Al-Madinah Middle School Course-work Information for Students 2017-2018

Course Code: 1st Marking Period COURSE Title: ELA GRADE 8

Teacher: Katalin Campbell Course:English Language Art

Email: Course Meeting Days: Monday-Friday

Phone Number: (718) 222-4986

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

English Grade 8 – This a comprehensive, English Language Arts program based on addressing all areas of the common core standards, Reading, Writing, Listening, Language and Speaking. During the course of this study, the students will encounter fictional and nonfictional literature that will engage in questioning methods, prepare for standardized assessments as well as develop college and career skills.

OBJECTIVES: As a result of this course, you will be able to:

  • Pre-unit Assessment
  • Identify and distinguish nonfictional and fictional literary text
  • Apply strategies to identify different literary works
  • Determine the purpose of a literary/ informational text
  • Utilize appropriate methods in writing a narrative essay
  • End of unit assessment
  • Benchmark Assessment

REQUIRED TEXTS AND RESOURCES:

  • Prentice Hall Literature Common Core

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES:

All of the following items must be in class each day.

  • Textbook Prentice Hall Literature
  • ELA Binder
  • Pens, pencils, eraser, sharpener, highlighter (2 different colors), colors (pencils, markers, crayons)

CLASS EXPECTATIONS:

All students are expected to demonstrate their PRIDE in every class by being:

Prepared – come to class each day with all materials and assignments ready

Respectful – add, not take away from the educational environment in the classroom

Independent – take responsibility for own understanding by asking questions and participating

Dedicated – show dedication to success by completing assignments and projects on time

Empathetic – help others

RESPECTYOURSELFOTHERSOUR SCHOOL

CONSEQUENCES:

  1. Verbal warning
  2. Student-Teacher Conference
  3. Student writes an apology letter
  4. Student attends the grade level Academic/Behavior Meeting and parents are notified
  5. Suspension

CLASSWORK:

Classwork is 10% of the overall mark. The students are expected to show cooperation and participate in the classroom lesson, group or paired activities. This process is an informal assessment of the students’ learning and understanding. All students are expected to participate in class; note taking is part of the learning process. The students are responsible for copying all notes. The students must keep an organized folder or binder. The notes and worksheets or any material given are important part of the assignments, assessments or projects.

ASSIGNMENTS:

The students will have weekly assignments handed out on the last day of the week – Friday or Thursday in case the Friday is off. In this marking period there will be 5 assignments each worth 80 points. (See grading policy below). The assignments are due the following the weekend, on Monday. All assignments are related to taught material in the past week(s). Part of the mark are timely turn in date, completion and correctness.

TASK ASSESSMENTS:

The students will be given two task assessments and 4 quizzes based on covered material. Please refer to calendar for assessments dates.

BENCHMARK TESTS:

The students will have two Benchmark Tests during the marking period. The dates for these tests are October 16, 2017. The benchmark assessment covers reading standards for both literary and informational text as well writing and language standards. The test is assessing the students’ growth as well as preparing the students for standardized testing. Therefore, testing rules are applied and breaking them will result of invalid test results.

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY:

All students must attend class period as assigned in the school’s schedule. Students must be present in class at the time of second bell and ready with all the required textbooks, note-book, agenda book and other supplies. Students who come to class late from Physical Education, Arabic, Lunch or any other excuse must have a pass otherwise their class readiness points will be deducted.

COMMUNICATION:

Students can communicate with the teacher during class period and lunch. The student can also meet with during teacher’s preparation period with prior appointment or request to meet the teacher(s) during the academic-behavior meeting period. The student can also contact the teacher via the school’s website.

CELL PHONES, COMPUTERS, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES:

Use of any communication devices are not allowed in class without taking permission from the teacher. If any communication device is found with a student, the device will be confiscated until further notice.

FOOD AND DRINK:

Students are not allowed to eat or drink any beverages in class. Only water is allowed.

GRADING POLICY:

The final grade in the course will be determined by the cumulative percentage of assignments, assessments, projects and classwork.

Task / Percentage
Assignments (Homework)/Readiness / 15%
Assessments / 65%
Project / 10%
Class Participation / 10%
Total / 100%

The total percentage earned can be converted to letter grades as follows:

Percentage % / Letter Grade
93-100% / A
84-92% / B
75-83% / C
65-74% / D
<65% / F

ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION:

Assignments must be submitted to the teacher during class period on the day of the deadline or before the deadline.

LATE WORK:

Any student submitting the work late must have a valid reason for it, such as the doctor’s note of being absent, parents’ note that an emergency occurred in the family and so on. Failing to submit a valid reason, points will be deducted from the student’s grade.

RESUBMISSIONS:

A student can resubmit assigned work if allowed by the teacher and during the given time frame. (A student can resubmit the work if asked for revisions, correct errors, incorporate feedback, etc).

PLAGIARISM/ACADEMIC OFFENSES:

Copying information, cutting and pasting information from the Internet (plagiarism) is strictly prohibited. Any student who is caught doing so will face consequences and the assignment will earn a zero. Any student who copies any work, project or any other assigned work will also earn a zero, while the student who allows his peer to copy work, project and or any other assigned work will also obtain point deduction.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Homework

- will be assigned on Fridays based on the covered material during the week

- Due on the following Monday

Quizzes

- there will be weekly quizzes on what was covered the previous week

- will be on Mondays (see attached calendar)

Projects

- each marking period will have two projects

- students will work on their project both at home and school unless otherwise specified.

*** All work must be submitted within the time frame given unless there is a reasonable excuse for being delayed.

*** Notes and binder will be checked periodically for completion.

*** Genius Hour: allows for project time as well as reading comprehension practice

I have read the syllabus and take on the responsibility to adhere to the course requirements.

Parent Signature: Student Signature

______

(mother/father/guardian)(student)

Katalin Campbell - Grade 8 - ELA2017-2018 Academic Year