Course Syllabus for 8Th Grade Gifted & Talented/ 2002-2003 School Year
Course Description for 8th Grade Language Arts
Instructor:Ms. Kelli Wilson
Planning Period:1stperiod (7:55-8:56)
School Phone:(270)-651-4909
Email:
Course Description
8th grade language arts covers a wide array of subjects including reading, speaking, writing, and listening. We will be involved in a variety of activities that will engage us on various levels of thinking. We will begin the year with a very practical unit on business letters and the Reading Really Pays program to encourage reading time for all students. We will teach units that will center around a study of the Holocaust, and we will read the following major works during this year: The Outsiders, Night, a memoir by Elie Weisel, and the play, The Diary of Anne Frank.
Major Course Objectives:
Students will study close reading, grammar, and composition.
Close Reading
*Reading Strategies
*Literary Elements
*Figures of Speech (Figurative Language)
*Literary Techniques
*Literary Forms
*Elements of Research
Grammar
*Mechanics
*Usage
*Parts of Speech
*Phrases
*Clauses
*Sentence Purpose and Structure
*Syntax Techniques
Composition
*Descriptive
*Expository
*Narrative
*Persuasive
*The Purpose of Composition
*Structural Elements
Classroom Expectations:
- Be on time and prepared.
- Treat everyone with respect.
- Begin work when you enter the room.
Grading Policy:
My grading policy is fairly simple: total points earned divided by total points possible. Points are earned through class participation, quizzes, tests, projects, homework, and class work. A specific rubric will be given for every major project or assignment.
Curriculum:
1st 9 Weeks (Fiction)2nd 9 Weeks (Poetry)3rd 9 Weeks (Nonfiction)
Multiple Intelligences and Learning StylesVarious Poetry SelectionsNonfiction Works
Business Letters/Reading Really PaysVocabulary DevelopmentMaps/Charts/Graphs
Elements of a novelOn DemandOn Demand
The OutsidersGrammar/CompositionVocabulary Development
Vocabulary DevelopmentElements of PoetryGrammar/Composition
On DemandElements of Nonfiction
Grammar/Composition
4th 9 Weeks (Drama)
Diary of Anne Frank
Elements of Drama
Period Theater
On Demand
Vocabulary Development
Grammar/Composition
Other Reading Selections for 8th grade L.A. include but are not limited to the following:
Night
The Rag and Bone Shop
A Raisin in the Sun
Please know that I am very excited to be your L.A. teacher for the 2009-2010 school year. I anticipate a wonderful, successful year! My only request is that you give your best. I ask for nothing more. Please feel free to contact me if there is ever a need of any kind. Let the journey begin!
Kelli Wilson
8th Grade L.A. Teacher