OVERVIEW
Welcome to 8th grade English! Throughout the school year students will be exposed to various literary forms (short story, novel, poetry, drama, biography, autobiography). Literacy skills will be strengthened by studying literary and poetic devices, making connections to both fiction and nonfiction texts, employing critical thinking and comprehension strategies, and building vocabulary and grammar skills. Writing skills will be developed via fundamental work on literary analysis responses, essay development, and practice in revising and editing writing using the John Collins Writing Program.
MATERIALS FOR CLASS
School issued Chromebook and charger
1” Binder for handouts (5 sections: AUTHORS, VOCABULARY, POETRY, LITERARY TERMS, GRAMMAR)
Lined, loose-leaf filler paper for notes
Pen/Pencil/Eraser/Highlighter
GRADING SYSTEM
Student grades will be determined based on a point system, and each type of assignment will hold a different point value. (For example,a homework may be worth 2-10 points, while a quiz or short writing assignment might be 20-75 points, and a test, project, or lengthy writing assignment may be worth 75-150 points.)
-Homework: Homework is assigned every night and due on the next school day (unless otherwise instructed). A lesson agenda along with homework and objectives will be posted daily in the classroom and on the class website. Homework will be checked daily and collected randomly.
-Writing Assignments: Students will be asked to write for different purposes and in a variety of styles. For example reading responses and unit essays entail literary analysis, whereas narratives, poems, and RAFT writing assignments employ more descriptive and creative writing.
-Quizzes: Unit quizzes are administered after reading selections and are intended to reflect understanding of comprehension, vocabulary, and literary elements discussed in class. “Quests” are longer than quizzes, but shorter than tests, and are administered after studying multiple selections or short units. This type of assessment is typically in multiple choice format.
-Tests: Unit tests (1-2 per term) will cover multiple reading selections and are usually administered following access to a study guide and formal review which are intended to both familiarize students with question expectations and inform students about material they should study prior to a test. Students scoring below 70% on a unit test may improve their score by retaking the test after attending an Academic Support session. Students, however, may not score higher than 70% on a retake test.
-Projects: Since educational research has proven significant inherent value in inquiry/project based learning, students will complete a variety of individual and group projects (including at least two research projects) throughout the school year. When students complete collaborative group projects, each student will receive his/her own grade. Projects generally take a minimum of one week to complete, and most work will be done in class with teacher support.
INDEPENDENT READING (IR)
Research has proven that the benefits of independent reading include improving comprehension, building vocabulary, increasing fluency, and helping to develop background knowledge and cultural literacy. The grade 8 independent reading expectation is that students have a self-chosen book with them every day in order to participate in daily independent reading time (DIRT). Students are free to select books from any genres they prefer, providing the books they choose are within their zone of proximal reading development. English classes will visit the school library every other week to check-out, return, renew, and/or read independently. Students are also permitted to visit the library during lunch and before or after school.
GOOGLE DRIVE & GOOGLE CLASSROOM
All students are assigned an LPS username and password for an online Google account. Students will be instructed about how to organize their Google Drive with folders for each grade and class, and during the first week of school, students will join the cloud-based Google Classroom where all English assignments will be posted. Storing work in the cloud-based Google Drive makes it easy for students to access and print files or presentations from any computer with Internet access. Although many assignments will not be turned in online, some will. *It is up to each student to treat their Google Classroom account like an agenda by marking assignments as “done” when they are completed/submitted; otherwise, they will reflect as “late” in Google Classroom.
ASPEN X2 PARENT PORTAL
The need for students and parents/guardians to receive timely feedback on assignment performance is a priority for our team. All assignments are graded and entered into the online Aspen X2 Gradebook as soon as possible. *In preparation for the independence, responsibility and self-advocacy expectations at the high school level, students are strongly encouraged to track their own grades throughout each term and contact teachers themselves (either in person or via email) with questions or concerns regarding assignments or grades.
EXPECTATIONS & EXTRA HELP
Students are expected to be respectful and responsible at all times. All work should be completed neatly, directions should be followed carefully, and assignments should be turned in punctually. Extra help is available each day during Academic Support and/or after school each Tuesday (or by appointment).
TEACHER CONTACT INFO
Mrs. Gilbert - Baird Middle School - Grade 8
Email: [email protected] ● Phone: (413) 583-5685 x106 ● Website: gilbertenglish.weebly.com
MLA HEADING
MLA formatted heading is required on all submitted work.
