English Language Arts
Mrs. Matson, Team Galaxy
2017-2018
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mrs. Kris Matson
Phone: 814-342-4906
E-mail:
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Welcome to Eighth Grade! This year, we will explore the theme Challenges.
Throughout this level, students focus on analyses of heroic archetypes and character traits, while reading and evaluating elements of both fiction and nonfiction texts. Students will master grammar and written argumentative skills through definition and synthesis essay construction; individual and group written analyses of voice and perspective; as well as vocabulary and writing workshops. In order to cultivate a life-long passion for reading and learning, students will also participate in literature circles. Students will be challenged to actively listen and debate on a daily basis – a structure wherein they will engage and practice in the most powerful tool we will ever own: rhetoric.
Course Objectives:
Students will improve in the following areas:
- Reading Process
- Literary Analysis
- Writing Process
- Writing Applications
- Argumentation & Communication
- Media Literacy
- Reflection & Self-Evaluation
Required Materials (starred (**) materials will be provided by your teacher):
- SpringBoard Course Book**
- Independent Reading Books**
- Interactive Binder**
- Notebook paper
- Pencil
Assessment:
- Embedded Assessments (EA):
Each SpringBoard unit is built around two embedded assessments. These assessments were created to provide authentic opportunities for students to demonstrate knowledge and skills learned over the course of study. Activities in the unit are purposefully constructed and scaffolded ensuring students will have the skills and knowledge to be successful. Each EA is accompanied by a Scoring Guide (rubric) that outlines students’ performance expectations. - Vocabulary Instruction:
In addition to the words posted on our classroom word wall, it is the students’ responsibility to record any unfamiliar words that they encounter in class or outside the classroom as a way to practice and expand working vocabularies. Students will also receive weekly cross-curricular vocabulary instruction using Word Gen.
- Grammar & Conventions:
Throughout the year, students will participate in grammar studies incorporated into individual and group writing and reading projects. During the year, students will receive both small group and large group instruction. - Writing Workshop:
All essays are graded with a writing rubric given to students at the start of a workshop. Mini-lessons are provided throughout the drafting and revision stages. Throughout these stages, students are strongly encouraged to conference with the teacher in order to receive instruction and feedback. Students are encouraged to submit drafts with their final essay. In addition, students will be asked to reflect on the writing process.
N.B. Drafts may be given to instructor for feedback at any time during the process with specific questions.
- Effort:
Students are expected to come to class with a positive attitude, prepared to be fully involved in our lessons. Since the course will be taught as seminars (group work, thought, and discussion) and not as lectures, students will be responsible for a large part of the content within the class discussions.
Parents: Please encourage your students to focus on effort rather than what they believe they can or can’t do. Maximum effort leads to highest achievement! Growth Mindset at all times!!
EXPECTATIONS
Instruction will include the use of SpringBoard, texts, handouts, tests, papers, and projects. A notebook and binder are recommended so that you can remain organized; you must always bring notebook paper, SpringBoard book, an independent reading book, and a pencil to class with any other necessary materials for instruction. Furthermore, you should follow school and classroom rules as well as participate in class discussions. These discussions, while not graded, allow for questions, debates, and clarification of important ideas being addressed; therefore, they should be viewed as an important tool for achieving the high standards set for you in the classroom.
ABSENTEEISM
If you are absent, regardless of reason, it is your responsibility to obtain and submit the work missed; this information will be found in the daily folders inside the orange bin at the back of the room on the right side of the bookshelf.I will not beg, plead, or barter with you for your work. If you don’t turn it in within the time allotted, you will earn a zero. Also note, if you need help clarifying an assignment, etc.,at the beginning of the class on the day it is due or duringinstruction is NOT the appropriate time to ask; however, after class and as during E and I are acceptable times to ask questions about missed assignments.
We still have a new class each day with new tasks to accomplish. Any missed notes should be obtained from a trustworthy friend.
