will be sent home before the Thanksgiving break.  

 

English 6 should have completed summaries on the Fears & Phobias article. 

 

English 7 has been working on a graphic comic to illustrate the myth "The Flight of Icarus".  

 

For the last 5 weeks we will continue with the new textbooks and supplemental materials.

 HOMEWORK: students need to read 30-60 minutes every night and complete a log with one page of responses to the reading.  

 

The 20 Week Report Card is right around the corner!  Anyone who does NOT have a C or better needs to come to tutoring on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00 pm.  Please email me if you have any questions.   

 

Please check your School Loop and check with your teachers to make sure you have completed everything.  

 

 

In English 6 & 7 we have been working on reading texts from our new textbook.  We just finished re-taking a quiz on the first story and most students did really well.  

 

We are also working on Greek & Latin Roots- to help increase and improve our Academic Vocabulary.  I am attaching the current words and definitions.  

 

This week we are beginning our ONE PARAGRAPH ESSAY format.  This is a way of writing a 6-8 sentence paragraph with all the key details.  See the images attached.  Students should strive to achieve this format when writing their Accelerated Reader logs 2-3 times each week.  Additionally, students may submit one paragraph weekly on a topic of their choice.  

 

TUTORING is available every Wednesday from 3:00- 4:00 p.m.  Stay focused and complete all assignments daily!  Thanks.  

 

Write an autobiographical letter to me discussing three things you like about your life. The topic can be school related, family, an adventure you have had, something you have learned or would like to learn, your best friends... etc.  This is a chance for you to show me your best writing as I get to know you.  

 

Minimum: 1 full page, preferably 2. Do NOT write on the back of page 1.  If you know how to write in cursive, please do.  Check your work and rewrite for neatness and corrections.

 

What do you want me to know about you? Figure out your favorite things in life- now- and write about them.  Always use INK.  Single space.  Name, date and period go in the upper right hand corner.  The heading is: Autobiography draft 1.  

Students are in groups of 4 - 5 and will be creating trailers or short movies using their iPads. Each group will focus on a few different chapters in the novel to dramatize.  Students are learning how to use the technology, work with sound, scripts/text and each other.  

 

We will be showing the films to our classes and possibly the middle school at the end of May.  

Starting on Monday, March 7- English 7 will be reading a novel together about a 13 year old boy growing up in the 14th Century.  

It is Historical Fiction, and we will be researching some of the events that take place in the story.  

 

Over Spring Recess, students should do their best to finish the story with a book of their own.  

 

After the break, we will get into groups and start working on creating chapter movies from the text.  

 

Let me know if you have any questions!  

This semester we are bringing back our Accelerated Reader program.  Every Monday students are expected to bring their books for DEAR time.  We will be reading in class, silently, and taking quizzes on the ipads as students complete their books. 

 

Some students have learned that they owe money to the library and could not check out a book.  The GOOD NEWS- Ms. Kim, our librarian, allows students to work in the library in exchange for paying fees.  They may work before school, at lunch and after school most days to repay the fine at a rate of $5 per hour.  For example, if a student owes $5 in book fees, they simply need to work for one hour and those fees are forgiven.  

 

Students who do not bring their AR books will have points subtracted from their grade.  Coming up, we will have prizes for the top readers in the AR program.  

Welcome back to the second half of the school year and the beginning of a new calendar year. 

 

Although we are continuing, we are also starting over.  This is your chance to do even better than last semester/year.  All classes start with brand new grades, lessons and choices.  

 

For English, we will continue to read texts, respond and create related art work. Tutoring is every Wednesday from 3:00-4:00 p.m.  You may also reach me via email.  

All the best!  

Take your textbook home or use the online version: 

Classzone.com – Activation Code: 7613341-10

 

 

1. Review, re-read and recall key information from at least two of the texts we read together this semester.   Study Greek & Latin Roots… know the words and definitions. 

