Syllabus

The Book Thief

• Notebook paper

• Ream of copy paper

• USB drive

• Pens with blue or black ink (work done in other colors or pencil will not be accepted)

• Two three prong, two pocket folders (colors to be determined)

• Planner/agenda

• Spiral notebook 70 pgs.

• Composition notebook

Grades

The following assessments are used to generate grades:

• oral presentation, projects and discussions

• folders, notebooks

• class participation

• class preparedness

• writing assignments

• grammar exercises

• reading and vocabulary quizzes

Grading scale: 91-100 = A, 81-90 = B, 71-80= C, 0-70 = F. Students are strongly encouraged to keep track of their own grades using the assignment sheet provided.

If there is ever a grade discrepancy concerning any test or project, an appointment must be scheduled to discuss the matter within the two week period after the assignment is returned. Appointments may be made during my conference period, the student’s lunch, or before and/or after school. Tutoring sessions will offered in the afternoons from 4:30 – 5:30. If there is no discrepancy, but a student wants to review a test as a means of improvement, the student may come at any time since teacher help is not necessary. Students receiving an F on any test are encouraged to come review and retake their test; all students have seven school days from the date the test/quiz was taken.

Plagiarism and Cheating

to plagiarize is to present another person’s words or ideas as if they were your own. Cheating is the giving or receiving of test information before or during test administration. This includes students telling students in other classes test information. Both of these are serious offenses that will not be tolerated. Any violation of the class honor code will result in a zero on the assignment with no possibility of a makeup. Students may use reference material, but credit must be given to the referenced author. See your instructor if there are any questions regarding the documenting of sources. Note: Papers will randomly be submitted to a search engine that checks for plagiarism.

Late Work

Assignments must be completed prior to the class upon which they are due for full credit. Each day that an assignment is late, one letter grade is deducted. After two late days, a zero is given. This policy is strictly enforced. Late work should be placed in to the Late Work Folder for your period with no disruption to the class in progress.

Tardies and Absences

Students’ on-time arrival and consistent attendance are vital to academic success. These steps are taken in the event of tardies: 1st offense = warning, 2nd offense = 2 demerits, 3rd offense =1^1/2 hr detention.

Please be aware that if a student is in attendance at anytime during a class period, s/he is responsible for the work due or testing done during that period. If you know you will be late to class, have a written note from the person who detained you (even if they tell you that you don’t need one). Also, even if you are only seconds late, make certain to sign your name in the Tardy Log Notebook upon entering class to avoid being marked absent.

Teacher Absences

As an instructor, we will be absent from class on some occasions. In the event that a substitute is teaching a class, all of the rules will still apply, instruction should not be interrupted. We have very capable substitutes, and it is expected that you treat them with the utmost respect.

Passes to Leave Class

Students should attempt to take care of all of their personal business in between classes, at lunch, or outside of school hours. If a student has a medical problem and needs to leave the room frequently, please provide a doctor’s note; allowances will be made.

Make-up Work

If a student is absent, the arrangement for make-up work is the student’s responsibility. Make-up work may be scheduled in the mornings prior to class, the student’s lunch break or after school. Students will normally have seven days to make up all make up work. Students wishing to make up a test grade will also have seven day after the assignment is graded to make up the grade.

Classroom Rules

• Mutual Respect

• Be IN your seat WHEN the bell rings.

• Raise your hand when you want to address the class.

• Absolutely no PROFANITY.

• Be prepared for class every day.

• Keep hands, feet and other objects to yourself.

• Keep your room/area clean.

Positive Consequences:

• positive comments on report card

• respect from teacher and peers

• phone call of praise to parents

• extracurricular activities

Negative Consequences:

• verbal warning on 1st offense

• demerit and phone call home on 2nd offense

• demerit and or detention on 3^rd offense

Novels:

Over the course of this year, we will be reading three novels. We will start our school year with our Eighth grade read, "Tears of a Tiger" by Sharon Draper which we will begin reading Tuesday, September 3, 2013. Our school wide read follow with, “Trino's Choice” by Diane Gonzales Bertrand which we will begin reading Tuesday, October 8, 2013. Each student must purchase these books!! Trino's Choice can be purchased here in the CMS library. Our third book will be “A Raisin in the Sun” by Loraine Hansberry which we will begin reading Monday, November 18, 2013.

Projects/Book Reports:

Projects or book reports will accompany all novels. Students will have four weeks after we complete a novel to complete and submit all projects or book reports associated with that particular novel. A rubric will be given with expectations for each project or book report. NO PROJECT or BOOK REPORT will be accepted LATE.

Miscellaneous:

There will be many times when it will be required for a student to turn an assignment typed. If the student does not have a computer available to him/her at home, he/she should come to me in advance so that I can reserve a computer for them in the computer lab or library. Students with permission are allowed to use the computer labs before and after school. Not having a computer at home will not be an excuse for not completing an assignment. Students are allowed to print in the library for $.5.