8th Grade English
Mrs. McDevitt
2016 - 2017
Welcome Back! I am enthusiastic to be exploring English with your child! I will give my personal best to ensure this year is interesting, and enjoyable. My goal is that students develop a love of reading, and strive to be life-long learners through cooperative learning!
Eighth grade English will develop student’s reading comprehension and writing ability. Students will read and analyze a variety of fiction and informational text. They will cite textural evidence to support analysis, reflection, and research. Through narratives, informational, and argumentative pieces, students will also strengthen their vocabulary. Grammar and vocabulary instruction will also be integrated through their individual reading and writing.
I believe a quality and well-rounded education requires collaboration between the teacher, the student, and the parent/s. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. If your child appears to be struggling, please encourage him/her to seek help immediately. When needed, I am happy to provide extra assistance either before or after school.
Classroom Expectations:
· Be Respectful
Treat yourself, others, and classroom materials appropriately. Listen when someone else is talking.
· Be Responsible
Have materials (silent reading book, notebook, textbook, folder, agenda, and sharpened pencil) ready and be in your seat when the final bell rings. Complete all homework on time. Take care of personal business before class begins.
· Be in Control
Take responsibility for your own actions. Help maintain a suitable learning environment.
· Be Safe
Use materials for their intended purpose. Be accepting of others. Sit properly in your chair.
Materials
· Red 3-Ring Binder
· Red Spiral Notebook
· 5-Tab Dividers
· 3 x 5 Index Cards
· Pencils
· Blue/Black Ink Pens
· USB Flash Drive
Silent Reading
Students are required to have a chapter/reading book with them in every hour (library check-out is once a week). In English class, 15-20 minutes daily is dedicated to silent reading and students will be held accountable for a project/activity that relates to their book. Students will be given a separate document explaining the silent reading requirements.
Grading Procedure
Your letter grade is calculated on a point system. Points are accumulated from homework, silent reading, assignments, quizzes, and assessments.
Your citizenship grade will reflect class participation, homework completion, and how you “SOAR” in the classroom.
· Outstanding (Always)
· Good (Most)
· Average (More often than not)
· Needs Improvement (Rarely)
· Unacceptable (Never)
Homework
Homework is assigned regularly and is expected to be completed. Assignments are posted in the classroom, and during East Exit, daily.
Grading Scale
A+ 98-100% A 93-97% A- 90-92%
B+ 87-89% B 83-86% B- 80-82%
C+ 77-79% C 73-76% C- 70-72%
D+ 67-69% D 63-66% D- 60-62% F Below 60%
Absent Students:
It is your responsibility to collect any assignments that you missed on days that you were absent. There is a file located in the classroom, labeled by the date of the month, and contains any assignments from that date. You have as many days that you were absent to make up the work. If a quiz or test is scheduled for the day you are absent, you are expected to take the quiz or test on the day you return.
Tardies
Students must have a written pass to have an excused tardy. If you arrive late, you are disrupting the learning of others. If you accumulate three unexcused tardies, you will be assigned a detention and your parent will be notified.
Communication is the KEY to success!
The best way to contact me is utilizing the email address below. Feel free to visit the Parent Portal or contact me at any time to discuss your child’s progress. Together we can help your child have a successful year.
Mrs. McDevittEmail /
Voicemail / (586) 493-5200
Extension / 2701
Conference Period / 3rd Hr. (10:00 – 11:00)Wed. (9:55 – 10:45)
Website / mrsmcdevitt.weebly.com
Hour _____
8th Grade English
I ______, agree that I have read and understand the expectations and procedures for 8th grade English stated in the attached document.
Student Signature ______Parent/Guardian Signature ______
Mother/Guardian Father/Guardian
First Name______First Name______
Last Name______Last Name______
Email______Email______
Home ______Home ______
Cell ______Cell ______
Work ______Work ______
Date / Parent CommunicationStudent/Parent Information Sheet
**This portion is for the STUDENT to fill out!**
Read the list of activities/descriptions below. Circle the number that best matches how often you do each item.
(1-Always 2-Sometimes 3-Rarely 4-Never)
How often do you…
…read? 1 2 3 4 …share work with parent(s)? 1 2 3 4
…use a computer? 1 2 3 4 …feel challenged in English? 1 2 3 4
…feel confident on tests? 1 2 3 4 …ask for help? 1 2 3 4
…ask questions in class? 1 2 3 4 …do homework? 1 2 3 4
Answer the questions below. Be as honest and complete in your answers as possible.
1. Do you like English? Why or why not?______
______
2. What can I do to help you be successful? ______
______
3. Describe a time when you felt REALLY successful at school. ______
______
4. What is the easiest part of school for you? ______
5. What is the most difficult part of school for you? ______
6. Anything else you feel I should know about you? J ______
______
**This portion is for the PARENT/GUARDIAN to fill out!**
1. How would you describe your child’s perceptions and/or performance in English up to this point? ______
______
2. What are your goals for your child this year at East? (Doesn’t have to be academic-specific.) ______
______
3. Is there anything else I should know? (This may include prior grade experiences, patterns, likes/dislikes, rewards/consequences, etc.) ______
______