 

1. “Seventh Grade”, Gary Soto
2. “Names/Nombres”, Julia Alvarez
3. from “Exploring the Titanic”, Robert Ballard
4. “The Scholarship Jacket”, Marta Salinas
5. “Like Black Smoke”, Diana Childress; & “A World Turned Upside Down”, Mary Cowan

 

1. One paragraph Essay Format-

 

1. Topic Sentence – explain what the paragraph will be about
2. Detail 1 + commentary= Discuss an important fact and explain why it is important
3. Detail 2 + commentary= Discuss another fact and explain
4. Detail 3 + commentary = Discuss a 3^rd fact and explain
5. Concluding Sentence

 

1. Grammar – know the kinds of sentences, subjects & predicates, verbs and verb phrases… use the handbook in the back of the text to get more information about these topics. 

 

1. Think about and be prepared to discuss something you have learned or experienced this year as a seventh grader. 

 

1. Read a novel (100+ pages) of your choice based on Accelerated Reader.

 

1. Enjoy the holiday with your family. Take some time away from electronics to have conversations, get outside and relax. 

 

 

 

 

Hello students and parents!  

We are already approaching our first report card deadline.  That means that students need to focus on completing all classwork, homework and any essays or projects that have not been completed.  I will begin entering grades for the work I have collected in the very near future.  

Please let's work together to make sure that we SUCCEED!  

Rancho Dominguez Preparatory School

4110 Santa Fe Ave., Long Beach, CA 90810
310-847-6400            rdps-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com

Global Studies Academy                                    Mrs. Kirchner, room E420

Dear Students, Parents and guardians- Class of 2017/2021:

Welcome to 7^th grade Language Arts, MS journalism and Advanced English Language Development (ELD).  This letter is an overview of the objectives and expectations for the 2015-2016 school year. 

Course Description:  The purpose of this course is to prepare students for 8^th grade culmination (2017) and High School Graduation (2021) by developing mastery in the fundamental communication skills: Reading Literature and Informational Materials; Writing, and Speaking and Listening.  Students will have regular practice and assignments in each of these areas. 

Objectives:  Students will work to master the Common Core State Standards for 7^th grade.  Students are held accountable for their efforts and production of all assignments.  The focus of our course includes: 

• Reading- comprehending and analyzing novels, short stories, dramas, poetry, non-fiction and functional/workplace documents.
• Organizing information in a coherent manner using appropriate and effective grammar, sentence structure and language conventions.
• Proofreading, editing/revising and evaluating compositions according to established criteria of Standard Academic English. 
• Sharing ideas in pairs, small groups and with the whole class; listening to an evaluating the ideas of peers and instructors. 
• Preparing for the Smarter Balanced Assessments. 

The Common Core State Standards and a Guide for parents/guardians can be found at: http://www.CCSS.Lausd.Net

Required Materials:  Every student needs to bring these to class each and every day of school 

 

            z            Composition Book             College or Wide-Ruled, to be kept in the classroom (I will provide these)

            z            Spiral Notebook              for Homework (single subject preferred)

            z            Black or Blue PENS (4)             (PENCILS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE

          Assignments in pencil receive a zero and must be re-written in ink for credit)

            z            Lined paper and a 3-ring binder with pockets or pocket folders for handouts and other assignments

     (ideally, have a large, 2”-2.5” binder for all of your classes with dividers for each)  

            z            Highlighters                 (4 different colors)

            z            Colored Pencils                 (pack of 12)

            z            Glue sticks            

            z            Pencil case or zip-lock bag to manage smaller items 

                                    Other materials may be required- poster boards, markers, rulers, etc.  Be Prepared. 

SCHOOL LOOP- we are using SCHOOL LOOP again this year to help all of us stay on track.  Please visit my page for information and check your student’s page for regular grade updates and more.  Be aware that as with all grades, school loop simply shows a snapshot of a moment in time.  As I enter grades into the program close to mark reporting time, things may change.  Be reminded that LAUSD does not use the plus or minus system for grades, so a C- on school loop may be a D on the report card depending on a number of factors.  Email me with questions or comments. 

