Course Overview

Beginner ESOL(WIDA proficiency levels 1.0-2.5) builds a basic English foundation with expectations to further develop grammar, sentence patterns, vocabulary, research skills, and confidence. Some of the activities that you can expect are class/group presentations, writing compositions, fluency exercises, real-world reading assignments, paired research and active and ongoing participation evaluations. This class is designed to improve your practical ability as well as, understand and use content vocabulary from your courses. 

Classroom Supplies

• CHARGED Chromebook every day! 

• Provided workbook

Expectations 

*You are expected to arrive to class on time. 

*You are expected to come prepared with your CHARGED chromebook and workbook.

*You are expected to respect others (and their property) and receive respect 

* You are expected to do your best! 😊

Procedures

*Come to class, take a seat, and begin your Bell Ringer assignment on the front board

*Raise your hand to ask a question

*Turn in assignments on time.

* Wait until the teacher dismisses you to leave class

Behavior Management 

*For a detailed list of steps taken for inappropriate behavior, please refer to your handbook.

- Respect your classmates and teacher. 

- Respect all classroom furniture and supplies

- Voices are to remain at a comfortable level. 

- No singing or beating on the desk (or anything else) in a rhythmic form. 

- Cell phones are not to be visible. If you have one it should be off and in your backpack.

- No food, gum or drink other than bottled water.

Grading and Evaluation 

Most of your grades will come from classwork, tests, and quizzes. Bryson MS runs on a 50%-50% policy. Please note that classroom participation is mandatory.

• Major Grades  50% (Tests, Quizzes, Projects)

• Minor Grades  50% (Participation, Classroom assignments, Any Homework)

A=100-90 B=89-80 C=79-70 D=69-60 F=59 and below

Syllabus

ELA 8

Teacher

Mrs. Monica Heller

Contact Information

Phone: 864-355-2154

Email: mheller@greenville.k12.sc.us

Textbook

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Collections 8

Course Title

English Studies 8th

Course Description

English Studies 8 is designed to prepare students for College and Career readiness as required by the South Carolina State Standards. The curriculum exposes students to a variety of genres, both literary and informational.

Course Outline

Unit 1: Literary Study/Narrative Writing

Unit 2: Informational Texts/Informational Writing

Unit 3: Informational Texts/Argumentative Writing

Unit 4: Literary Study/Literary Analysis

Required Materials

Binder (1-inch)

Dividers (5)

Loose-leaf paper

Pencils

Pens (black/blue)

Chromebook

Classroom Expectations

The classroom rules are as follows and are in addition to school wide rules:

§ Students will bring all needed materials to class.

§ Students will follow directions the first time they are given.

§ Students will remain in their seat unless they have permission to do otherwise.

§ Students will be respectful of others at all times.

§ Phones are not permitted in class unless otherwise instructed. Devices must be powered off and kept out of sight in backpack.

If you choose to break a rule: See student/parent handbook. Each student will have a private discussion with me when rules are broken. We will work together to develop an action plant to follow rules in order to maximize learning for all.

Grading Policy

The Uniform Grading Policy approved by the State Board of Education is effective for all students enrolled in unit-bearing classes, including those offered at the middle school level. Students will receive numeric grades for all subjects using the grading scale below:

A 90-100

B 80-89

C 70-79

D 60-69

F 59 and below

GFA: Grading Floor Applied= 50/F

NHI: Not Handed In= 50/F

Late Work Policy

Students are encouraged to use time before school, after school and during SAIL to complete assignments to avoid late work. If a student is absent on the date an assignment is assigned, the student will have 5 days without penalty to make up the assignment.

Redo/Retake/Revision Procedures

• Students may turn in late work or be allowed to retake at least one major assessment without penalty within the first seven weeks of the quarter.  

• Students (with parent signature) must submit their request for a redo/retake within one school week of the graded assessment being returned.

• When a student retakes a major assessment, the original grade will be overwritten and the most recent grade recorded. The original grade will be noted as a comment in the gradebook.  

• There is no point penalty for late work or retaking an assessment.

• A student will receive an NHI (Not Handed In) in the grade book when he or she does not turn in an assessment. 

• A student with one or more NHIs may be denied certain privileges or held accountable for the assignment(s) until the work has been completed and returned to the teacher. 

• The teacher will determine any remediation or other requirements necessary for the student to complete prior to retaking a major assessment. This will be documented on the Redo/Retake Form. 

• In addition to remediation requirements, clearance of NHIs on minor assessments leading up to the major assessment may be required before the retake is allowed.

• Retakes will cover the same standards but may not be the original assessment or assignment. Alternative assignments may be required at the teacher’s discretion since some assignments may not be replicated. 

• Students may not request a redo/retake on work handed in late.

• Test corrections of incorrect answers may be allowed in place of a full retake, as deemed appropriate by the teacher. Test corrections may result in partial credit returned. 

• A copy of the Retake/Redo form will be located in the teacher’s classroom.