8th Grade ELA SYLLABUS
Objectives:
1st Six Weeks – Nonfiction and Poetry
2nd Six Weeks – Fiction and Drama
3rd Six Weeks – Informational Texts
4th Six Weeks – Persuasive Texts and Media, formulating connections across literary texts
5th Six Weeks - Formulating connections across All Genres
6th Six Weeks – Generating Research
Grading Scale:
40% Daily Work
60% Tests (include all exams, projects, AR vocabulary tests, AR goal – which includes 2 nonfiction books/novels)
Quiz grade given for AR test average that includes 2 nonfiction books/novels
8th grade ELA is a fast paced class and will require proactive and independent responsibility of the student. You will be exposed to additional resources throughout the year and required to complete projects/papers in specific content areas. Students must maintain a grade average of 85 to participate and remain in ELA Honors.
You must be serious and prepared for class every day with required materials to work, as well as, any outside work assigned.
Reading:
Successful, fluent reading comes from continued daily independent reading. It increases vocabulary, analytical skills, and comprehension with books the students choose. It is vital that you read your chosen novel(s) daily. The ultimate goalsare growth and success. You will have school time to read in homeroom, in addition to, home. Take advantage of all available reading time.
Reading Requirements:
- Maintain a reading Log to document basic information about your book, my approval, and your reading times. This will be turned it in before you can test over that book.
- Take 2 vocabulary testsAND 2 nonfiction tests. One of each by for progress report and the second by the end of the six weeks. The nonfiction will be an informational text grade.
- Meet set goals
- Students will only AR test in my room with me. They can come anytime as long as they have permission, have a completed teacher-approved log, and enter and exit quietly.
*See attached the ELA departments reading requirements and guidelines.
Middle School ELA Reading Requirements and Guidelines
Reading, writing, and thinking are necessary tools in education and life. These three skills cannot be separated – they are wrapped up in one subject and one cannot be used without the other. Reading increases knowledge, fluency, vocabulary, analytical skills, and communication. In order for a person to grow, they must continually utilize the skills and be challenged to succeed. Reading is like a marathon; one cannot run 26 miles without training one mile at a time and working up to the 26 miles. A student cannot grow intellectually or academically without exercising these skills and increasing the levels of books they read and the time they take to read. Yes, there are students who do not like to read; however, that does not mean they are incapable of reading. It is a necessary tool. Thankfully, our district provides a program that allows students to read books they choose within the reading guidelines that are designed for growth and success.
Minimum book levels and points:
6th Grade:7th Grade:8th Grade:
Regular:101520
Honors:152025
Bk Level4+4.5+4.7+
Points:4+5+7+
***Book and point levels will increase with student performance and the progression of the year. ALL books must be approved by the ELA teacher BEFORE reading and a Reading log must be maintained and turned in before taking an AR test. Students can AR test any time as long as they have a pass from the ELA teacher and a completed reading log showing teacher approval and reading progress.
Requirements:
- 2 vocabulary tests – one at 3 weeks and second one before end of six weeks.
- 2 non-fiction tests taken per six weeks. This will be an informational text daily grade
- Students are not to read more than two small, minimum one point books. If a student wants to read a nonfiction NOVEL in addition to the requirements, they are welcome to do that. The idea is not read little books to make a goal.
Major grades: Reading goals, tests (these are quiz grades) and 2 vocabulary tests
*Reading will NOT fail a student – failure to read for success will.