 

AGENDAS:  This year, Global Studies Academy has provided simple agendas to help students stay organized. Please check these and sign once a week.  Also, support your student in keeping a clean, organized backpack. 

Assignments:  Students will be given daily assignments that will be primarily written in composition books. 

These books will remain in class.  Students are responsible for making sure their books are collected and returned to the storage bin each period.  If a composition book goes missing, the student is responsible to replace the book and make up the work.  Classwork is worth 90% of the grade.  It is imperative to be in class every day and complete the assignments every day. 

Homework:  Students will use their spiral notebooks to record agendas (front half) and complete Homework assignments.  Homework is 10% of the grade and is assigned every Monday.  HW is DUE every Thursday. 

Students need to complete the assignment by Thursday for full credit.  Late work will be accepted until the following Monday and receive half credit (50%).  Sometimes students will need to work on research or writing at home, as well as study to be prepared for class.  Each evening students should read for 30-60 minutes.  I will not grade the reading, but parents/guardians this is a great chance for you to work with your student and support them in completing 2 chapter novels on their own each semester and to keep up with the assignments for all classes. 

Missed assignments:  If a student misses a day or two of school, he or she is required to complete the missing work within one week of the excused absence.  Excused absences required a signed note from the parent/guardian.  Students will need to get the missing work before school, during lunch or after school.  Students may ask their tablemates for the agenda and may also come to me for an explanation of the assignment. The student is responsible for getting the missed work at the proper time- before or after school. 

 

Grading Policy:  Composition Book checks, Spiral Notebook checks, essays, grammar assignments, journals, projects, class participation, quizzes and tests will be used to assess student progress towards mastery of the standards.

 

 

Report Cards are issued every 5 weeks.  Students must make sure they have completed all assignments accurately and on-time.  Rubrics and point values will be given with assignments.  Please stay in communication with your child and me regarding grades, classwork and behavior.  Middle School is an important time for young people to become more responsible and independent, but success depends of the three of us working together.  Contact me anytime via email: Velicia.kirchner@lausd.net

 

STUDENTS:  Please keep this letter in your binder. 

 

We have read and understand the class expectations, description and required materials for Ms. Kirchner’s Language Arts, Journalism and Adv. ELD classes.  The signatures below indicate our agreement to meet these expectations. 

 

_______________________________________                                    ______________________________                                    ___________________

Print Student Name                                                                                          Student signature                                                                        Date

 

 

_______________________________________                                    ______________________________                                    ___________________

Print Parent/Guardian Name – Relationship                                    Parent/Guardian Signature                                                      Date

 

 

_______________________________________                                    ______________________________                                    ___________________

Parent/Guardian Daytime Phone Number                                    Parent/Guardian Email address                                     Alternate Number

 

 

Vision statement: Rancho Dominguez Preparatory School will produce

college-prepared, career-ready graduates who are creative, empowered,

ethically responsible and engaged critical thinkers who demonstrate a global perspective. 

This year is off to a fantastic start.  Grade 7 students are perhaps the most well-behaved and hard-working young people I have encountered in quite a while.  Thank you parents for supporting their excellent behavior and study skills!!!  

I will post my letter/syllabus here by the end of today... please note I would love to have all parents registered and accessing their own School Loop accounts as soon as possible. 

Thanks so much!

 

 

Current 7th Graders

Grade of "C" or better in All CORE CLASSES:    1 point per class or better = 5 points  & 5 points for Spring = 10 per class 

* English

*Math

*Science

*History

*P.E. 

Thank you so much to the parents and family who were able to attend our Parent Conferences last night.  Your time and support are greatly appreciated.  

Over the break there is a lot to do!  As you know, we only have 10 weeks left of school and it will go very quickly.  

1. Organize binders, notebooks, and backpacks.  If you need new materials, purchase them. Come to class with 2 or 3 pens, paper, colored pencils/highlighters and a positive attitude! 

