Course Syllabus

8th Grade Language Arts Honors (periods 2 & 3):

Office Hours:  2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, by appointment

Email Address:  clammgenty@cnusd.k12.ca.us

 

Contact Information:

The best way to reach me is by email (see above, and note that my email address includes my maiden name as well).  I will respond to all email messages within a 24-hour window; however, messages received after 4:00 p.m. on Fridays will receive a response on Mondays (or whichever day that begins our week).

Course Description:

Students will focus on mastery of the eighth grade Common Core Standards for English/Language Arts (reading, writing, speaking & listening, and language conventions).  In addition, students will complete a variety of projects through Independent Reading assignments (as required by the California State ELA Framework). Independent Reading assignments will be included in each of the three trimesters (one project per trimester).

Classroom Rules:

  1. Respect yourself and your future.
  2. Respect your fellow students and their right to learn.
  3. Respect your teachers.
  4. Respect your school’s property and community.

Curriculum:

You will read a variety of informational and literary texts. In addition, you’ll write pieces in the three main categories: explanatory, narrative, and argumentative writing. You will also develop your speaking and listening skills through Collaborative Conversations with your peers. Finally, you will read independently in the genres of classic literature, nonfiction, and by pairing both fiction and nonfiction texts with a similar subject. Oh man! This is going to be a GREAT year!

Independent Reading Requirement:

Each trimester, you will be responsible for reading self-selected, reading-level appropriate classic fiction, novels and non-fiction texts. In addition to the reading, you will complete comprehensive projects as part of the Independent Reading Requirement. These projects include Dialectical Journals, a personal interview, in-class presentation, etc.  These projects will likely be some of the highest caliber products you will produce this year.  I’m very excited to see what you can imagine! 

Trimester 1:  Classic Literature

Trimester 2:  Nonfiction Text

Trimester 3:  Paired Fiction and Nonfiction Texts

*Important Note: Parents must approve all independent reading selections.

Library:

I STRONGLY encourage you to acquire a library card from the Corona Public Library.  As 8th grade students, you should be comfortable using the library for research and resource purposes. The Corona Public Library has an extensive selection of both fiction and nonfiction texts; their inventory is much more vast and comprehensive than the Raney Intermediate Library.  Since you will need independent reading texts for all three trimesters, it is in your best interest to get a library card for the Corona Public Library and USE IT.  The Corona Public Library is only about a thirty minute walk from Raney Intermediate School.

Student Planners:

Students are encouraged to use a Student Planner (provided by Raney Intermediate School) in order to keep track of daily assignments and upcoming projects/deadlines. However, as problem-solving, self-advocating individuals, if you have a more modern system that actually works for you, I encourage you to continue in that vein.  You MUST have some kind system.  I encourage parents to monitor students’ use of the planner/alternative method of tracking assignments and due dates.

Homework/Homework Policy:

Students will occasionally have homework related to our units of study.  These assignments are intended for enrichment, extension, practice and review. Homework may also include work that was not completed in class.  Time will be allotted during each class period for students to record assignments in their Student Planners and to review instructions and expectations.  Students who fail to submit completed homework on the due date will received reduced/no credit. Please understand that failure to complete work compromises your ability to master grade-level standards.

 

 

Writing:

In preparation for high school, ALL formal essays are required to follow MLA format. This means that students must use a proper heading and follow all the guidelines of MLA format. MLA format will be reviewed in class.  Some assignments will be required to be typed (double spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman or Calibri font). I encourage students to have a flash drive to save work.  Please bring the flash drive with you each day, in the event that it is needed to save work.  When in doubt, type it out; this is the 21st century after all.

Due Dates:

On the day work is due, it must be submission ready. It is the student’s responsibility to write, type, print, post, and/or email final drafts by the assigned due date.  Students must contact me prior to the submission due date in the event of printer or other technical issues (via email or in person).  Please be responsible and plan ahead to avoid last-minute problems.  I am unable to print documents for you from my classroom printer.  Please utilize the computers and printers available for student use in the Raney Intermediate School Library.

Plagiarism/Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is expected on all assignments. Plagiarism is defined as presenting the work of another as one’s own. Cheating or engaging in academic dishonesty on an assignment or assessment violates ethics and school rules.  Any work that exhibits cheating/plagiarism/academic dishonesty will result in loss of credit, parental notification, and disciplinary action may be taken. When in doubt, CITE EVIDENCE!! Also, if you have questions, it is ALWAYS better to ask!

Absences:

It is the student’s responsibility to retrieve missed handouts/assignments from the Absent Files in the classroom. CNUSD policy allows students two days for each excused absence to turn in missing work. In the event of an extended absence, personal arrangements can be made; please contact the office if your student will be absent for 3 or more consecutive days. In the event of an unexcused absence, no credit will be given for missing work.  Please check my Haiku webpage for daily Agendas and homework assignments.

Tardiness:

You are expected to be in your seat at the start of the class period. If you are running late from another class, you must have a yellow Raney Intermediate Hall Pass to excuse the tardy.  Unexcused tardiness may result in parent contact, lunch detention, or both (at teacher’s discretion).

Help Time:

If you need additional help with an assignment beyond the academic school day, or access to technology, please notify me before the assignment due date. Students may schedule an appointment with me after school (except on Wednesdays) for additional instruction or to use computers/printer. PLEASE COME SEE ME AFTER OR BEFORE SCHOOL.  I CANNOT HELP IF I DON’T KNOW THERE’S A PROBLEM!

Assessment:

Various tests and quizzes will be administered throughout the school year. Assessments can take the form of performance tasks, on-demand writing assignments, multiple choice quizzes and tests, and assessment on the IBMYP Language & Literature Rubric. Test retakes/ re-dos are available for all students at the teacher’s discretion. All re-dos/retakes must be completed during the unit of study, not beyond. Students will be periodically assessed using district and state-mandated assessments. Periodically, students will take the RI Assessment, which is used to assess reading level.  Students will be provided with information regarding Lexile levels, which will be used to select Independent Reading texts and to measure growth throughout the year.

BYOD Roll-Out:

This year, Raney Intermediate School will begin its BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) roll-out.  This process was begun last year through 6th and 7th grades. More information and guidelines will be provided later.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due