Welcome to Language Arts

Welcome to 8th Grade Language Arts with Mrs. Fitch!

2025-2026

I am very excited to have you in my class. 

I am looking forward to getting to know you and helping you work to your maximum potential.  We have an exciting year ahead of us, and so much to do.  With your help, this class will be fun as well as challenging.

In order to make this the best school year possible, we need to lay a few ground-rules:

1.  Be on time.  Our time together is important.  Please be ready to work when the bell rings.  Please wait until the second half of class to ask for a bathroom pass.

2. Be prepared.  Bring your ELA binder, chromebook, a pen or pencil, and a highlighter.  Bring an independent reading book and/or whatever book we're reading!

3. Be respectful.  Listen when someone else is talking.  Be open to new ideas.  Be kind.  

4. Ask for help!  Please, if you don't understand what we're doing, ask for clarification.  I love to explain, elucidate, illuminate, and all other manner of teachery behaviors.

5. Please wait to be dismissed.  Please don't pack up early.  I won't keep you late.  I promise.

6. Do your best to focus and use class time well.  This means, among other things, leaving your cell phone in your locker.

7. When you're absent, check the daily agenda to see what you missed.  Please bookmark it on your chromebook. (This goes for music lessons, too.  Check in with me during TEAM if you miss class for lessons.)

You will need:

• A binder with two sections and lined paper.   (I give you handy-dandy handouts that are easier to organize in a binder.)

• A journal of your choice.  (This is to be kept separate from your notes.  A composition notebook will do.)

• Pens, pencils, and highlighters.  (Please have a dedicated pencil bag inside your binder.)

• Post-its

• A book!  (Either the class novel or your independent reading book)

• Earbuds--not bluetooth--the cheap kind with wires to keep in your pencil case

You will need these things every day.  Really.

Assignment Policy for Language Arts.

• Please turn your work in on time.

• Homework assignments will be accepted one day late for half credit.

• Writing assignments will be completed in class on the Google doc provided so that I may access the complete edit history.

• Come to class prepared to write with completed graphic organizers.

• Long term assignments will drop a grade each day it is late and will not be accepted after 3 days.

• Assignments on Google Classroom must be submitted by the deadline to receive full credit.

• If you cannot post an online assignment, turn in a written copy to me in class on the due date.

• Do your own work.  Work copied from another student or an online source will not receive credit.  Do not share answers with others.

These policies are subject to change with notice.