Language Arts Expectations
Students in grade eight will continue to build on Language Arts skills and strategies they have learned throughout their educational career. They will investigate and analyze a variety of types and genres of text. They will be expected to engage in independent reading and writing activities both in and out of class, and are expected to read at least one million words by the conclusion of eighth grade. The skills and strategies newly taught in eighth grade will not only prepare them for success on the state test in May, but will also prepare them for success in high school and beyond.
Attendance is very important! Students who attend school have opportunities to study material, complete activities designed to increase the amount of their understanding, and review and practice new learning. When a student misses school, he or she also misses these opportunities. The work we will be doing in this class is a foundation for work they will be expected to do in high school and on into college.
This year we will dive into the new Common Core Standards. We will be learning some skills that will help us be critical and creative thinkers. We will use a strategy called Close Reading to examine texts to help us gain meaning of ever challenging texts. Because the Common Core closely aligns History and Language Arts curricula, the focus in Language Arts this year supports the work being done in History.
Regular Language Arts:
Unit 1: Reading Closely "And, above all, we had to learn English"
Unit 2 : Urban Settings in America: It Happened in the City
Unit 3: Making Evidence Based Claims, "Ain't I a Woman et. al"
Unit 4: Researching to Deepen Understanding
Unit 5: Rural Settings in America "It happened in the Country"
Unit 6: Building Evidence Based Arguments
Unit 7: Looking Back on America
Honors Language Arts
Unit 1: Reading Closely "And, above all, we had to learn English"
Unit 2 : Hero's Journey including the novel The Giver
Unit 3: Making Evidence Based Claims, "Ain't I a Woman et. al"
Unit 4: Being a Good Consumer
Unit 5: Researching to Deepen Understanding
Unit 5: Understanding The Holocost novel The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Unit 6: Building Evidence Based Arguments
Unit 7: Understanding comedy
Course Expectations
You will be issued one textbook,Holt Language Arts and Literacy . We will not be using these textbooks within the classroom and you should LEAVE YOUR BOOK AT HOME unless specifically directed to bring them by your teacher. Books that are lost or damaged after being left in the classroom remain the responsibility of the student who checked it out – DO NOT leave your language arts books at school!
You will also be expected to read and respond to a variety of texts within the classroom. These will be provided by the teacher and are your responsibility to maintain.
Digital Reading & Writing Notebooks will be kept for the school year on a school blog. You are required to maintain appropriate netiquette when using your blog.
Vocabulary notebook(HONORS and AP ONLY) : it will be necessary for you to go purchase a composition book
Independent Reading will be your weekly homework. As an 8th grader, you are expected to read 1,000,000 words by the end of the school year. You will be participating in independent reading time each Wednesday and will complete an in-class reading reflection after each 30 minute reading period. You will also be expected to complete 2 Book Club letters and participate in two Schoology discussions each month. Your goal should be to read one or more books each month.
Technology Use is required for all Language Arts classes. In class you will either have access to an iPad or computers. Most assignments will be turned in electronically. It is your responsibility to get these assignments turned in. If you do not have access to technology at home, there are resources available at school and at the public library to help you. Your teachers will make every effort to help you, but you need to be responsible too. Do not come to your teacher on the day an assignment is due and say that you didn't have internet or ink or whatever and expect to get help. Plan for this in advance if this is an issue!
Recommended Supplies:
Grading Policy
Your grade will be calculated as follows:
Language (Conventions & Vocabulary) – 10%
Participation – 15%
Independent Reading (In Class Reflections, Book Club Letters, & Discussions) – 15%
Text Analysis – 30%
Writing – 30%
Grading Rubric
This grading rubric will be used to determine grades for each assignment. If you receive a NTY you will be required to red the assignment until it has met the standard. Do not think that if you can just "turn something in" and expect it to be given a grade.
Agendas
You will be expected to use your agenda daily.
A Note on Eighth Grade Promotion Requirements
In order to participate in the end of the year activities for eighth graders – including the promotion ceremony – you must end the school year with a grade point average of no less than 2.0. This means that you need to achieve a “C” or better in each class to participate. THIS CLASS COUNTS TOWARD YOUR GPA!
