Language Arts 8 Course Outline

2014-2015

Miss Hugill

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
- Joseph Addison

Course Objectives:

You will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to:

  • Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences
  • Comprehend and respond personally and critically to oral, print and other media texts
  • Manage ideas and information
  • Enhance the clarity and artistry of communication
  • Respect, support and collaborate with others

Course Content: (subject to change)

Reader’s Workshop Poetry, Short Stories, Articles

Writer’s Workshop Formal Paragraph and Essay Writing

Literature Circles Business Letters

Novel Study “The Outsiders”

Materials:

Please come to class with your Language Arts binder, a pen or pencil, and a silent reading novel. If you have a personal thesaurus or dictionary, please feel free to bring those as well.

Assessment:

Reading Comprehension …………………………………………………..15%

Reading Assignments…………………………………………………..15%

Writing …………………………………………………. 25%

Unit Content ……………………………………………..…... 15%

(projects, quizzes, unit tests)

Midterm……………………………………………..…... 10%

Final Exam ………………………………………………….. 20%

Missing Assignments:

All homework and assignments are expected to be completed and turned in by the specified deadline. If a student does not complete an assignment on time, the student will be required to attend study hall at the noon hour of the same day. If the assignment is not completed in study hall that day, the student will go to study hall for the following four days, or until the assignment is complete. Each day the assignment is not submitted, 5% of the assignment’s mark will be deducted. This will continue to a maximum of 20%. If late work becomes a continual problem, additional action may be required, and the student’s parent will be contacted.

If a student misses an assignment or test due to an absence, he or she will be required to complete it on the day that he or she returns to school.

If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to get caught up on the work that you have missed by checking with myself at the start of, or prior to class- not during class.

Reading

Each class will begin with approximately 15 minutes of silent reading. Students are encouraged to bring in their own books that they are reading, but books available in the classroom library for those students without. It is encouraged that a student stay actively engaged in reading one book instead of picking a new one each day.

Home reading is also an expectation for the 2014- 2015 school year. Students are expected to read an average of 30 minutes per night, Monday- Thursday, for the entire school year. Please note that research shows that students who read about 20 novels per year, typically score in the top 2% on achievement tests.

Classroom Expectations:

Number One Rule = Respect

Respect the space we work in- Keep your desk and work area tidy and keep the room clean.

Respect space and belongings- Treat other’s belongings better than you would your own and come to class prepared and ready to work.

Respect others- It is important to be able to safely share ideas and thoughts without negativity and without concerns for criticism. Professionalism is expected- which includes listening when needed and chatting when appropriate.

Respect yourself- Everyone will be at different levels of ability and experience and you are expected to give yourself the benefit of the doubt- that you will be successful and you have good ideas to share!

Respect the environment- Recycle paper!