Eighth Grade EnglishDisclosure

Teacher: Mrs. Wayman

BLOG: Extension: (801) 452-4736

MATERIALS: Materials are as follows: pen, pencil, paper and two pocket folders (these will stay in the class all year).

Students are also required to bring a book of their choice for school Reading Time which occurs during 5th period.

CLASS TEXT: This year we will be reading from various novels which include, but are not limited to, the following: Deathwatch, Chasing Lincoln’s Killer, Flowers for Algernon, and Prisoner B-3087. In addition to these novels we will be studying selections from Holts Elements of Literature.

GRADING: The following grading scale will be used in this class:

A94%-100%B83%-88%C72%-76%D61%-65%

A-91%-93%B-80%-82%C-69%-71%D-59%-60%

B+88%-90%C+77%-79%D+66%-68%F0%-58%

CITIZENSHIP GRADES: These will be based on attitude and behavior in class, not on academic performance! Excessive tardiness will result in an “N” or “U” grade for citizenship.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Late work will NOT be accepted for full credit.Points for late work will be taken away at the teacher’s discretion depending on quality of work and lateness.

ABSENCES: When a student is absent, it is the student’s responsibility to find out what was missed by checking with the teacher, fellow classmates and the blog. The missed assignment(s) must be turned in within one week of the due date for full credit. When a student misses a class due to truancy, no makeup work will be accepted.

HALL PASS: The hall pass is to be used forEMERGENCIES ONLY!

CLASS RULES:

  1. BE RESPECTFUL: Students are expected to respect their fellow classmates, the teacher, substitutes and any visitors. Discourtesy and rude behavior will not be tolerated resulting in the loss of participation points and a low citizenship grade.
  1. BE RESPONSIBLE: Any cell phones, pagers, games, and other distractions will be confiscated by the teacher and turned in to the office. Parents will be contacted by the school and asked to come and get the items from the office.
  1. BE IN CLASS AND BE READY: Come on time, get your work folder from the drawer, and be in your seat when the bell rings.
  1. BE CURIOUS: Curiosity is the key to becoming a successful life-time learner!

ELECTRONIC DEVICES: If students would like to bring eBooks into the classroom for reading period or reading days, they will be allowed. AlleBooks must be on an electronic device OTHER THAN A CELL PHONE. The school will not be liable for any stolen property, so use caution when you bring those devices to school.

MEDIA: Video and music may be used on occasion. Any video clips used will be from a movie with a ‘G’ or ‘PG’ rating. Clips chosen are usually no longer than a few minutes and are clean of any inappropriate material. Each clip and musical selection will directly apply to the lesson and the goals of this class.

We will be watching a few movies that correlate with novels in class:

Killing Lincoln (History Channel documentary) ______(initial)

Charly (TV adaptation of Flowers for Algernon)______(initial)

MOST IMPORTANTLY:

YOU are the force behind your education.

I can teach, prepare and help you with course content, but you are ultimately responsible for your own learning and success in the classroom!

8th Grade Book Projects

READING REQUIREMENTS:

You are required to read TWO books per quarter. ALL OF THE BOOKS YOU CHOOSE MUST BE BOOKS THAT YOU HAVE NEVER READ BEFORE. Once you choose a book, you will sign-up for it. This way I can monitor what books are being read by which students. Once you sign up for your book, you have a two week window to change that book. You can change your book for any reason during that two week grace period. Once that time has expired, you may no longer change your book selection.

MIDTERM PROJECT:

At midterms you will take a quiz on the first book. For the quiz, you will be answering ONE of the questions listed below. You will write a thorough response to the question. Your answer will be graded on how well you answer the question and on how well you use examples from the book in your answer. You will not know which question you will be answering until you arrive in class on the quiz date.

Possible Mid-term Quiz Questions:

  1. Give an example of four different types of conflict from the novel. Explain how each conflict was resolved, and how the conflict impacted the characters involved.
  2. Explain in depth the relevance of the title of the novel to the story line.
  3. Compare and contrast the novel you read with whatever text we are using in class.
  4. Explain three cause and effect relationships you found in the book.
  5. Who are the protagonists and who are the antagonists? Do these characters grow or mature by the end of the story? Do they learn something about themselves and how the world works?
  6. Think of a situation that happened to a person in the novel, and decide whether you would have done the same thing he/she did or something different. What might you have done in the situation?
  7. Choose a character from the book and tell what you think about that person. Do you like him/her? Why or why not? Would you like to have that person as a friend? Why or why not? Be specific and use examples to defend your decision.
  8. What part of the story was the funniest? Most exciting? Saddest?
  9. Name two themes from the novel and use evidence to support how those themes are represented in the novel.
  10. Tell about an event from the novel that was a game changer. What took place before the event and what changed after?
  11. Describe three things from the novel that represent symbolism. What do they symbolize, and provide the evidence to support your claim.
  12. Which settings deeply affect the character’s decisions and feelings? Identify two settings and clearly explain the impact each has on the character.
  13. What choice did the main character make during the climax of the story? What choice would you have made? How would “doing it your way” affect the rest of the story?

Midterms will be given IN CLASS on the following dates (dates may change if conflicts arise). Each midterm is worth 100 points.

1st Quarter – Sept. 162nd Quarter – Nov. 21

3rd Quarter – Feb. 104th Quarter – April 21

FINAL READING PROJECT

Each of these projects will be completed IN CLASS. More directions will be given on the assigned date. Be sure to have your book finished before the date listed next to each project. You cannot use the same book as the one you used for your midterm. Each project is worth 100 points!

1st Quarter –Snapshot of the Climax- Oct. 242nd Quarter –The Gift- Jan. 6

3rd Quarter –Character Comparison- March 134th Quarter – Book Speed-dating - May 15

Name______

Period______

-As a student, I understand this English class disclosure and agree to follow the policies and expectations described in it.

-I have read and understand the requirements for outside reading and book projects for this class.

-I am aware that I am responsible for my own preparation of materials, assignments, tests, behavior and time management.

Signature of Student______

Date______

To the Parent/ Guardian:

Please sign below indicating that you have read and agree to all items in this disclosure. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at .

I have read this English class disclosure, as well as the book project requirements, and understand the policies and expectations of this class.

Signature of Parent/Guardian______

Date______

RETURN THIS PAGE, SIGNED, TO THE TEACHER

DUE______

***If there is ever a concern regarding a student or this class, please feel free to contact me at the school, (by phone or email) and I will be more than happy to help with an assignment explanation and/or arrangements. If a student is struggling and genuinely willing to work, I am glad to help them on an individual basis.