Language Arts
Mrs. Ryan
Room 2018
1. District 123 Vision:
“Create a Dream, Make It a Reality”
2. District 123 Mission
The mission of Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123, as a district striving for excellence, is
to ensure that each student learns the skills, acquires the knowledge, and develops the
behaviors and attitude necessary to succeed in the future as a caring, responsible, and
productive citizen; this mission accomplished through a challenging instructional program that
is consistent with the state and local goals is provided by a caring and talented staff within a
safe and healthy environment in partnership with the entire community.
3. OLHMS Core Values
At Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, we are committed to SUCCESS by providing an
educational experience for each of our students that promotes CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT
and PROGRESS toward our three “Mustang Musts.”
Be Respectful refers to your ability to treat others the way you expect to be treated.
OLHMS students exhibit respect by…
- being polite and courteous
- following classroom expectations
- accepting teachers’ decisions
- cooperating and encouraging others
Be Responsible refers to your ability to take ownership of your actions. OLHMS students
exhibit responsibility by…
- being prepared for class
- following directions the first time they are given
- completing tasks
- using equipment properly
Be Safe refers to the role you play in maintaining a safe learning environment. OLHMS
students exhibit safety choices by…
- wearing school ID at all times
- avoiding harmful situations
- honoring personal space and materials
- entering and exiting the learning environment in an orderly fashion
4. Rationale
It is our belief that children become better readers and writers with daily opportunities to
practice and connect to a variety of texts geared to their instructional levels. Our Holt Textbook,
which students can access online, is our main resource. We also encourage independent reading
with a variety of genres. There is a literary focus and reading strategy that we practice with each
reading selection. Students are encouraged to predict, question, visualize, connect, review and
evaluate as they read. Writing prompts connect to what we are reading with Narrative, Persuasive
and Expository essays developed during the year. SSR (Self-selected reading) time and Literature
Circles are planned to give the students the chance to share and discuss what they are reading.
We want the students to understand that Reading is Thinking!
5. Objectives (3-5 BIG IDEAS)
By the end of this course, the students will:
*Read with understanding and fluency.
*Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras, and ideas.
*Write to communicate for a variety of purposes.
*Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations.
*Use the Language Arts to acquire, access, and communicate information.
6. Daily Procedures
Each day, students will:
*Begin class with a warm-up activity related to the daily objective.
*Be introduced to the daily objective.
*Take part in a variety of activities to meet the goals and objectives set forth for the day.
*End class with a closing activity that provides a formative assessment of the objective.
7. Expectations of Student
As my student, you are expected to:
*Respect all adults in our building
*Treat your classmates and other students with dignity and respect.
*Treat yourself with dignity and respect.
*Act Responsibly in all areas of OLHMS.
*Act in a safe manner in all areas of OLHMS.
8. Expectations of Teacher
As your teacher, I promise to:
*provide a safe learning environment.
*treat you with dignity and respect.
*be the best teacher that I know how to be.
*use available technology and resources to meet your individual needs.
9. Assessment Criteria
Homework is given as a learning tool that aides student achievement of Learning Arts
objectives. All work is due on the assigned date, or reduced credit is given. Students are
responsible for work missed while absent and should meet with the teacher to discuss test/quiz
make-ups.
Grades are based on students’ understanding and application of content and skills. Points are
earned on various projects, tests, quizzes, and various classroom activities. No extra credit will be
given for missed points.
10. Materials
*Holt textbook with online username and password.
*Teacher chosen novels.
*Non-fiction and current event articles.
11. Instruction and Directions for Help?
Kate Ryan 708-499-6400 Ext: 7912
Classroom information and assignments can be found on my Homework Portal page through the
district website, or just click the link below.
My Homework Portal Page
kryan@d123.org