• Course Description: English 8

     

    Quarter 1: Narrative Unit – Standards RL.6, RL.7, RL.8, RL.11, W.3, W.4; RI.8, RI.9

    Quarter 2: Informational/Expository Unit – Standards - RI.5, RI.6, RI.7, RI.9, W.2, W.5; RL.9, RL.10, RL.12

    Quarter 3: Argumentative Unit – Standards - RI.8, RI.10, RI.11, W.1; RL.5, RL.6

    Quarter 4: Cumulative Review Unit – Standards – Standards previously covered through the year

     

    Overarching Concepts

    The following serve as fundamental concepts for all units of instruction within Eighth Grade English:

    • Construct new knowledge by engaging in self-directed inquiry and then use multiple resources to gain understanding
    • Synthesize new information with their current thinking/knowledge
    • Use a variety of reading and comprehension strategies in order to gain understanding and make meaning from a text
    • Use decoding skills to determine the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words
    • Use a recursive writing process and genre-specific strategies in order to produce clear and coherent writing that adheres to standard English grammar and conventions
    • Use a reciprocal communication process to evaluate and guide the delivery of ideas to an audience

     

    EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES: school-issued laptop (must be at least 50% charged when you come to class);11/2 inch binder; 5 dividers; notebook paper; pencils; black or blue ink pens; personal earbuds/headphones for electronic device use

     

    TEXTBOOK/TECHNOLOGY ONE-TO-ONE PLATFORM:  Collections Textbook, Grade 8 (online); Schoology (technology)

     

    TEACHER EXPECTATIONS:

    1. Students are expected to respect Ms. Holloway, themselves, and their classmates at all times.
    2. Students are expected to follow Ms. Holloway’s expectations, class rituals, and class routines at all times and be attentive during class.
    3. Students are expected to come to class on time, with all materials, and prepared for instruction.
    4. Students are expected to provide written responses that are detailed, provide concrete evidence, and in-depth thought-provoking.
    5. Students are expected to participate in all class discussions, collaborations, and presentations.
    6. Students are expected to have access to technology, either at home or at school, as most assignments will be electronically submitted.
    7. Students can expect to complete at least 30 to 45 minutes of homework at least two times a week with occasional homework assignments on some weekends.
    8. Students are expected to complete all assignments on time. Late assignments will not be accepted and grades of 0 will be assigned for late assignments. Homework grades of 0 will not be dropped unless the teacher decides otherwise.
    9. The teacher reserves the right to determine if assignment extensions are granted with the understanding that there is a 10-point deduction per day for each day of late work. The teacher reserves the right to waive the 10-point deduction if the completion of late work is the result of extenuating circumstances.
    10. Students may not have out cellphones or personal devices during class.

     

    GRADING PROCEDURES:

    Grading Weights:

    Classwork/Homework: 25%

    Quizzes: 35%

    Tests/Projects: 40%

     

    • Please make sure to check PowerSchool weekly for grade updates and missing assignments.
    • The teacher will update grades in PowerSchool weekly during mid-week and on Fridays.
    • It is the student’s responsibility to complete all missing assignments. Grades of 0 will be entered in PowerSchool for the week’s missing assignment. Students have until 11:59pm on the Sunday that ends the week’s assignments to complete/submit that week’s missing assignments. Grades of 0 will remain for assignments that have not been submitted by 11:59pm Sunday night. It is at the teacher’s discretion if she will re-open Schoology assignment folders at the progress report/report card period for students to complete missing assignments.
    • The teacher will extend missing assignment due dates at the teacher’s discretion.
    • If a student chooses or refuses to complete assignments during class, the student will receive a grade of 0 for the assignment, and the student will not be allowed to complete or make-up the assignment.
    • Students who talk or engage in disruptive behavior during quizzes, tests, or exams will receive a grade of 0 for that assessment. The student will not be able to make-up the assessment, and the grade will not be dropped.