Mr. Slater
Mr. Slater's Mesa Home Page
Welcome to Slater's school website
Mr. Slater has been teaching here at Mesa Middle School since 1994. He has taught Social Studies, Drama, Journalism, Yearbook, and Language Arts. Currently, he is teaching 8th grade ELA and 8th grade advanced ELA. He is also coaching Mesa Cross Country.
8th Grade Language Arts
This page contains the course syllabus and basic course information. Each class will have a Google Classroom also, which is where a lot of the assignments will be available. If you have questions, please email me at tom.slater@lmusd.org - Thanks
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Here is a rough outline for Mr. Slater’s class. The BEST way to contact me is to email me at tom.slater@lmusd.org or you can call me at 474-3400 ext. 8465. Thanks!
General Outline:
Semester 1
Editing skills, essay writing sample (Who I Am), peer editing, The Hobbit Unit, TBD outside novel for advanced, Essay Boot Camp, homophones, figurative language, punctuation, capitalization, non-fiction reading & writing practice, Cornell Notes, district assessment TBD, inference, vocabulary, elements of plot, book report #1 (Due Oct), business letter, group discussions, The Hobbit essay (Due December), Yosemite trip (January), Creative Writing Contest (Adv. required- Due February 1), verb forms, spelling, reading informational texts (non-fiction), group discussion.
Semester 2
Roll of Thunder Unit, book report #2 (Due Jan), TBD outside advanced novel #2, 4-Way Test essay contest, creative writing contest (advanced only), vocabulary enrichment, verb forms, informational materials, writing a “How To...” document, book report #3 (Due March), spelling and roots/prefixes/suffixes, capitalization, dialogue punctuation, reading informational texts (non-fiction), persuasive writing, group discussion, Island Writing Project – writing narratives, spelling, editing & revision, vocabulary enrichment, forms of poetry, spelling and roots/prefixes/suffixes.
NO Late work, please. If you have a special consideration, email the teacher.
Essential standards: These are the primary goals for this year.
R1: I can cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says.
W1: I can write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
L1: I can demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
SL5: I can integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest.
W4: I can produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
L5: I can demonstrate an understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
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*** NOTE TO PARENTS***
It is CRUCIAL for PARENTS to reinforce what we are learning at school.
PLEASE CHECK THEIR HOMEWORK. Do not just ask if it is finished. Ask to SEE IT!!!
MISSING WORK - If a student is missing work, then All make-ups are available upon request. But they are responsible for their make-up work. Missing work can be found in the classroom in file folders on the YELLOW WALL. Go get it.
PARENTS ARE THE NUMBER ONE MOTIVATION FACTOR. STUDENT SUCCESS OR FAILURE IS DEPENDENT UPON THE PARENT. PLEASE BE AN ACTIVE PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS. THERE ARE 168 HOURS IN A WEEK, UNFORTUNATELY, I ONLY SEE THEM FOR 5 HOURS. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
USE HOMELINK!!!! CALL THE OFFICE AND GET YOUR PASSWORD!!!! This will keep you up to date with grades and late work.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
1. How can I get my grade up? - If you are not getting the grade you desire, it is usually because there are missing assignments. Solution? Go to the yellow wall and find the assignment you're missing and complete it. Quizzes can be arranged to be made up during break or lunch under teacher supervision.
2. What if I'm absent? - It happens. When you get back to school, copy someone's class agenda and figure out what you missed. Then go to the yellow wall and get your missing work. Then read it. Ask questions to peers and/or the teacher and then complete your work in a timely fashion. Turn it in.
3. Is there extra credit? - No. The coursework is important. If you skip something difficult, do not expect to do a word search to make up points. Go back and complete the missing assignment. If you lose your agendas, you can do an alternative assignment to make those up. See the teacher if this happens.
4. Will I get books? - Textbooks are kept in class. Novels sometimes go home. It depends. Novels can always be checked out to catch up if novels are not passed out for home use. RECORDINGS ONLINE can often be found and used at home to catch up too. Read along as you listen.
5. Where do I get missing work? - After a week is over, all extra papers get put in file folders on the yellow wall. Students have access to those daily.
6. How is advanced language different? - Students in the advanced class read additional novels outside of class, participate in more discussions, do more group projects, and extend their learning outside of the classroom (i.e.: going to see a play, such as Hamlet, at PCPA, visit Melodrama, etc.). They also participate in the Creative Writing Contest and the Rotary 4-way Test essay competition. Due to this, the pace of the class is faster and requires a more independently driven student.
7. How do I get my grade up in Advisory? - In advisory, we read non-fiction and do writing responses, silent read, and keep up with current events by watching CNN10 Student News. It is possible to make up CNNs by watching them at home on the computer.
8. Can I turn in late work? - Work should not be turned in late. If you have a special consideration, please notify the teacher prior to the turn-in date.
Thank you, Mr. Slater
My Syllabus below:
visit Mr. Slater's Webpage , old version for more photos