8TH GRADE RLA
2025-2026
COURSE SYLLABUS
Teacher: Mrs. Melissa Watson
Conferences: 10:11-11:08
Tutorials: Monday and Tuesday 7:45-8:00 or Tuesday after school from 3:42-4:15
E-Mail: Melissa.watson@saisd.org
Course Overview:
This course will serve as a foundation for continued study in the English Language Arts curriculum and assist students in preparing for their academic and professional careers. The class objectives are taken directly from the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and the pacing is guided by the San Angelo Independent School District. Educators teaching this course will make decisions involving differentiating the curriculum to meet the needs of individual students.
Grade Seven English Language Arts maintains a rigorous curriculum throughout the year. We encourage students who find the work challenging to seek advisement from their individual teachers first in the event they have questions or concerns.
This course will consist of honing their reading and writing skills.
Students are graded each nine weeks using the following scales:
Grade Scale
A=90-100
B=80-89
C=70-79
F= 69 and below
Honors Courses will follow the grading structure set up by SAISD district in the Honors Contract sent home to parents for Honors Students.
Absences: Students who have missed assignments due to excused absences will not be penalized. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss with the teacher what assignments need to be completed and their due dates. If the student is missing the work due to an absence, they will have one plus each day they were absent. For example, if they were absent 3 days, they will have 4 days to get the work in without being considered late.
Late Work Policy:
Students are expected to do their best on each assignment in a timely manner, so the teacher can enact accurate feedback and instructional response.
A student has 3 days to turn in late work:
• 1 day late = 15 points will be deducted from the top of the grade. (85% is the highest grade a student can achieve)
• 2 days late = 30 points will be deducted from the top of the grade. (70% is the highest grade a student can achieve)
• 3 days late = 40 points will be deducted from the top of the grade. (60% is the highest grade a student can achieve)
• NO LATE WORK will be accepted after 3 days. A zero goes in the grade book.
For those that failed a test:
• One opportunity if original grade was less than 70%.
• Major grades only - exception is projects, essays, nine week exams. Those are not allowed a retest opportunity.
• Cheating or no effort do not have a retest opportunity.
• Highest grade recorded is 70%.
Homework:
When assigned homework, it will be designed to provide a means of re-enforcing the curriculum after the student has been provided the proper instruction. It is very important that your student complete the homework in the time provided and turn it in the on the correct due dates.
Tutorials:
Students will have the opportunity to attend tutorials
Tardy Policy:
If a student is tardy to class, they need to make sure they have a written excuse. The school wide tardy policy will be enforced.
Cell Phones/Electronics:
Students are not allowed to use their cell phone or any other electronic in the hallways or class. If a student has any electronic out other than a school issued device, it will be confiscated and brought to the office.
Materials:
Pencil/Pens
Any Stylus pen for IPAD
Wide Ruled notebook paper to keep in class
Folder
Composition Notebook
Ear buds with wire