English 8 Honors Syllabus/Expectations

Dear Parents and Students:

Welcome to 8th Grade English Honors!  I look forward to an engaging and enriching new school year working with all of you.  As someone who is now in his 32nd year in education - his eighth at Pacific Trails Middle School - I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to be beginning another year as a PTMS Wolf!

My main goal this year is to assist each student in achieving his or her potential while creating a safe, nurturing - yet academically challenging - classroom, while incorporating the Common Core State Standards.  My hope is that each student, on a daily basis, comes to class prepared and ready to master the purpose of that particular day.  My goal is for  each student to reach his/her full academic potential.

Some skills we will cover on our journey this year are: reading comprehension, literary response and analysis, written and oral language conventions, and writing and speaking strategies. In order to master these skills we must work together to create a school and community environment that best provides students with the ability to learn.

Thank you for taking the time to read the following information.

English 8 Honors Course Objectives:

1. Practice high-school bound critical thinking skills through literary analysis and research (determining theme, understanding rhetoric/literary elements, author’s purpose, genre, etc.).

2. Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively through essay writing, grammar usage, class discussions, and oral presentations.

3. Students will compose and critique various forms of writing, including, but not limited to, narrative, expository, literary analysis, and argumentative.

4. Practice and integrate note-taking and listening skills during lectures and discussions.

Instructional Goals:

Although there are a number of instructional goals for students to reach during the school year, there are three main goals for English 8:

a. Each student will become an improved reader

b. Each student will become an improved writer

c. Each student will become an improved critical thinker 

Student Expectations:

        a. Be respectful

        b. Be responsible

        c. Be engaged

        d. Be “present” (on task/avoid distraction)

        e. Always do his or her best

Basic Class Materials/Supplies 

        a. electronic device to appropriately attend live class presentations & to access curriculum

        b. spiral notebook or composition book

        c. a folder or three-ring binder (may share with other classes)

         d. pens & pencils 

         e. highlighters

        f. the literature that we are currently reading/studying

        g. school-issued student agenda (or other daily organizational system)

Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty:

        a. Although there are numerous opportunities to engage in academic dishonesty and the temptation to do so has never been higher, it is important for students to understand that this behavior is always unacceptable and grounds for a referral and a zero without the chance to make up an assignment or assessment (See SDUHSD Academic Honesty Policy for more information)

       b. Students who are caught engaging in academic dishonesty will be referred to administration and parents will be notified

Consequences for Not Following The Guidelines/Expectations

1.    1st Warning – warning and documentation (teacher speaks with student)

2.    2nd Warning – action plan & parent contact

3.    3rd Warning – disciplinary referral

4.    Severe Clause – Any student who cheats, plagiarizes, uses profanity, fights, damages school property (this includes property of the teacher and/or other students), or displays disrespect (as defined by the teacher) will be sent to the office immediately.

Attendance:

        a. All students are REQUIRED to attend class on time on a regular basis

        b. Regular attendance will be taken near the start of each class

        c.  Class participation is vital to demonstrate understanding of the various concepts we will cover

        d. When absent, it is the student’s responsibility to check Google Classroom   and/or the class website to keep up with assigned work

       e. Excessive absences are cause for concern and parent contact

        f. Students with  an unexcused absence may NOT make up the work they missed

Course Communication:

       a. Important announcements, assignments, dates & other instructional resources will be stated in class & posted in Google Classroom on a regular basis

       b. Students are responsible for regularly checking (Monday through Friday) Google Classroom, their school email & the class website  for the most up-to-date information regarding our class.  Failure to regularly check will lead to missing important class announcements/information that will impact student performance and student grades

       c. Students are strongly encouraged to advocate for themselves (ask questions, speak with the teacher individually, utilize email/private messaging, use Homeroom, etc.)

Personal Technology in the Classroom

       a. Technology plays an important role in most of our lives. This year, students will be provided with a Chromebook from the school; students will be expected to bring and use this school device (fully charged) to English class

       b. When the tardy bell rings, cell phones must be turned OFF and stored in a closed backpack, purse or bag. Parents who need to contact their child during school hours should call the school office at (858) 509-1000

       c. Personal Electronic Devices/Cell Phone Violations:  1st Offense: the device will be placed on the teacher's desk & the student will pick it up at the end of class.  2nd Offense: Device will be sent to the office and parents will need  to pick it up from the front office at the end of the school day.  3rd Offense:  Device will not be allowed in the classroom (student will need to leave device in front office before the start of class)

      d. Upon entering the classroom, students should start their Chromebook devices (if it has not already been started).  Then, students should close their device until further instructions from the teacher.  Unless given instructions to open and to use, Chromebook devices should always remain closed.  Please listen for ongoing instructions from the teacher.

Anticipated Texts

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (novel)                   

To Kill a Mockingbird  by Harper Lee (novel)

Literary Circle Novel (student selection)

“The Landlady” by Roald Dahl

“Ribbons” by Laurence Yep

“The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury

“The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury

“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe 

“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe

Other Instructor Selections from Elements of Literature Text – by Holt Rinehart Winston

Homework:

        a. Homework assignments, including projects, are to be submitted by the due date/time

         b.  If students are absent on the day an assignment is due, they are expected to submit the completed assignment the next school day (unless other arrangements have been made with the instructor)

        c. Students are expected to check in with the teacher, the class website and/or Google Classroom BEFORE they return from an absence to be sure they are up to date on the work and the reading

       d. All late work is accepted (unless otherwise communicated to the students).  However, unexcused assignments submitted late will be marked down  for each day they are late.  Submitting work late consistently will negatively affect student grades ... respect your deadlines

Make-Ups:

        a. Make-ups for tests, quizzes, projects, (etc.) are the responsibility of the student (Homeroom is an ideal time for this!)

        b. Students are expected to make an appointment with the teacher for a make-up test/quiz

Grading Scale:

A= 90-100% B= 80-89% C= 70-79% D= 60-69%

        a. Grades will be based on a variety of assignments including (but not limited to): assessments, homework, journals, projects, class discussions & participation, independent reading, speeches, and essays/other writing assignments

        b. Grades will NOT be “rounded up” at the end of a quarter/semester

Food and Drink

       a. Food & gum are not permitted during class / in the classroom (consistent violations will result in a consequence)

        b. Water is acceptable and encouraged

Individual Support:

       a. For individual assistance, students are encouraged to request a Homeroom "pass" or make an appointment for before or after school.  

       b. Students desiring a Homeroom "pass" must request one either the morning of or the preceding day

       c. In general, students who have the most success in English 7 are those who advocate for themselves and who seek assistance when necessary

Top 10 Guidelines for Success:

1. Be present & prompt

2. Be prepared (this includes bringing appropriate materials & preparing devices at the start of class)

3. Cell phones must be put away and turned off during class time. English 7 is a NO PHONE class (except during designated breaks or unless engaging in a specified activity)

4. Listen & follow directions

5. ASK QUESTIONS!

6. RESPECT the people in our classroom community; use your manners

7. Be honest & accountable for your actions. We are a COMMUNITY

8. Use your time wisely; avoid procrastination

9. Stay on task & work towards putting your best work forward to completion

10. Work responsibly & use appropriate language

Your education is of utmost importance. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns.  Have a wonderful school year!!

Sincerely,

Jeff Copeland

English 8 Honors Teacher