8th Grade Language Arts & Social Studies

Ms. Dashti

Email: nadashti@seattleschools.org
Phone: (817) 602-9378
Time Available: 9:35 to 11:10; before and after school

Teacher Bio:
This is my first year at Denny Middle School; however, this is my tenth year as a teacher in the public school system. I taught in Fort Worth, Texas, for four years and Denver, Colorado, for five. Moving to Seattle and choosing Denny Middle School was the best decision I have ever made.
In terms of my educational history, I received a B.S. in Communication Disorders in 1995; M. Ed. in Special Education in 1998; and M. Ed. in Leadership in 2006. I am definitely a lifelong learner and make every effort to encourage my students to do the same.
When I’m not at school, I do yoga, bike, lift weights or walk my dogs. I enjoy reading ghost stories, autobiographies, and self-help books; my all-time favorite book is Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt.

Standards for Language Arts:
Reading:
The student understands different skills and strategies to read.
The student understands the meaning of what is read.
The student reads different materials for a variety of purposes.
The student sets goals and evaluates progress to improve reading.

Writing:
The student writes clearly and effectively.
The student writes in a variety of forms for different audiences and purposes.
The student understands and uses the steps of the writing process.
The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of written work.

Course Description

In my classroom, students are granted ownership through choosing their own topics and goals for improvement, and through reviewing their own progress. Through collaborative, small-group setting and hands-on activities, students are actively engaged in the learning process. In class, students are exposed to a wide and rich range of literature with primary emphasis on comprehension. I read aloud to students and allocate time for independent reading.

This year, as a special project, my students may read to elementary/kindergarten students at a nearby school during their language arts-social studies block on Fridays. Additionally, I strongly encourage students to be part of the Guided Reading Club which will take place in a coffee shop or at a nearby bookstore on Saturdays (starting 9/22).

As a result of taking this class, my students will show improvement in their reading habits, comprehension, and attitudes toward reading and writing for leisure. A standardized test for reading and writing will be used to determine level of performance. Also a norm-referenced test is administered to identify months/years of growth compared to previous years. Furthermore, daily or weekly teacher-made assessments will be given in both language arts and social studies to measure comprehension of information taught during class.

Materials: I use variety of resources throughout the year. In addition to on-grade and at/above-performance level reading books, I use Studio Course, Writing Academy, Florida Center for Reading Research, Language Enrichment II and Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop.

Standards for Social Studies:
Upson completion of this course, students will be able to:
* Describe the geographic features of Washington State and explain how growth and development is influenced by physical environment.
* Know the cultural characteristics of the first inhabitants of Washington and the results of cultural interactions between Native Americans and other groups that settled in Washington.
* Explain how and why government developed by stages in the Pacific Northwest from Hudson Bay Company through provisional, territorial and, ultimately, state governments.
* Be familiar with the variety of contributions made by individuals and groups to the growth and development of the Pacific Northwest.
* Know that natural resources are important to the economy and to the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest, and know why responsible management of resources is necessary.
* Understand the economic diversity of Washington and be familiar with sources that provide data on Pacific Northwest industries.
* Know the structure and function of local and state government and know how citizens can participate and are served by the various levels of government.

Course Description:

In social studies this year, students will learn about Washington States geography, history, government, and economy. Main teaching methodology will encompass activities that engage students in inquiry and problem solving about significant human issues. Through an interactive cooperative classroom setting with mixed ability levels, students will build on their prior knowledge and make connections between concepts in social studies and everyday living experiences such as American social institutions, issues for social groups, and problems of everyday living. Students will also make connections with American and global history, the history and culture of diverse social groups, and the environment that surrounds them.

In terms of materials, students will explore the whole array of literature, from Western and non-Western sources, different time periods, cultures, and ethnic groups which will enable them to view concepts, issues, events, and themes from the perspective of diverse ethnic and cultural groups. However, the primary textbooks for this course are The Washington Story and Discovering Washington.