Syllabus

ELA 8

Greer Middle School 2023-24

Erich Sturgill

Phone: (864) 355-5876

Email: esturgil@greenville.k12.sc.us

Website: 

Course Description: 

Students completing my English 8 classes will be able to use personal experience, the printed word and information gained from observations as a basis for constructing meaning.  Through the accomplishment of this goal each student will also attain a level of mastery in each of the standards mandated by the state of South Carolina.  You can find a copy of these standards on the SC Department of Education website.  We will use fiction (novel, short story, poetry, drama), and informational texts as the basis for our reading instruction. Writing will include personal narratives, informational writing, literary analysis, argument and text-dependent analysis. Students will also participate in individual and group research projects and presentations. 

Learning Objectives for the Course:

Students will be able to..

*explain how literary elements and techniques contribute to the theme of a poem or song

*explain how tone or mood affect the theme of a poem or song

*trace the development of a character in a short story or novel

*explain how writer’s craft contributes to tone and theme of a short story or novel

*support a literary analysis with textual evidence

*draw from various perspectives and sources of information to support a claim

*Identify relevant evidence and address counter-arguments to support a claim

*gather and present information to inform

*correctly use and cite sources

*write a narrative using literary and plot elements to communicate meaning

Course Outline/Pacing/Scope and Sequence: 

First Quarter

This I Believe narrative writing (or Who I Admire)

Poetry

Begin novel study of The Outsiders (8th)

Second Quarter

Complete novel study of The Outsiders (all)

Informational Research--careers (8th)

Third Quarter

Argument #1 (student choice/ PSA)

Argument Part 2 (school improvement)

Fourth Quarter

Argument and the TDA

Research with Heroes and Leaders

The Diary of Anne Frank (8th)

Materials needed:

•  one-subject notebook for daily/ personal writing experiences

• A Chromebook

Classroom Expectations:

• Our best classes are filled with people--no cliques!

• Our job is to find your strength--we will work together but only you will discover it. 

• We are going to write every day.

• We are going to read every day. 

Grading Policy/Practices:

• Minor grades - at least 8 per quarter and minor grades count for 50% of grade.

• Major grades - at least 3 per quarter and major grades count for 50% of grade.

Late Work Procedures:

In order to receive full credit for make-up work, all work must be submitted within five days, immediately following the absence. In cases of prolonged illness beyond five days, special consideration will be given. It is the responsibility of the students, not the teachers, to arrange for make-up work.  Work assigned before the absence or field trip will be due the day the student returns.  Tests assigned before the absence will be taken on the scheduled test date or date arranged with the teacher.  If a student misses a test or quiz while absent, on the first day back, arrangements should be made with the teacher to make up the assessment within five days.  In general, work is to be made up before or after school in order not to miss more class time. Students are encouraged to check teacher websites, Google Classroom, and Google Calendars for assignments during any absence.

Greer Middle Redo/Retake Policy:

Greer Middle School is implementing a Redo/Retake Plan as a strategy to help ensure the mastery of content for our students and encourage our students to have a growth mindset regarding their academic work. Mastery is considered 80 percent or higher. Our guidelines for a redo/retake plan have been designed with input from teachers, administrators, parents, and students to ensure consistent implementation school-wide. 

When are students allowed to redo/retake?  

Only assignments that are categorized as major grades in the gradebook are available for redo/retake. 

Redo/Retake Information 

- The student, parent, and teacher must sign Redo/Retake Request Form 

- The student must submit the Redo/Retake Request Form within three (3) school days of the grades being posted in Backpack. 

- The higher of the two grades will be recorded in the Gradebook. 

- Redo/Retake assessments will cover the same standards, but the format and questions will be determined by the teacher. Alternative assignments may be required at the teacher’s discretion. 

Redo/Retake Steps 

- The student must complete and submit the Redo/Retake Request Form (found under Student tab on Greer Middle Website) within three (3) school days of the grades being posted in Backpack. 

- Students must complete the Relearning Tasks assigned by their teacher on the Redo/Retake Request Form by the deadline given by the teacher.

- If a student will be retaking a test, they must take it at the pre-arranged date/time; if a student will be redoing an assignment that is not a test, they must turn it in by the redo deadline.

 - If students miss the deadline and/or pre-arranged date/time, the redo/retake will not be allowed. If there are extenuating circumstances, contact the grade-level administrator.

Retake Request Form:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WryDjDnXxWv9kUwcU06qQwQucMKenvZi/view

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