Student Name
Teacher Name
Course Name
Date
Welcome to 8th grade English! Throughout the school year students will be exposed to various literary forms (short story, novel, poetry, drama, biography, autobiography). Literacy skills will be strengthened by studying literary and poetic devices, making connections to both fiction and nonfiction texts, employing critical thinking and comprehension strategies, and building vocabulary and grammar skills. Writing skills will be developed via fundamental work on literary analysis responses, essay development, and practice in revising and editing writing using the John Collins Writing Program.
MATERIALS FOR CLASS
School issued Chromebook and charger
1” Binder for handouts (5 sections: AUTHORS, VOCABULARY, POETRY, LITERARY TERMS, GRAMMAR)
Lined, loose-leaf filler paper for notes
Pen/Pencil/Eraser/Highlighter
GRADING SYSTEM
Student grades will be determined based on a point system, and each type of assignment will hold a different point value. (For example,a homework may be worth 2-10 points, while a quiz or short writing assignment might be 20-75 points, and a test, project, or lengthy writing assignment may be worth 75-150 points.)
-Homework: Homework is assigned every night and due on the next school day (unless otherwise instructed). A lesson agenda along with homework and objectives will be posted daily in the classroom and on the class website. Homework will be checked daily and collected randomly.
-Writing Assignments: Students will be asked to write for different purposes and in a variety of styles. For example reading responses and unit essays entail literary analysis, whereas narratives, poems, and RAFT writing assignments employ more descriptive and creative writing.
-Quizzes: Unit quizzes are administered after reading selections and are intended to reflect understanding of comprehension, vocabulary, and literary elements discussed in class. “Quests” are longer than quizzes, but shorter than tests, and are administered after studying multiple selections or short units. This type of assessment is typically in multiple choice format.
-Tests: Unit tests (1-2 per term) will cover multiple reading selections and are usually administered following access to a study guide and formal review which are intended to both familiarize students with question expectations and inform students about material they should study prior to a test. Students scoring below 70% on a unit test may improve their score by retaking the test after attending an Academic Support session. Students, however, may not score higher than 70% on a retake test.
-Projects: Since educational research has proven significant inherent value in inquiry/project based learning, students will complete a variety of individual and group projects (including at least two research projects) throughout the school year. When students complete collaborative group projects, each student will receive his/her own grade. Projects generally take a minimum of one week to complete, and most work will be done in class with teacher support.
INDEPENDENT READING (IR)
Research has proven that the benefits of independent reading include improving comprehension, building vocabulary, increasing fluency, and helping to develop background knowledge and cultural literacy. The grade 8 independent reading expectation is that students have a self-chosen book with them every day in order to participate in daily independent reading time (DIRT). Students are free to select books from any genres they prefer, providing the books they choose are within their zone of proximal reading development. English classes will visit the school library every other week to check-out, return, renew, and/or read independently. Students are also permitted to visit the library during lunch and before or after school.
GOOGLE DRIVE & GOOGLE CLASSROOM
All students are assigned an LPS username and password for an online Google account. Students will be instructed about how to organize their Google Drive with folders for each grade and class, and during the first week of school, students will join the cloud-based Google Classroom where all English assignments will be posted. Storing work in the cloud-based Google Drive makes it easy for students to access and print files or presentations from any computer with Internet access. Although many assignments will not be turned in online, some will. *It is up to each student to treat their Google Classroom account like an agenda by marking assignments as “done” when they are completed/submitted; otherwise, they will reflect as “late” in Google Classroom.
ASPEN X2 PARENT PORTAL
The need for students and parents/guardians to receive timely feedback on assignment performance is a priority for our team. All assignments are graded and entered into the online Aspen X2 Gradebook as soon as possible. *In preparation for the independence, responsibility and self-advocacy expectations at the high school level, students are strongly encouraged to track their own grades throughout each term and contact teachers themselves (either in person or via email) with questions or concerns regarding assignments or grades.
EXPECTATIONS & EXTRA HELP
Students are expected to be respectful and responsible at all times. All work should be completed neatly, directions should be followed carefully, and assignments should be turned in punctually. Extra help is available each day during Academic Support and/or after school each Tuesday (or by appointment).
TEACHER CONTACT INFO
Mrs. Gilbert - Baird Middle School - Grade 8
Email: [email protected] ● Phone: (413) 583-5685 x106 ● Website: gilbertenglish.weebly.com
MLA HEADING
MLA formatted heading is required on all submitted work.
Student Name
Teacher Name
Course Name
Date