Language Arts
Mrs. Stavrou
OLHMS, Room 2002
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, assess, and communicate information
6. Daily Procedures
Each day, students will…
 Begin class a warm-up 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 daily
objective
7. Expectations of Student
As my student, you are expected…
 To respect all adults in our building
 To treat your classmates and other students with dignity and respect.
 To treat yourself with dignity and respect.
 To act responsibly in all areas of OLHMS.
 To act in a safe manner in all areas of OLHMS.
8. Expectations of Teacher
As your teacher, I promise…
 To use available technology and resources to meet your individual needs.
 To treat you with dignity and respect.
 To be the best teacher that I know how to be.
9. Assessment Criteria
Homework is given as a learning tool that aids student achievement of language arts
objective. All work is due on the assigned date or reduced credit is given. Students are
responsible for all work missed while absent and should meet with the teacher to discuss tests
and/or quiz make- ups.
Grades are based on student’s understanding and application of content and skills.
Points are earned on tests, quizzes, and various projects and activities. No extra credit is
given for missed points.
10. Materials
 Holt textbook with online user name and password
 Teacher chosen novels for literature circles
 Nonfiction and current events articles
11. Instruction and Directions for Help?
School phone is: 708-499-6400
My extension: 7922
My e-mail: vstavrou@d123.org