Eighth Grade Communications
Teacher: Miss Shultz
Contact Information: E-mail:
School Phone: (570) 946-7001
Course Description: Effective communication is essential to academic and “real world” success. This class is designed to help you to continue developing and strengthening the four core communication skills—reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This course is also focused on helping you to meet the demands of the reading and writing PSSA that you will take during the spring.
Materials:
· Study Island computer program
· Journal
· Junior Scholastic magazine
· Various short stories and/or novels
Goals:
· Improve reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills based on the Pennsylvania Academic Standards
· Develop a variety of reading strategies and skills to improve fluency and comprehension
· Improve reading for meaning in all content area classes
· Provide intervention for students who may benefit from their implementation
Class Rules:
· Respect others and their possessions.
· Come to class prepared with all necessary materials.
· Follow directions the first time they are given.
· Be in your seat when the bell rings (and remain there until class is over).
Classroom Procedures:
· Have your materials out and ready for class by the time the bell rings. If a bell ringer has been given, start it as soon as you sit down and have your materials organized. If you are late, bring a pass to enter the classroom.
· Come to class every day with everything you will need for the period (notebook, Chromebook, folder, pencil, homework, and an independent reading book.)
· Use appropriate language and treat others with respect.
· If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get any handouts, copy missed notes, and/or make up tests or quizzes. Anything you missed will be due the next day unless other arrangements are made with the teacher. If you are absent the day of a quiz or test, you will be expected to make it up the day that you return.
Consequences:
· The teacher will follow the guidelines set in the Griffin student handbook. Students are expected to know these guidelines. Modifications may be made at the discretion of the teacher.
Evaluation:
· Most homework assignments are worth 5 points for each unless otherwise stated. Late assignments will be accepted one day after they are due for 3 points. After that, no points will be given. (Talk to me if you feel you need a time extension for a legitimate reason.)
· Quizzes and tests will be given periodically.
· Rubrics will be given for larger projects and written assignments. Make sure to follow the rubric the best that you can.
· You will be required to complete various sections of Study Island on the computer by the end of the each marking period. (See below.)
· You will be required to do independent reading projects throughout the year. (See below.)
· You will keep a journal (either on a Google Doc. or notebook) with bell ringer responses. (See below.)
· There will not be a midterm or final exam in this course.
Study Island:
· You will have one class period to work on each section that is assigned. If you don’t finish it within the class period, you will need to finish it on your own during quiet study or at home before the due date.
· Each section that is assigned will be worth either ten or zero points, depending on your score. In order to receive ten points for the section, you must achieve a proficient or advanced score. Basic or below basic scores will not receive any points. If you get a basic or below basic score, you can repeat the section as many times as necessary by the due date to get your score up to a proficient score.
· If you are having difficulty with a section, please see me during quiet study. I can either re-set the section for you, or I can help you to pass the section.
· Due dates for Study Island sections will be posted in the classroom. All sections that are assigned during a marking period will be due a few days before the end of that particular marking period regardless of when the section was assigned.
Independent Reading Projects:
· You will be required to read independent reading books throughout the year which you should bring to class each day. We will have periodic book checks where everyone who has their independent reading books in class will receive points. (What an easy way to earn points!)
· Don’t make it hard or confusing on yourself, use the SAME books that you are reading for English class!
· Once a marking period you will have an independent reading project to complete. These projects will be based on the book you read for your independent reading book. You will get specific instructions, supplies, and a rubric before each project is due.
· Each time an independent reading book is due, a text connections sheet will also be due.
Bell Ringers:
· Bell ringers will be given many days on the white board in the front of the room. You will be expected to begin your bell ringer by the time the bell rings if one has been assigned.
· Bell ringer journals will be collected at the end of each marking period. At this time, you will receive up to five points per entry.
· If you miss any bell ringer prompts, you are responsible for making them up on your own time. If they are not competed by the time the notebook is collected, you will receive zero points per missing entry.
· Journals should be kept organized, legible handwriting should be used, and entries should appear chronologically. If you miss and entry, leave a space where it should go and come back to it later.
Recommendations:
· Try to find time to read independently each day. Even 15 minutes each day will help you to become a stronger reader, and stronger readers are better communicators! Make sure that you find something to read that you enjoy that is also not too difficult.
· If you are having trouble with something, ask the teacher for help before it becomes a larger problem.
· Do not procrastinate!