2.  Read at least one novel for ACCELERATED READER and take a quiz on your iPad! 

3.  Complete any late/missing or incomplete assignments: Samurai re-write, Names/Nombres essay, Homework Notebooks, etc. 

4.  Be prepared to take an exam on Taking Sides when we return from break. Also, we will take a district assessment to prepare for our Smarter Balanced Assessments. 

Know that you are the only one who can improve your grade and be ready for next year! We are all counting on you to do your best! 

Thank you,

Mrs. Kirchner 

 

 

 

I am happy to say that parents and students have gotten back into the game thanks to School Loop.  Glad to hear from you! 

However, the way our English 7 class runs, we have a lot of ongoing projects and long-term assignments that are not as easy to post immediately.  Many of the papers require days to read through and other things take days or weeks to finish. For example, we are reading a novel and doing various projects related to each chapter.  

This week and next I will be checking class work and Homework notebooks. Bring all materials and work to school for grading. 

ALL WORK IS DUE BY FRIDAY, MARCH 13.  The Report Card grades will be completely entered by Wednesday, March 18.  

As you know, the 5 week, 10 week and 15 week (April 24) are the updates to let you know how you are doing before the 20 week final report card.  It is great that a lot of teachers update and enter grades almost daily- wow! But not every teacher operates in the same way.  I want every student to succeed.  The best way to do that in my class is to pay attention, do all the classwork, do the homework and be organized and work hard.  That might be a recipe for success in a lot of classes.  Language Arts is the foundation of every class, every job, every relationship in life.  We must all be able to speak, listen, read and write effectively to understand and be understood in the world.  

TUTORING: Wednesdays from 3-4.  I am usually here until around 3:30 on Mondays and Fridays as well.  Email, visit, check school loop. The semester is almost half over!  

Here is to an excellent Spring Semester, 2015.  Class of 2016- make every day count! 

Rancho Dominguez Preparatory School

4110 Santa Fe Ave., Long Beach, CA 90810
310-847-6400            rdps-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com

Global Studies Academy                                    Mrs. Kirchner, room E420

 

Dear Students, Parents and guardians- Class of 2016/2020:

Welcome to 7^th grade Language Arts and Academic Literacy.  This letter is an overview of the objectives and expectations for the 2014-2015 school year. 

Course Description:  The purpose of this course is to prepare students for 8^th grade culmination (2016) and High School Graduation (2020) by developing mastery in the fundamental communication skills: Reading Literature and Informational Materials; Writing, and Speaking and Listening.  Students will have regular practice and assignments in each of the aforementioned areas. 

Objectives:  Students will work to master the Common Core State Standards for 7^th grade.  Students are held accountable for their efforts and production of all assignments.  The focus of our course includes: 

• Reading- comprehending and analyzing novels, short stories, dramas, poetry, non-fiction and functional/workplace documents.
• Organizing information in a coherent manner using appropriate and effective grammar, sentence structure and language conventions.
• Proofreading, editing/revising and evaluating compositions according to established criteria of Standard Academic English. 
• Sharing ideas in pairs, small groups and with the whole class; listening to an evaluating the ideas of peers and instructors. 
• Preparing for the Smarter Balanced Assessments. 

The Common Core State Standards and a Parents Guide can be found at: http://www.CCSS.Lausd.Net

Required Materials:  Every student needs to bring these to class each and every day of school. 

            *            Composition Book             College or Wide-Ruled, to be kept in the classroom

            *         Spiral Notebook              70 pages for Agendas and Homework (a planner is recommended)

            *            Black or Blue pens (4)             (PENCILS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. 

      Assignments in pencil receive a zero and must be re-written in ink for credit)

            *            Lined paper and a 3-ring binder with pockets for handouts and other assignments

     (ideally, have a large, 2”-2.5” binder for all of your classes with dividers for each)  

            *            Highlighters                 (4 different colors)

            *            Colored Pencils                 (pack of 12)

            *            Glue sticks and/or tape 

            *            Pencil case or zip-lock bag to manage smaller items 

                                    Other materials may be required- poster boards, markers, rulers, etc.  Be Prepared. 

