Grade 8 Language Arts
“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”
— Anne Frank
UPDATED HOMEWORK POLICY FOR QUARTERS 2, 3, AND 4:
Dear Parents and Students,
WELCOME TO QUARTER 2!! This has been an exceptionally difficult beginning to a completely unprecedented school year. The students have been patient, kind, and working diligently. I am very proud of them!
Each school year the homework policy that I put in my syllabus has usually been the same. However, the syllabus that I started the year was very “short” because I had no idea what to expect. Now that we are settled into the new nine weeks, I am going to return to the policy that I use in conjunction with the school’s policy.
Students who do not complete an assignment receive a 0%. The student has one day to make that up for partial credit. Please remember there are a variety of homework assignments including but not limited to grammar, vocabulary, writing, and projects. (This is true for virtual students too. It is not the same for a student who is absent.)
The first 0% will get partial credit if turned in by the next class period. Many times, students will have to put a note in the planner that the work was not done, and I will sign it. They will be instructed to have you sign it too. Some even email their parents and “cc” me so that we are all on the same page.
After the second 0%, I will still be emailing home, and the student will still receive partial credit . On the third 0%, I will still email or even call home to let you know that the student will receive a referral for detention on the very next 0%, and the student will still get partial credit. By the 4th 0%, there will not be partial credit and everyone will be contacted about the referral for detention.
Please check your student’s Sapphire account to see the grades. PLEASE DO NOT rely on Google Classroom for grades. However, every week there is an agenda on Classroom that includes the work for the week. Every Monday we have also been putting everything in the planner. Students know that the “agenda and homework” can be updated/changed at any time.
TUTORING:
If your child needs any type of help with English, he/she can ask me to write a tutoring referral or he/she can sign up in the main office. After school tutoring is on Monday’s from 3:20 until 5:45 (or late bus pick up time). This year, we also have virtual tutoring from 4:30 to 5:30. If virtual tutoring is selected, the student can sign up ahead of time online or sign in the night of the tutoring. We have been doing virtual tutoring for several weeks. I did ask that links for it be added to the BEA Website.
VIRTUAL TUTORING FORM
Anyone may sign up for Monday or Wednesday Virtual Tutoring. It is from 4:30 until 5:30. Once you fill out the form (link below), you will receive an email with the Zoom Invite. You can log on anytime between 4:30 and 5:30 UNLESS YOU ARE REQUIRED BY YOUR TEACHER TO ATTEND THE ENTIRE SESSION.
docs.google.com/forms/d/1_rhphIxKsKjFtr-XO2tv8oIXcN4YZDJxyiybopIbcsU/edit
Mrs. Butler’s Grade 8 Language Arts Class Syllabus
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to 8th grade Language Arts! This year will be exciting with a variety of types of writing, reading, and grammar. You will become the author of your own path this year. We will be using many study tools and tips in this class that you can use in other classes this year as well.
Information that you need to know:
1. Students will need to have a 3-ring binder. You may share this notebook with
one other class if there is a divider page in the notebook.
2. Every day, students need to bring a school issued planner, a pencil or pen,
required textbooks, and LAPTOP.
3. PARENTS: Please make sure that your child shows you our Google
Classroom site. This is where assignments, links needed for work,
and any announcements for students will be posted.
4. Grading:
Assignments and class work will be graded using the English Department’s weighted grading scale as follows:
Tests & Quizzes comprise 50% of your grade
Tests = 35% (Includes: tests, final projects, final writing, final projects, etc.)
Quizzes = 15%
Homework & Classwork comprise the other 50% of your grade
Classwork = 35% (Includes: class participation, group work, independent reading,
project work, bellwork, rough drafts for writing & projects, etc.)
Homework = 15%
5. The following school policy has been in effect, but 8th graders do not always understand it. IT IS VITAL that students see their teacher(s) if they are going to be absent because of an appointment, an activity for school or home, or will miss class for any reason. The student is responsible for work that is due for that day –the day they are missing class---as well as work due the following day. (This is different than the absence policy for being ill.)
6. Homework Policy:
I grade homework using a “check” system.
When I put a “checkmark and a plus sign” on the paper, it’s 100%; a “checkmark” alone is 75%; and a “check with a minus sign” is 50%.
Homework may be graded for completeness and accuracy. There are times that a homework assignment will be graded and used as a grade in a different category. For example, a take home test or quiz, the completion of a writing assignment, etc. will go into a different category listed above. Students will always know how items will be graded.
7. Late Work: Students may turn in late work for half credit up to two days after it is due. I will follow school policy for uncompleted work.
8. I urge students to sign up for the tutoring either during lunch or after school. At lunch, students may eat lunch in the tutoring room and can choose to return to lunch once finished. They may also sign up for after school tutoring. They can sign up to ride the late bus or can leave at any time when a parent signs the student out. They DO NOT have to stay the whole time. Tutoring is not the same as an after school referral for detention. The teachers are there to provide a space where students can ask questions and work freely.
9. The absolute best way to reach me is at: renae.butler@beasd.net. Please feel free to email me with any questions. I look forward to getting to know the students this year!
I look forward to getting to know each and every student and hope that each learns skills that will be pertinent across many fields of study as well as life!
PERIOD 1
The Google Classroom Code is: y8qh0k
Parents, you must have a Google Email Account to access this site.
PERIOD 3/10
The Google Classroom Code is: 7h4m62z
Parents, you must have a Google Email Account to access this site.
PERIOD 4/5
The Google Classroom Code is: attouej
Parents, you must have a Google Email Account to access this site.