Course Expectations

Mrs. Faintich

Reading Lab Course Expectations

Reading support is provided for students at LMS whose standardized assessments, as well as recommendations of teachers and parent, indicate a need for a reading course where the focus will be reading strategies for both narrative and informational texts.

General Goal: 

Reading Lab will help students to improve comprehension, vocabulary, test taking, note taking, and overall reading skills.  Students will actively engage in reading while improving oral and written communication skills.  Instruction is based upon the general principal that good reading, good speaking, and good writing are closely related. 

Objectives:  At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Activate pre-reading strategies.
2. Set a purpose for reading.
3. Adjust comprehension according to text demand.
4. Use more than one strategy for understanding vocabulary.
5. Analyze, discuss and evaluate reading using appropriate terminology in writing and orally.
6. Take notes and annotate a variety of written forms.

Activities: This course will include the following major activities:

1. Each student will be required to read and present independent reading books.
2. Reading logs and conferences.
3. Summaries, journals, and responses to reading.
4. Class discussion and participation.

Student Evaluation:

Student evaluation will be based on daily activities, daily participation, tests, and independent reading assignments.

Students in this class will be evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis.





Required Daily Materials:

1. 3-ring binder with loose-leaf paper
2. Writing utensil
3. Highlighting pen


4. Independent reading book (your choice)
5. Reading notebooks and books will be provided in class

Classroom Guidelines: 

The school policies as stated in the LMS Student Handbook will be followed for tardiness, absences, and behavior.  Students are expected to follow citizenship guidelines; this includes coming to class with a positive attitude, ready to take an active role in their learning. Students are expected to come to class ready to learn and prepared for class; this includes submitting all work on time.  Late work is a serious detriment to a student’s success and may be subject to a reduction in credit.  Students are responsible for getting missed work from their teacher due to absence.  Missing work may result in "No Credit" on grade reports.

Student Assessment:

Students may receive academic assistance in several different ways at Ladue Middle School. Teaching teams define the direction in which such assistance may be provided. Our multi-disciplinary teams include LMS teachers, Student Support Services teachers, Special School District teachers, and counselors.

These teams meet weekly to review student performance, meet with parents, and plan curriculum activities.  These regular meetings enable our teams to address student needs by planning alternative instructional strategies that will assist in modifying program for individual students.

Assessments used within the reading program include, but are not limited to, Scholastic Reading Inventory, Discovery Education probes, running records, anecdotal records, daily classroom observations, and Aimsweb probes.

Technology:

Students are expected to follow the Ladue School District Acceptable Usage Policy.  Students will be expected to use technological resources appropriately, and their usage will be monitored.  Failure to follow the policy could result in student loss of computer privileges. Technology is utilized significantly in Apogee.  It will be the student’s responsibility to make up work outside of class.

I Value My Students & Parents!

I look forward to a fun and rewarding year.  I truly enjoy what I do.  Thanks for all your support!  Please feel free to call or e-mail with comments, questions, or concerns.  During the day, calls go directly into voicemail.  I will do my best to get back to you promptly!

Rebecca Faintich

Reading/Literacy Coach

(314)983-5531

rfaintich@ladueschools.net