 

Assignments:  Students will be given daily assignments that will be primarily written in composition books. 

These books will remain in class.  Students are responsible for making sure their books are collected and returned to the storage bin each period.  If a composition book goes missing, the student is responsible to replace the book and make up the work.  Classwork is worth 90% of the grade.  It is imperative to be in class every day and complete the assignments every day. 

Homework:  Students will use their spiral notebooks to record agendas (front half) and complete Homework assignments.  Homework is 10% of the grade and is assigned every Tuesday.  HW is DUE every Thursday. 

 Students will need to complete the assignment, including a one-paragraph essay, by Thursday for full credit.  Late work will be accepted until the following Monday and receive half credit (50%).  Sometimes students will need to work on research or writing at home, as well as study to be prepared for class.  Each evening students should read for 30-60 minutes.  I will not grade the reading, but parents/guardians this is a great chance for you to work with your student and support them in completing 2 chapter novels on their own each semester and to keep up with the assignments for all classes. 

Missed assignments:  If a student misses a day or two of school, he or she is required to complete the missing work within one week of the excused absence.  Excused absences required a signed note from the parent/guardian.  Students will need to get the missing work before school, during lunch or after school.  Students may ask their tablemates for the agenda and may also come to me for an explanation of the assignment. The student is responsible for getting the missed work at the proper time.  During class is NOT the proper time. 

Grading Policy:  Composition Book checks, Spiral Notebook checks, essays, grammar assignments, journals, projects, class participation, quizzes and tests will be used to assess student progress. 

Standard Grading Scale:  A=90-100%                                    B=80-89%                  C=70-79%                  D= 60-69%                  F= 0-59%

 

Report Cards are issued every 5 weeks.  Students must make sure they have completed all assignments accurately and on-time.  Rubrics and point values will be given with assignments.  Please stay in communication with your child and me regarding grades, classwork and behavior.  Middle School is an important time for young people to become more responsible and independent, but success depends of the three of us working together.  Contact me anytime via email: ciakirchner@icloud.com.

 

5 week= February 6, 2015          10 week = March 13            15 week =April 24              20 week = May 30... all work due by these dates!! 

STUDENTS:  Please keep this letter in your binder. 

We have read and understand the class expectations, description and required materials for Ms. Kirchner’s Language Arts and Academic Literacy 7 classes.  The signatures below indicate our agreement to meet these expectations. 

 

 

_______________________________________                                    ______________________________                                    ___________________

 

 

Rancho Dominguez Preparatory School will produce college-prepared, career-ready graduates

who are creative, empowered, ethically responsible and engaged critical thinkers

who demonstrate a global perspective. 

As you know, work habits and cooperation are worth points towards your grade. To improve your current grade, do an excellent job in work habits: bring materials, start working right away, complete and submit assignments, etc. Cooperation means doing all of these things nicely, politely and without having to be told repeatedly. Students who become better students over these next few weeks and increase their grade to a C or higher will most likely earn the points for work habits and cooperation. Excellent- 25 points each... Total =50. Satisfactory - 15 points... Total = 30. Unsatisfactory- 0-5 ... Totals = 0-10

Welcome Back!

Many students have chosen to become hard-working, cooperative and excellent students this year; Congratulations!

Not only will that help the individuals succeed, but it will make the classroom environment so much better for everyone.  

Remember to bring your composition books and homework notebooks to class every day!  Also, get an Accelerated Reading Book at your level and bring it daily for silent reading time.  

Everyone needs materials for school:  2-4 pens in blue or black ink, a notebook for both English and Academic Literacy, your red textbooks and a positive attitude! My goal: that all students learn what they need to know to succeed in 7th and 8th grade and culminate from High School ready for career or university. What is your goal? 

Thanks so much.  Mrs. Kirchner 

We will continue to access new ways to learn to program computers and games and be on the cutting edge of technology development, not just usage.  You can do this at home, in the library and whenever you have extra time.