Welcome to Ms. Borrus's Class!
Contact Information
Email Address: bborrus@pway.org
Phone Number: 732-752-4457, x 5290
Best time to reach me: By phone: after school, or leave a message any time
Best way to reach me: email, any time
About me: I have been teaching in Piscataway since 2006, and here at Schor School since 2011. This year, I will again be teaching a Replacement Language Arts section for grade seven. I will also be co-teaching Language Arts 7 with Mrs. Connors for the third year in a row, and co-teaching Social Studies 7 sections with both Mr. Bartolino and Mrs. WIlson.
Certified in Secondary English, Elementary Education and Special Education, I have a BA in Literature/Writing and an MFA in Poetics. I am also a Teacher Consultant with the National Writing Project at Rutgers University.
In the Language Arts Literacy Resource Center, we stress reading comprehension and writing fluency. Students follow the grade-level syllabus for writing instruction, with supplemental materials and remediation directed toward individual strengths and needs as necessary. Students will also do independent reading throughout the year.
This year, we will be continue to implement a workshop mode in class for reading and writing, which will foster more independence in students and provide additional opportunities for teacher conferences and individualized instruction.
Students are encouraged to read at home for pleasure, twenty to thirty minutes per day. This can include books, graphic novels, magazines, newspapers, comic books, etc. Even closed captions on movies provide reading practice!
Homework will usually be assigned on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and possibly on other weekdays as well. All homework is graded for completion; well-done homework receives additional credit. Homework assignments are posted on the Schoology website. I'm looking forward to a wonderful year!
Middle School Grading Criteria for the RP class (new this year)
65% Assessments/ Projects/ Writing
20% Classwork and Participation
10% Homework
5% Independent Individualized Standard District Assessment
Please feel free to contact me throughout the year with any concerns about your child’s progress. Together, we can make sure that your child makes the most of this school year.