Looking forward to a great school year!
Ms. Baker and Miss Marsh
Attendance is very important! Students who attend school have opportunities to study material, complete activities designed to increase the amount of their understanding, and review and practice new learning. When a student misses school, he or she also misses these opportunities. The work we will be doing in this class is a foundation for work they will be expected to do in high school and on into college.
This year we will dive into the new Common Core Standards. We will be learning some skills that will help us be critical and creative thinkers. We will use a strategy called Close Reading to examine texts to help us gain meaning of ever challenging texts. Because the Common Core closely aligns History and Language Arts curricula, the focus in Language Arts this year supports the work being done in History.
Regular Language Arts:
Unit 1: Reading Closely "And, above all, we had to learn English"
Unit 2 : Urban Settings in America: It Happened in the City
Unit 3: Making Evidence Based Claims, "Ain't I a Woman et. al"
Unit 4: Researching to Deepen Understanding
Unit 5: Rural Settings in America "It happened in the Country"
Unit 6: Building Evidence Based Arguments
Unit 7: Looking Back on America
Honors Language Arts
Unit 1: Reading Closely "And, above all, we had to learn English"
Unit 2 : Hero's Journey including the novel The Giver
Unit 3: Making Evidence Based Claims, "Ain't I a Woman et. al"
Unit 4: Being a Good Consumer
Unit 5: Researching to Deepen Understanding
Unit 5: Understanding The Holocost novel The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Unit 6: Building Evidence Based Arguments
Unit 7: Understanding comedy
Course Expectations
You will be issued one textbook,Holt Language Arts and Literacy . We will not be using these textbooks within the classroom and you should LEAVE YOUR BOOK AT HOME unless specifically directed to bring them by your teacher. Books that are lost or damaged after being left in the classroom remain the responsibility of the student who checked it out – DO NOT leave your language arts books at school!
You will also be expected to read and respond to a variety of texts within the classroom. These will be provided by the teacher and are your responsibility to maintain.
Digital Reading & Writing Notebooks will be kept for the school year on a school blog. You are required to maintain appropriate netiquette when using your blog.
Vocabulary notebook(HONORS and AP ONLY) : it will be necessary for you to go purchase a composition book
Independent Reading will be your weekly homework. As an 8th grader, you are expected to read 1,000,000 words by the end of the school year. You will be participating in independent reading time each Wednesday and will complete an in-class reading reflection after each 30 minute reading period. You will also be expected to complete 2 Book Club letters and participate in two Schoology discussions each month. Your goal should be to read one or more books each month.
Technology Use is required for all Language Arts classes. In class you will either have access to an iPad or computers. Most assignments will be turned in electronically. It is your responsibility to get these assignments turned in. If you do not have access to technology at home, there are resources available at school and at the public library to help you. Your teachers will make every effort to help you, but you need to be responsible too. Do not come to your teacher on the day an assignment is due and say that you didn't have internet or ink or whatever and expect to get help. Plan for this in advance if this is an issue!
Recommended Supplies:
- pencils with sharpener or mechanical pencil and lead
- headphones
- black or blue pens
- binder paper (enough for the school year)
- Binder with dividers ( used for all your classes)
- Composition Book ( HONORS and AP only)
- 3 highlighters of different colors
- 12 pack of colored pencils
- ipad stylus
Grading Policy
Your grade will be calculated as follows:
Language (Conventions & Vocabulary) – 10%
Participation – 15%
Independent Reading (In Class Reflections, Book Club Letters, & Discussions) – 15%
Text Analysis – 30%
Writing – 30%
Grading Rubric
This grading rubric will be used to determine grades for each assignment. If you receive a NTY you will be required to red the assignment until it has met the standard. Do not think that if you can just "turn something in" and expect it to be given a grade.
Agendas
You will be expected to use your agenda daily.
A Note on Eighth Grade Promotion Requirements
In order to participate in the end of the year activities for eighth graders – including the promotion ceremony – you must end the school year with a grade point average of no less than 2.0. This means that you need to achieve a “C” or better in each class to participate. THIS CLASS COUNTS TOWARD YOUR GPA!
Looking forward to a great school year!
Ms. Baker and Miss Marsh