Final exam study guide and non-fiction article
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English 8 is a culmination class, reviewing and expanding upon everything you've learned in English so far. We've got two SOL tests this year--a writing one in March and a reading one in May. We'll be busy with one formal paper each grading term as well as smaller writing projects, reading projects, and vocabulary!
Each student will be expected to carry with them to class (and read-both in and outside of my room) two books each grading period. These can be fiction/non-fiction, or a combination of both. If students choose long books, I'm happy to "split" the book to give them longer to read, as long as they come to me asap to discuss this. The week book reports are due is not the time to tell me you didn't have time to read!
I've got a large selection of books in my room available for borrowing, as does the school library and local libraries. Between all of us, your child will have a huge selection to choose from! If they need help, send them my way! Please see my classroom library policies if you have questions!
English 8 Syllabus
Required Texts and supplies
Prentice Hall Literature (Grade 8)--distributed as needed*
Trade books--distributed as needed *
Binder, or section in a binder indicated by a divide
Spiral notebook or composition notebook, college-ruled
Flash Drive--can be shared with other classes as long as English has it's own folder
Stamp and envelope (during Author Letter unit--please do not send at the beginning of school)
*Any damaged texts will be replaced at a cost to students.
Course Description
The eighth-grade student will learn and apply interviewing techniques developing and delivering oral presentations in groups and individually. The student will demonstrate correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking. Students will evaluate, analyze, develop, and produce media messages. The student will plan, draft, revise, and edit writing, with emphasis on exposition and persuasion. The student will apply reading and writing skills in all subjects, as well as respond critically to literature. The student will continue development of vocabulary, with attention to connotations and figurative language. The student will continue to develop an appreciation for literary genres through a study of a wide variety of selections. The student will describe themes, make inferences, interpret cause and effect relationships, differentiate between fact and opinion, and draw conclusions from a variety of texts.
EssaysStudents will be expected to write daily in class and will focus on revising and editing to reach an appropriate final draft of various forms of writing. Each grading period, one major paper will be written on a specific assigned topic. Students will have the opportunity after the paper grade is given to revise for an improved score.
Book Reports
Reading, like anything else worth doing, only gets stronger with practice. I expect all of my students to read two books each grading period. These books will be in addition to classroom novels and may be of the student’s own choosing and approved by me. I have an extensive classroom library which students are free to borrow books from. Students may also check out books from the high school library, public library, or purchase their own to read.
Classroom Expectation
My expectations are simple:
1. Be on time and be prepared
2. Be positive and show me your best
3. Be patient and be polite
Cell Phone Policy
As per BVCPS guidelines, cell phones are only to be used in class for academic reasons. Text messaging and phone calls are not permitted during class time. Phones must be silenced and turned in during class. Any cell phone disruptions (texting, taking pictures, class, surfing the web, being on social media, etc. that does not have to do with class work authorized by me) will result in the cell phone being turned into the office to be collected at the end of the day.
Grading Policy
Student work will count as follows:
Homework 10%
Vocabulary 10%
Classwork/Quizzes 20%
Tests/Essays 30%
Book Reports/Projects 30%
Extra Credit
The simple answer is, I don’t give it. Students have plenty of opportunities in class to do the work provided to earn their grades. I work hard with each student to make sure they understand the course work. Each student has the ability to earn an A if they do the work to the best of their ability and on time.
Grading Scale:
A 95 – 100
A- 92 – 94
B+ 89 – 91
B 86– 88
B- 83 -85
C+ 80 -- 82
C 77 --79
C- 74 -76
D+ 71 -73
D 65 -70
F 0 -64
Late/Make-up Work Policy
It is the student’s responsibility at the high school level to come to me for late/missing/make-up work. If a student is present but does not turn in the assignment when collected, late work will result in a loss of 10% grade per day until turned in. If a student is absent, as per BVCPS policy, students have five days upon return to make up their work. Students will find their missing work on the missing work board. If a student need to take a test, they must schedule a time with me. Please let me know if you are going to miss class so I can get work to you before you go!
Academic Integrity
I spend a large amount of time explaining plagiarism and copying other people’s work. I am not interested in what someone on the internet has to say about a topic. I want to hear what my students have to say. Therefore, I have a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism in my class. If a student plagiarizes, he or she will get a zero, serve detention, and must make up that assignment to receive a grade for the grading period. Parents will also be notified.
Remember, if you can find it online, so can I! If you have a question, ask before it becomes an issue! Take pride in your work and in your ability to seek help if you are unsure of the proper way to cite someone else’s work.
