Welcome to 8th Grade Language Arts!
“You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes. YOU can steer yourself any direction YOU choose.”
-Dr. Seuss
Teacher: Mrs. Lauren Vender
Teacher email:
Phone: (270) 274-7893 Ext. 219
General Information
Reading: This year students will be reading many different genres and forms of literature. This will include but is not limited to: fiction (short stories, novels, historical, fantasy, science, poetry, plays) and nonfiction (articles, blog entries, brochures, memoirs, narratives). Students will be asked to respond to literature through their writing and through class discussion. Students will be responsible for setting challenging reading goals for themselves.
Writing: Students will create many different types of writing. This includes writing to learn and writing to show me what they have learned. We will be participating in writing workshops that will allow students to receive individualized writing instruction and feedback. Students will be responsible for setting challenging writing goals for themselves.
Required Materials:
One 2-Subject Notebook
Pencils/erasers
Folder
Make-Up Work
It is your responsibility to make sure that you get information about any work that you miss because of an excused absence. Please check the absentee file on the day you return and turn in all make-up work via my hands or the file on my desk. Otherwise, it may be lost forever. Do not just throw things on my desk. Do not put make-up work in the “In” box.
Homework Policy
I expect you to read your independent reading book at home at least four days per week for at least 20 minutes (to start with). I will check your progress during reading workshop. It is vital that you complete this reading if you are to meet your learning goals. Students who read more achieve more. I will assign additional homework as needed. Students who do not turn in assigned homework will lose points and disciplinary actions will be taken as needed. Turn in all homework to the “in” box on or before the due date.
Late Work:
It is vital that you turn in your work on time. This is especially true of any projects that you complete in my class. If you make a habit of turning in your work late I will contact your parents to see if we can figure out a way to help you get your work turned in on time. If it continues to be an issue, you will face other disciplinary consequences (break detention or ISAP). However, I do realize that sometimes things come up that may require you to turn in work late (didn’t understand the assignment, family emergency, etc) as long as you do not make late work a habit, you may turn in late work to the blue file box on my desk. You will lose points for turning in your work late.
Tardies
You are considered tardy to my class if you are not in your seat when the tardy bell rings. After three tardies, you will receive a discipline referral. If you arrive late to my class, sign the tardy sign in sheet in the front of the room by the hall passes.
Conduct Grades
Conduct grades are posted by the front door. You will sit break with me for one day after 6 conduct points. Your parent will be contacted after 10 conduct points are taken. An office referral will be sent after 14 points are taken. After one office referral, you will receive additional referrals after 6 points. See conduct handout for further information.
Technology
We will utilize technology quite a bit during my class this year. However, you should only be using technology during approved times and for approved purposes. There will be no reading on cell phones, but you may read on a tablet with permission only. The contrast on the screen must be bright enough that I can monitor your use. If you have your technology out during a non-approved time or are using it for a non-approved reason I will take it and it will go to the office. NO EXCEPTIONS. Your parents will have to take time out of their busy day to come pick it up. You will not receive a warning; this is your warning.
Daily Routines:
Before Class Starts:
· Use the restroom
· Sharpen your pencil
· Make sure you have all your supplies (notebook, pencil, paper, independent reading book)
· Be in your seat before the tardy bell rings
· Graded papers will be passed out during this time
· Check the agenda and “I can” statements
· Check the board for further instruction
During class:
· You are to remain in your seat at all times, unless given permission to get up (or in case of an emergency).
· Students are expected to remain on task and quiet during the day’s lesson. In the event that a student has a question or comment to make, the student should raise their hand to signal the teacher to call on them. Students who call the teacher’s name will be ignored.
· In the event of a pencil break you may get up and sharpen your pencil only if no one is speaking. There should only be one person at the pencil sharpener at a time.
· If you finish your work early you may read your independent reading book, work on your writing, study for an upcoming test, or work on absentee work (only for language arts).
· You many only take a restroom break during the second half of our block. If you have an emergency, let me know. Otherwise, students using the restroom during the first half will lose 2 conduct points.
At the end of class:
· Class will end with some type of review of the day’s lesson.
· Make sure that you clean up your area, put away things you have borrowed from your teacher, pack up your belongings, and take all of your things with you.
· Class is not dismissed until I dismiss you.
· 4th Block puts chairs up
Pet Peeves:
· Asking me information that you can easily find yourself (What are we doing today?)
· Talking while I am talking (or anyone else in this class is talking).
· Leaving things on/in/around your desk.
· Having a negative attitude