Miss Fisher’s Class
I am looking forward to a great
year with your children!
Contact Information
• The best way to contact me is by email
• Elizabeth.Fisher@cusd200.org
– Can email directly from ParentVue
• Can also contact by phone
– (630)682-2060 Before school is the best time
to reach me
My Philosophy of Education
• All children can learn
• Learning should be fun
• Children also learn from each other
• Teaching must include variety, flexibility,
and individualization
Educational Background
• Attended Hawthorne, Franklin, Wheaton North
• Undergraduate B.A. in Speech Communications
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from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Masters in Education from DePaul University
Masters in Administration and Leadership from
National-Louis University
Other Information
• This is my 19th year teaching at Franklin
• Team leader/member of Franklin
Instructional Team
• Direct Variety Show
• Coach 8th Grade Girls Track
• Supervise Cafeteria
Curriculum
• Common Core was adopted
• Use many of the same pieces of literature
• Order it is taught may be different in the
past
• Common vocabulary with high school
• All 8th grade LA teachers planning
together
• Areas: Writing, Reading Literature,
Reading Informational Texts, Speaking
and Listening, and Language
New Curriculum – my role
• Member of committee to create curriculum
• Created local assessments for FPLA
reading
• Gave input on local assessments for
regular 8th grade local reading assessment
• English-Language Arts Department Leader
Literature
Not all novels will be read – this is a sample of options
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Short Stories – Multiple titles to review literary terms
Mystery – And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Science Fiction – Memory Boy and The Giver
Historical Fiction – Various novels set during times they
will be studying in the history class, including the
following: Great Depression (Truth About Sparrows and
No Promises in the Wind), Civil Rights Movement(The
Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963), and World War II
(Friedrich, Torn Thread, and Goodnight, Mr. Tom).
Realistic Fiction – The Outsiders
Classic – Animal Farm by George Orwell, Call of the Wild
by Jack London, and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Non-Fiction – Anne Frank, The Story of My Life, Bad Boy,
Cheaper by the Dozen, and various articles
Poetry – Various poets and types of poetry
Writing
• Informative
• Argument
• Research
• Narrative/Creative
• Journal – Reflections on reading
• Free Write – Brainstorming ideas
• Use specific examples for support
• Revise formal writing for extra credit
Vocabulary
• Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and
suffixes – breaking down words
• Words from novels
• Use of context clues
Social-Emotional Learning
• Develop self-awareness and self-
management skills to achieve school and
life success
• Use social awareness and interpersonal
skills to establish and maintain positive
relationships
• Demonstrate decision-making skills and
responsible behaviors in personal, school,
and community contexts
Goals
• Setting goals and achieving them
– Goal (achievable, challenging, measurable)
– Plan (specific steps)
– Action (enact plan)
– Reflection (evaluate effectiveness of plan and
adjust accordingly)
My Goals
• Create a safe and supportive atmosphere
that promotes creativity and risk taking
• Instill a love of reading and writing
• Prepare all students for high school
English
• Teach students to effectively communicate
• Have fun
Explore Testing and High School
• Test administered September 18
• Test scores, grades, and teacher input
used for high school placement
• Counselors visit LA classes in
January/February for registration
• Ultimate decisions are yours
Thank you for coming tonight!
• PTA information
• Read your child’s
letter to you