If I am absent, when is my work due? You have an amount of time equal to the amount of time absent to complete your work. Examples: if you were absent two days, you would have an extra two days upon your return to hand in any missed work, complete a test, etc. If we were working on a project and you were absent a day, you would have an extra day beyond the due date to complete your work. If you were absent two days, and I gave an assignment while you were out, you would have two days beyond your return to complete it and hand it in. If you were absent the day an assignment was due, but you were present when the assignment was given, yours is due the day you return. If you go on vacation during the school year, it is your responsibility to get all work before you leave and turn it in on the day you return.
GRADING POLICY
I grade simply by the points system – points earned divided by points possible; if you have a 400/500 at the end of the marking period, you have an 80% on your report card. Grades are updated on MMS, so you and your parents have access to updated grades at home too.Please treat every grade as an important one! Any one test, project, or assignment could put you in danger of failure if it is not taken seriously. This will make you ineligible for extracurricular activities, etc., so please be aware of your grades. Once you fail, there will not be “make-up work” to fix it in time for that big game.
*Please give me time to grade your work. I work as quickly and efficiently as possible. Some assignments take a while to grade, especially Embedded Assessments.
Daily Grades: While I do not grade solely on participation, at least twice a week, I will provide an opportunity to earn extra points. You will not know which days of the week these points will be offered. This will keep you on your toes. These points may not seem like a big deal, but it is. Now, you may wonder how you earn these points, and that’s good because they are not just given to you. If you were present, well behaved, prepared, an active listener and/or participant, are on task and on time, you get the points. Easy! Following our School Wide Positive Behavior Expectations to be Safe, Responsible, and Respectful is the key to earning these points! On the other hand, if I make a note about you and/or speak to you TWICE for ANYTHING (throwing something, being disrespectful with me or a peer, coming in late to class, talking, sleeping, etc.) you lose those points. The easiest and quickest way to lose the points is coming to class unprepared. If you come to class without a writing utensil and your required materials for the day, you automatically lose the points. If you come to class late without a signed hall pass, you will lose all your points.
Tests, Papers, & Projects: Tests can include anything from multiple choice to essay questions. You will take only a few tests in this class. Most cumulative assignments are papers or projects. Written papers and projects can include writing a term paper, presenting something in a variety of forms, and individual and collaborative work. Revisions will also be permitted on some assignments. If a revision is allowed on an assignment, the two grades will be averaged together.
Tickets In/Exit Tickets: A verbalticket in will be used to open class daily. Some days you will review grammar and mechanics; other days there might be an open-ended response. The ticket in/ticket out worksheets will be randomly checked.That means it’s done satisfactorily, not just scratching something down to fill the space. I know the difference! I would never grade you on whether your opinion or personal experience is right or wrong (since there is no right or wrong answer), but I am looking for depth, justification, support, and examples for whatever is to be discussed. I want content! In addition, we will be following the criteria established by the John Collins Writing Program. Some of these assignments will be graded for completion, while others will be graded for correctness depending on the level of the assignment.
Homework/Class Work: Homework and class work could be anything or be assigned at anytime. In other words, I don’t give homework every single night. Often, if you finish your class work, you will not have homework. If a project is assigned, you have a given amount of time to complete it; therefore, give yourself the necessary time to complete it by the due date. You know your work habits and schedule better than anyone. Be honest with yourself and do what you need to do. Never procrastinate!
Late Work: Homework and all assignments should be completed and ready to turn in on the day they are due. COMPLETING HOMEWORK DURINGCLASS ON THE DAY IT IS DUE IS UNACCEPTABLE. This includes something being printed at the beginning of class that should have been already prepared and brought to class. As for writing assignments and projects, do not procrastinate. You will be given sufficient time to complete all work. Each day a paper/project is late, ten points will be deducted from the final grade. After three days, it is no longer accepted.Remember, most work will be submitted through Office 365; therefore, there is no excuse for late work. Even if you don’t have access to the Internet at home, work can still be completed and uploaded. Your computer will sync with the school’s system when you enter the building.
