Email (far better than the phone!):

English 8 2013- 2014

Mr. Wittman

Textbooks: Main text will be McDougal Littell’s Language of Literature. Students will read several novels, includingThe Pearl by John Steinbeck, The Pigman by Paul Zindel, Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, The Diary of a Young Girl by AnneFrank, The Call of the Wild by Jack Londonand several short stories, including Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes.

Course Description: I will teach you, with your cooperation, to interpret literature, to listen effectively, and to speak and write well. You will demonstrate critical thinking and writing fluency by responding to daily journal prompts (a section of binder kept stocked with PLENTY of lined paper so that entries stay organized). You will write in-class and out-of-class essays. You will conduct formal research and write a paper using MLA format in January. Start thinking now of an important person to research, one who changed life on Earth! You will also make formal presentations.

Grading System: Each assignment is graded on a point scale. Students can earn between five and 15 points on most assignments. Larger assignments, like essays, are usually worth about 50 points.

Homework: You must copy assignments from the board into your assignment book each day. You are required to read a substantial publication (no comic books or magazines lacking meaningful articles) for at least fifteen minutes during four of the seven nights in a week. Record title, author, and a significant quotation for each reading session on your KBAR sheet. Sheets are to be signed by a parent in hope that parents will become involved in their student’s reading habit. A list of recommended titles is available, and I encourage students to improve their literacy by reading from it—extra credit will be awarded for reading these titles or equally significant titles that do not appear on the list (see me with book in hand).

Spelling pretests are every Monday of five-day weeks. Students need only address the words and definitions missed on Monday for Friday’s test (20 pts. each).

Make-Up/Late Work: Please see Lancer Handbook. Note-- If absent on a due date, the assignment(s) will be due the day student returns. AN AUTOMATIC 50% DEDUCTION WILL BE TAKEN FROM ALL LATE WORK. KBAR logs are not accepted late.

Student Expectations: Bring two pencils and two DARK-BLUE OR BLACK BALL-POINT PENS (be nice to my eyes, please!), a binder with plenty of paper and dividers, an assignment book, and the appropriate literature text to class each day. Students are required to keep notes and handouts dated and in order.

If you are going to be, or were,ABSENT

1. Call or conference with your study buddy to get information on the classwork and assignments you missed.

2. Check the wall file upon your return for handouts/assignments that you missed.

3. Turn in any work that was due during your absence in the appropriate slot of the late work box at rear of room.

4. Ask your study buddy for clarification on assignments and/or information BEFORE asking the teacher and not during a lesson.

5. Check the board for new assignments and update your assignment book.

Feel free to approach teacher with questions during free moments (work time, after class, lunch, after school), NOT WHILE CLASS IS GETTING UNDERWAY.

Student’s full name ______Signature______Per#___

Parent Signature ______Date______(worth 10 pts., Assign #1!)