Course Description:
Welcome to the 8th grade English/Language Arts program at Bell Intermediate School. A combination of listening, reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills will be developed in order to enhance students’ understanding and study of literature while addressing the Eighth Grade Common Core Curriculum.
Course Objectives:
Students will increase reading comprehension and be able to cite textual evidence from the several texts we will analyze throughout the year.
Students will speak in academic language at all times while in class as well as actively listen.
Students will analyze various texts and connect the texts back to collection concepts.
Students will write effectively with voice for a variety of purposes and audiences
Students will communicate effectively with others
Students will think critically
Students will independently read novels and discuss their findings.
Students will effectively collaborate in groups for discussions and group projects.
Students will utilize technology to express their ideas and compose their writing.
Students will demonstrate the proper use of English language conventions and mechanics that include spelling, punctuation, and grammar
Suggested Course Materials:
Single-Subject Spiral Notebook (8 1/2 x 11, college rule)
Extra paper (So that you don’t have to rip out paper from your spiral notebook!)
#2 Pencils with an Eraser; Pens (colors- Blue, Red, Green, and Black); Highlighter, Dry- Erase Marker
Glue stick
Independent Reading Book (during tests and quizzes)
Small “Post-It” or Sticky Notes (To place in text books for notes)
Grading:
60% - Summative Assessments (Projects, Final Essays, Book Reports, Presentations)
30% - Formative Assessments (Group work, Quizzes, Selection Tests)
10% - Independent Practice* (Homework)
*Late work will not be accepted unless it is for an excused absence
Three Class Rules:
1. Be Respectful
2. Be Responsible
3. Be Ready
Following these rules allows our classroom to be a safe and productive learning environment.
Re-take Policy
Students may redo any formative assessment in which they received lower than a 75%.
However, the maximum score that can be earned on a re-take is a passing grade of 75%.
Re-takes are not available on summatives.