Extra Credit: Do not expect extra credit. I usually offer a few opportunities per marking period but only at my discretion. Do the work your best the first time and you won’t have to worry about getting extra credit. Extra credit will NEVER make up for lazy grades. An “A” is earned, not given.
PLAGIARISM & COPYING
Don’t do it! FYI: It is not too difficult to determine whether or not students have cheated. This includes copying and pasting from the Internet, copying from a book, copying from a friend, etc. Be very careful! This is not only a rule for big papers; the policy is also in effect for homework assignments. The consequences laid out in the student handbook will be followed.
Office 365
The Philipsburg-Osceola School District plans to use Office 365 during this school year in order to hold students more accountable for their work. Each student will receive information about the program from the District.
MISCELLANEOUS
Tardiness: You are expected to be inside the classroom, in your seat, with all materials ready when the bell rings; if you are not, you will lose your daily points for the day and tardiness will be tracked. As per School Wide Behavior, three tardies is grounds for detention. If you are late, please be equipped with a signed pass explaining where you were.
Bathroom Trips: Only one person will leave at a time and a hall pass is required. Only three people may leave during a given period. This is to cut down on students walking the halls and abusing privileges. You have time in between periods and at lunch to use the restroom.
Office and Locker Trips: You are not permitted to go to your locker once you’re in class. Moreover, do not ask during my class to do things you should be taking care of during other times like visiting another teacher or the principal. Unless there is a special circumstance, you are in English and that’s where you stay.
Cell phones: If I see it or hear it, I take it. They are to be turned off and in the cell phone holder until the end of the class. It will be turned into the office and school rules will be followed accordingly for each time your phone is confiscated. Check out the POMS Cell Phone Policy in your handbook.
End of Class: Do not line up at the door at the end of class. You are expected to be in your seats either working or reading.
My Desk and My Computer: These are off limits at all times.
Get-out-of-Jail-Free Cards: Yes, like the Monopoly cards…you will each be given four of these cards – one for each marking period. These can be used when you make a mistake, have a bad day, forget something in your locker, forget a small homework assignment, etc. They cannot be used on major things like tests or embedded assessments. These will be accepted at my discretion. If you don’t use yours to get out of jail during the marking period, you may turn them in to earn a bonus of five points at the close of that marking period. You must have this card with you to use it.
Work Ethic: You need to demonstrate a good work ethic, including time management, a positive attitude, and the acceptance of a challenge.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT…
Why is English important? It’s communication. Communication is defined as, “the process of exchanging information and ideas. An active process, it involved encoding, transmitting, and decoding intended messages” ( I realize many of you hate English or think that nothing taught in English is important to you; however, I hope that you think communication is important, because that’s what makes the world go ‘round. That’s how you earn a degree in college, get a job, make money, hold relationships with others, and express feelings, and with the growing field of technology, communication is more important than ever. We all talk, read, and write; therefore, we all need English class. I am training you for the world, not just to pass this class. I hope you’re ready.
Please detach this page and return to your English teacher tomorrow.
By signing this syllabus, I acknowledge that I understand the course expectations, discipline procedures, grading, and course content.
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Student SignatureDate
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Parent SignatureDate
To:Parents of 8th Grade Students
From:Kris Matson
Date: August 2017
Re: Holocaust Literature
During Unit 3, your child will be participating in literature circles in which he/she and a group of his/her classmates will select, read, and discuss a novel. Additionally, as a unit wrap up, we will watch the movie, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. The novels, from which to choose, and the movie deal with the Holocaust.
Due to the nature of the Holocaust, some of the scenes described in the books and images seen in the movie may be graphic and disturbing. We encourage you to talk to your son or daughter about the book when that time comes. You may also preview the movie trailer.
Please sign and return the bottom portion of this letter. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at the email listed below.
Student Name:
I give my child permission to read a Holocaust novel.
I give my child permission to watch The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
Parent Signature:
IF GRANTING PERMISSION FOR BOTH THE BOOK AND THE MOVIE, PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK BOTH OPTIONS ABOVE AND RETURN TO YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER.