Syllabus

Welcome to 8th Grade English Language Arts/Reading

Welcome to 8th Grade English Language Arts/Reading!

Class Purpose

In English Language Arts/Reading (ELAR), you will be learning strategies, skills, and techniques that you will use for the rest of your life. This class will teach you to analyze and understand what you read whether it be a short story, novel, poem, a textbook, etc. You will also learn reading and writing strategies that will help you prepare for high school classes. ELAR class will also focus on vocabulary that is essential to successfully completing the 8th grade curriculum.

We will utilize these skills through: silent reading, shared reading, vocabulary practice, classwork exercises, quizzes, tests, projects, process papers and small group/individual conferences.

Supplies

In order to be successful each day, you will need the following:

  • Binder
  • Notebook paper
  • One spiral or composition notebook
  • A black or blue pen, and pencil (expected for all assignments in class)
  • A colored pen
  • Multipack of highlighters
  • Sticky Notes
  • Your agenda
  • Personal technology/device recommended (phone, tablet, laptop)

Grading Policies

The breakdown of your Quarterly grade will be the following:

Minor Summative 40% (30% for Honors classes)

Major Summative 60% (70% for Honors classes)

Examples of Minor Summative assignments:

Quizzes, graphic organizers, short pieces of writing, oral questions/discussions in class, exit tickets, journal entries

Examples of Major Summative assignments:

Unit tests, projects, performance tasks, process papers, presentations

See District Grading Policy for updated information.

Canvas

Notes, assignments, assessments, reviews, rubrics and reassessment information will be posted weekly on Canvas. Parent access is recommended. Students will be expected to keep up with Canvas modules and calendar.

Absences and Make-Up Work

For each excused absence, the number of days plus one day will be given to turn in daily work. Major assignments (book reports, projects, process papers, etc.) that were due on the day of the absence must be turned in upon return to school.

Students are responsible for informing the teacher when they have returned from an absence. Also, students are responsible for obtaining any make-up work that has been missed during an absence and routinely checking Canvas posts for missed work.

Daily Reading

Because of the nature of the class, each student will be expected to read at least twenty minutes per day. This book should be the students’ personal choice book from any library or home. Please ask your teacher or librarian for help selecting books appropriate for 8th grade. Reading check-ins will occur randomly.

Classroom Policies

In addition to the school’s code of conduct, we have class rules that we expect each student to follow:

    • Follow directions the first time they are given.
    • Be in your classroom on time when the tardy bell rings
    • As you enter class, be seated and working on bell-work
    • Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
    • Adhere to campus expectations regarding sanitary and safety protocols.
    • During remote learning, weekly attendance on Canvas will be expected.

Classroom Rewards and Consequences

  • When the rules are followed, students may receive positive reinforcement rewards. Ex: weekly ticket drawing for prizes
  • If a student chooses not to follow a rule, the following consequences will occur according to RCMS CHAMPS expectations:
  • Verbal warning
  • Detention
  • Office referral

We will complete this form to acknowledge that we have read and understand the rules and policies in this packet

Thank you, The 8th grade ELAR teachers