Extra Help
I am available during before school, during lunch, and after school by appointment to help students. Please let me know if you need help with a paper, a reading assignment, or if you just have questions. I’ll be happy to schedule a time to guide you!
Each student will be expected to carry with them to class (and read-both in and outside of my room) two books each grading period. These can be fiction/non-fiction, or a combination of both. If students choose long books, I'm happy to "split" the book to give them longer to read, as long as they come to me asap to discuss this. The week book reports are due is not the time to tell me you didn't have time to read!
I've got a large selection of books in my room available for borrowing, as does the school library and local libraries. Between all of us, your child will have a huge selection to choose from! If they need help, send them my way! Please see my classroom library policies if you have questions!
English 8 Syllabus
Required Texts and supplies
Prentice Hall Literature (Grade 8)--distributed as needed*
Trade books--distributed as needed *
Binder, or section in a binder indicated by a divide
Spiral notebook or composition notebook, college-ruled
Flash Drive--can be shared with other classes as long as English has it's own folder
Stamp and envelope (during Author Letter unit--please do not send at the beginning of school)
*Any damaged texts will be replaced at a cost to students.
Course Description
The eighth-grade student will learn and apply interviewing techniques developing and delivering oral presentations in groups and individually. The student will demonstrate correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking. Students will evaluate, analyze, develop, and produce media messages. The student will plan, draft, revise, and edit writing, with emphasis on exposition and persuasion. The student will apply reading and writing skills in all subjects, as well as respond critically to literature. The student will continue development of vocabulary, with attention to connotations and figurative language. The student will continue to develop an appreciation for literary genres through a study of a wide variety of selections. The student will describe themes, make inferences, interpret cause and effect relationships, differentiate between fact and opinion, and draw conclusions from a variety of texts.
EssaysStudents will be expected to write daily in class and will focus on revising and editing to reach an appropriate final draft of various forms of writing. Each grading period, one major paper will be written on a specific assigned topic. Students will have the opportunity after the paper grade is given to revise for an improved score.
Book Reports
Reading, like anything else worth doing, only gets stronger with practice. I expect all of my students to read two books each grading period. These books will be in addition to classroom novels and may be of the student’s own choosing and approved by me. I have an extensive classroom library which students are free to borrow books from. Students may also check out books from the high school library, public library, or purchase their own to read.
Classroom Expectation
My expectations are simple:
1. Be on time and be prepared
2. Be positive and show me your best
3. Be patient and be polite
Cell Phone Policy
As per BVCPS guidelines, cell phones are only to be used in class for academic reasons. Text messaging and phone calls are not permitted during class time. Phones must be silenced and turned in during class. Any cell phone disruptions (texting, taking pictures, class, surfing the web, being on social media, etc. that does not have to do with class work authorized by me) will result in the cell phone being turned into the office to be collected at the end of the day.
Grading Policy
Student work will count as follows:
Homework 10%
Vocabulary 10%
Classwork/Quizzes 20%
Tests/Essays 30%
Book Reports/Projects 30%
Extra Credit
The simple answer is, I don’t give it. Students have plenty of opportunities in class to do the work provided to earn their grades. I work hard with each student to make sure they understand the course work. Each student has the ability to earn an A if they do the work to the best of their ability and on time.
Grading Scale:
A 95 – 100
A- 92 – 94
B+ 89 – 91
B 86– 88
B- 83 -85
C+ 80 -- 82
C 77 --79
C- 74 -76
D+ 71 -73
D 65 -70
F 0 -64
Late/Make-up Work Policy
It is the student’s responsibility at the high school level to come to me for late/missing/make-up work. If a student is present but does not turn in the assignment when collected, late work will result in a loss of 10% grade per day until turned in. If a student is absent, as per BVCPS policy, students have five days upon return to make up their work. Students will find their missing work on the missing work board. If a student need to take a test, they must schedule a time with me. Please let me know if you are going to miss class so I can get work to you before you go!
Academic Integrity
I spend a large amount of time explaining plagiarism and copying other people’s work. I am not interested in what someone on the internet has to say about a topic. I want to hear what my students have to say. Therefore, I have a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism in my class. If a student plagiarizes, he or she will get a zero, serve detention, and must make up that assignment to receive a grade for the grading period. Parents will also be notified.
Remember, if you can find it online, so can I! If you have a question, ask before it becomes an issue! Take pride in your work and in your ability to seek help if you are unsure of the proper way to cite someone else’s work.
Extra Help
I am available during before school, during lunch, and after school by appointment to help students. Please let me know if you need help with a paper, a reading assignment, or if you just have questions. I’ll be happy to schedule a time to guide you!