My name is Christine Olinda and I am your child's resource room ELA teacher this school year. This is my twenty-first year of teaching, and I am looking forward to an exciting year.
This year I am teaching two different courses, Just Words and Resource Room.
Just Words Period 1 or Period 4
Your child is currently enrolled in the Just Words resource room class, and was most likely in a Just Words class in sixth grade. Just Words is a Wilson Reading System Program. “Just Words is a word level intervention for students in grades 4-12 and adults who have mild to moderate gaps in their decoding and spelling proficiency. The curriculum provides a sophisticated study of word structure appropriate for students beyond the elementary grades. It provides direct and explicit teaching of ‘how English works’ for both decoding and spelling automaticity.” (https://specialeducationaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Just-Words-Overview.pdf)
As well as word study, all students in seventh grade will read 4 novels over the course of the year. The novels are: The Outsiders, Freak the Mighty, Refugee, and The Giver. Most of the reading will be completed in class. If your child would like to take the novel home to re-read, read ahead, or just to share with their family, they are more than welcome to.
In the Just Words class there are two categories for grading.
Assignments: classwork, homework, and participation is 70%
Assessments: quiz/test or project, are 30%.
Resource Room Period 3 or Period 5
Your child is enrolled in a seventh grade special education resource room class. We will follow the ELA seventh grade curriculum with modifications and accommodations as needed. All students in seventh grade will read 4 novels over the course of the year. The novels are: The Outsiders, Freak the Mighty, Refugee, and The Giver. Most of the reading will be completed in class. If your child would like to take the novel home to re-read, read ahead, or just to share with their family, they are more than welcome to.
In the class there are three categories for grading.
Classwork/Homework/Participation is 30%
Quizzes and Essays are 30%
Tests and Projects are 40%
When students are issued chromebooks they will be required to join our google classroom. Google classroom will hold videos, assignments and information for our class. If your child is absent, checking google classroom will help him or her stay informed about what they have missed in class.
The best, and quickest way to reach me is through email. If you have any questions please email me at [email protected].
I am looking forward to an excellent school year!
Christine Olinda
Lakeside Middle School
Special Education Teacher
Grade 7 ELA
856-293-2420