8th Grade Language and Literature Syllabus
COURSE OVERVIEW
Welcome to 8th Grade Language & Literature! In eighth grade Language & Literature, we focus on reading, writing and communication skills, taking you from where you are now to a higher level of skill. This year, we will read a variety of literature including novels, short stories and poetry. Outside reading continues to be an important part of the eighth grade curriculum. You will be writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. My goal is to help you make as much progress as possible, and I hope that each one of you will have a successful and memorable eighth grade year!
EXPECTATIONS
Students are expected to show up prepared for class every day, participate positively in daily class activities, as well as complete long-term projects/assignments and assessments.
All assignments are due by the assigned due date and time in Google Classroom or in class (if on paper).
You are responsible for keeping track of your assignments so write them down each day in your agenda, on Google Calendar OR in Google Keep.
Assignments consist of writing or reading, genre writing assignments, essays, unit tests, quizzes, projects, and homework.
REQUIRED RESOURCES AND SUPPLIES
1. Workbook. This will be used every day.
2. Writing utensil. Pencil or pen (preferably blue or black).
3. Outside Reading Book: You will select your first book during the first full week of school. You can bring one from home.
You will be required to have The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton by winter break. All students will read this book. If you would like to purchase a personal copy, please do so.
YEARLY OVERVIEW
Unit One: Short stories and poetry (Narrative and Figurative Language)
Unit Two: The Outsiders (Novels and analytical writing)
Unit Three: Informative writing (Biography, Research, Podcasts)
Unit Four: Persuasion (Book Study)
HOMEWORK
Most homework will consist of completing work assigned in class. If class time and Advisement are used well, there shouldn’t be a lot of homework, if any.
HOWEVER
Outside Reading:
We have a novel that students will be assigned to read. There will be time to read in class once a week, starting immediately, but during the novel, students may need to read at home to keep pace.
In addition to reading the class novel, students are responsible for reading books on their own. The expectation is for students to read a minimum of TWO outside books per trimester.
Students are allowed to choose their own book to read, with the expectation that they will challenge themselves with books of varying genres. (Please see the letter about outside reading for more details.)
Students will be asked to discuss their book both in class and online. In addition to the discussions, students will complete a reading reflection each trimester. At the start of each trimester, students will set an individual reading goal and will need to read consistently to meet this goal.
Please contact me with concerns about any of the books that your students are reading.
Audiobooks are acceptable, and in fact encouraged depending on the students skill level and or level of outside-of-school-activities.
GRADES
Grades are broken down by the following:
Summative: Final unit assessments - 60%
Formative: Assignments leading up to the unit assessment (Quick writes, exit tickets, lessons or activities, quizzes, etc.) - 30%
Work habits: Homework, Social Contract, Syllabus, Participation, Behavior/professionalism, Outside Reading Log, etc. - 10%
MAKE-UP WORK/LATE WORK POLICY
It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the teacher about make-up work after an absence. Anything after that will be considered late and counted as missing until it is turned in. Students can not receive and 8 on work turned in late.
REVISIONS
Any summative assignment can be redone, one time, for up to 100% credit after conferring with the teacher to discuss any changes that need to be made. The original writing piece must show changes made by using Suggesting in Google Docs. All revisions must be completed by the end of the unit, or last day work is collected for that trimester, whichever comes first.
ACADEMIC ETHICS AND PLAGIARISM
Students must do their own original work in this course – and must appropriately identify any portions of their work which was done in collaboration with others, borrowed from others, or is their own work from another context. Follow this primary principle: Be up front and honest about what you contribute to your writing and what you borrow from another source. This includes any and all uses of AI technology. If a teacher suspects plagiarism he/she will first discuss it with the student and, depending on the situation, follow up with disciplinary action based on the SRMS policy for plagiarism (See Handbook).
Thank you for taking the time to review the course syllabus. I am looking forward to a great year with all of you! If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.