Class Information for Parents and Students
English 8
Mrs. Book
2016-2017
About the Class: The purpose of this class is to help students become proficient in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar. English 8 is primarily taught using the Study Sync program, which was specifically designed to guide students toward mastery of the Common Core English Language Arts Standards for eighth grade. Study Sync includes both consumables and an online curriculum. Novels and other supplementary readings will be used in conjunction with the Study Sync program.
Grading: I update grades on Power School regularly. I grade on a point system. This means that I assign a point value to each assignment. Grades are determined by the percentage of total points earned. For example, if a student ends the trimester earning 830 out of a possible 1000 points, her percentage earned would be 83%, a B grade.
100-93=A, 92-90=A- , 89-88=B+, 87-83=B, 82-80=B-, 79-78=C+,
77-73=C, 72-70=C-, 69-68=D+, 67-63=D, 62-60=D-
Behavior Rules: In order to provide an environment in which students are able to learn, it is important to maintain an orderly classroom. For this reason, students are expected to abide by the following rules:
1. Keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself.
2. No gum chewing, eating, or drinking beverages other than water
3. Respect school property. Students are accountable for property damage.
4. Raise your hand and get permission to speak aloud or leave your seat.
5. Be seated and prepared to work when the bell rings.
*If a student chooses to violate any of these rules or exhibits behavior that causes a disruption to my ability to teach and/or other students’ ability to learn, the discipline policy will be initiated.
Discipline Policy: This starts at the beginning of each trimester.
• A formal warning
• A second warning and an N in citizenship in Power School.
• On the next occurrence or a in the case of a major infraction, the student will receive a Due Process Form.
▪ Step 1: parent notification
▪ Step 2: intervention, parent notification
▪ Step 3: class suspension, parent notification
• Instances of severe misbehavior may result an immediate class suspension and/or referral to the vice principal.
*Students can always increase a citizenship grade by volunteering in the classroom and exhibiting good citizenship.
Citizenship: Students will receive one of the following four citizenship grades:
O-outstanding: Student regularly participates in class, always follows class rules, and exhibits outstanding citizenship.
S-satisfactory: Student participates in class when asked, follows class rules, and exhibits good citizenship.
N-needs improvement: Student has received one step on the Due Process form during the trimester.
U-unsatisfactory: Student has received more than one step on the Due Process form during the trimester.
Assignment Information: Most assignments will be completed in the English notebook. All notebook work must be neat and legible, or else credit will not be given. Also, assignments must be dated and titled correctly. Assignments should be completed in the order of when they were assigned. Classwork assignments are expected to be completed when they are assigned. There are no make-ups for classwork assignments that are missing from when a student was present in class. Notebook homework assignments are stamped on the day they are due to be completed. Stamps show that the assignment was completed on time. Completed assignments that do not have stamps are worth half credit.
I collect notebooks about every 4 weeks. All assignments for the notebook grading period are listed on the side board with their point values. Students will be notified at least a day in advance of a notebook collection. Final drafts of essays, tests, and other individual or group projects are not completed in the English notebook.
Daily agendas and homework assignments are listed on the board to the right of students when they sit down. This information should be copied in their agendas at the start of class. All homework and notebook assignments will be listed on my teacher website.
Late Work and Absences: Students have two days to make-up work and tests for every one day that they were absent. It is a student’s responsibility to see me about make-up work. All handouts can be obtained from the tray above the front table by the door.
I am available to help before and after school, during advisory, and any time that I am not addressing the class. When make-up work is completed, it is also a student’s responsibility to make sure to get that work stamped. That stamping should occur within the two day make-up period for each absence. I do not stamp late work that is not absence related.
Late English notebooks, essays, and projects will be accepted, however, for each day that an assignment is late ten percent of the entire grade will be docked. For example, if an English notebook was worth 100 points, and a student turned in that notebook two days late, the best score he/she could receive would be 80 points. Assignments that are more than nine school days late will not be accepted. All late assignments must be turned in before the last week of the trimester.
Supplies: Students must have a notebook consisting of 80 or more pieces of binder paper for each trimester or a large notebook with 240 or more pages for all three trimesters. I recommend that students find the type that rip out easily, without a perforated edge. Final drafts of essays, tests, and group/individual projects will not be completed in the English notebook. These types of assignments may require white paper or poster board. In addition, students should always have several dark blue or black pens and a highlighter of any color.
How to contact me: The best way to contact me is by email. My email address is . I try to respond to emails the day I receive them.
*Please keep this copy and return the signature page.
I have read Mrs. Book’s “Class Information for Parents and Students.”
Parent Signature:_______________________________________________________
Student Signature:________________________________________________________
Student Name Printed:_____________________________________________________
Parent Permission for View Class Related Movies
I plan to show two films this year. Both films will be used in conjunction with a Study Sync unit. A writing assignment will be given for each film. If a student does not have parent permission to view a film, an alternative assignment will be provided.
1. Matilda Rating-PG: With this movie, students will examine the levels of comedy. It is also adapted from a novel by Roald Dahl. We read “The Landlady” by the same author.
2. The Truman Show-PG: Students will use this film to analyze the contrast between utopian ideals and dystopian reality.
My child has permission to view the two films listed above.
Parent Signature:__________________________________________________________