Mr. Lewis: English 8 Welcome Letter and Overview
Dear Students, Parents/ Guardians:2015-2016 School Year
Eighth grade is an academically challenging year. It is the year when we prepare for the transition to high school. Your English class will play a vital role in this process. Through whole class novels, whole class plays, small group literature circles, short stories, poems, nonfiction, and independent reading, your reading skills will be strengthened. Through formal, creative, responsive and reflective writing, your writing will improve. This year’s curriculum includes a variety of literature, assignments, and activities that will expand your knowledge and inspire your critical thinking.
We will spend the first few days establishing essential routines, discussing what it takes to create and maintain a successful classroom, and create an agreement to which we all adhere during the year to be successful. Mygoal in setting up the classroom in this way is to make students completely responsible for their requirements and personally invested in setting up acceptable conduct in the classroom. You will know how the classroom functions and how to stay up to date and informed about what is happening in the classroom, even if you are absent. Iwill keep open lines of communication so that you are successful and can contact me if necessary.
Please keep this letter and information in the front of your binder for your reference throughout the year. Please return the completed contract form to Mr. Lewis by Friday, September 11th. Ilook forward to working with you this year.
Sincerely,
Mr. Lewis
The Variety of Assessments/ Tasks:
Skills Check:
-These are tasks that will be collected and/or evaluated, and assigned a grade.
Quizzes/ Quick Checks:
-These are in-class, independent, evaluations of a student’s skills based on prep tasks
Major Assessments, Writing Assignments, Long Term Projects, Exams:
-Skills Checks, and Quizzes/Quick Checks will culminate in these formal assessments.
Quarterly Average Calculation:
- 35% Major assessments, writing assignments, long term projects and exams
-30% Quizzes/ Quick Checks
-30% Skills Checks
-5% Organization/Preparedness
Expectations/Penalties/Consequences:
-If an assignment is accepted late, it will receive a 5 point per day reduction (10 Points over a weekend). Some assignments will not be accepted late, as it is always expected that work will be submitted when it is due. This of course excludes legal absences.
-NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED IN HONORS CLASSES
-No passes will be given for lockers upon entering or during class. You must arrive prepared and ready to participate in class. This means that all materials should be with you on a daily basis including a writing utensil, binder, any assignments that are due and any materials on which we are working.
-You are responsible for all novels and other reading materials that you sign out from the classroom. If you lose any item (this includes whole class and independent reading materials), you will be responsible for replacing it.
Our Essential Routines/Expectations:
-Entering the classroom- Working independently
-Exiting the classroom- Working in groups
-Returning from an absence - Participating in class discussions
-Being prepared- Working during direct instruction or presentations
-What to do if you are not prepared - Preparing work for submissions with an MLA Heading
Classroom Resources Inside and Outside of the Classroom:
-The classroom has an informational board that includes the day’s do now, agenda, upcomingskills checks, quizzes, and major assessments.
-I will have a class website that includes a calendar with assignments.
-My email address is . This is the manner in which I answer inquiries the quickest.
-There is also a classroom library for some of your independent reading needs.
Technology:
-Throughout the year, students will be required to do assignments that require the use of a computer and the internet. As the year begins, it is important that each student thinks about how he or she will fulfill the technology requirements that are given to him or her. Our school is equipped with a computer lab, Chrome Books and a library which possess all of the technologies each student will need to do required work.
Independent Reading:
-Specific Guidelines for independent reading assignments will be distributed in a timely fashion throughout the year. It is expected that students are always reading something independently of their choosing. You should choose books that pique your interest, expand your horizons, are on or above your current reading level, and not something you have read before. You will keep track of your reading on a reading calendar and be formally evaluated each quarter. There will be informal assessments and conferences during structured independent reading time in the classroom throughout the year. Iencourage you to share your recommendations with your peers.
Mr. Lewis
ELA 8 2015-2016 Quick View
September: Routines, Expectations, pre-assessment
Mid-September/Mid-October: Discovering Elements of Literature through Close Reading
-Determine central theme, central idea and analyze its development, relationship to characters, plot, and setting.
Mid-October/November: How Differing Structures Contribute to Meaning and Style
-Compare/contrast and analyze different text structures/genres, interpret, analyze, and evaluate narratives, poetry, and drama.
November-Mid-November: Distinguishing and Analyzing Non-Fiction Text Feature and Structures.
-Analyze in detail the structure of a specific portion of a text and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums to present a particular idea or topic.
Mid-November-January: The Art of Argument
-Delineate and evaluate the argument and claims; assess evidence
Mid-January/February: Exploring Language and Craft through Poetry
-Determine meaning of words and phrases as used in a text
February/Mid-March: Exploring Character
-Analyze how lines of dialogue or incidents in a story reveal aspects of character or provoke a decision.
Mid-March/April: Using Different Mediums to Present a Particular Topic or Idea
-Analyze how texts make connections among individuals, ideas, or events.
April/Mid-May: Teaching Narrative through Literature Circles
-Engage effectively in collaborative discussion, present claims and findings; emphasize salient points with evidence, reasoning, appropriate eye contact, volume, pronunciation.
Mid-May/End: Looking Back, Looking Forward
-Write narratives to support claims, write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences.
Student Name: ______
English 8 Contract and Acknowledgement of Classroom Overview
Please fill out and return to Mr. Lewis. This is the initial way that we contact you regarding your son/daughter. Please write neatly! It is greatly appreciated!
My child will access the internet to complete assignments that require certain technologies using a (Check any that apply):
___ Home Computer
___ School Computer during lunch/ study hall
___School computer after school
If there is anything else of which you would like me to be aware of concerning your child’s education or behavior, please describe here:
______
Parents- please review the following statements and answer accordingly.
1. It is fine to contact me at my work/home phone number during the day regarding concerns about my child’s academic performance or behavior: YES NO Work: ______
Phone: ______
2. I check email regularly: YES NO Parent/Guardian Email Address______
3. My child is available to stay after school for help if needed YES NO
I have read the English 8 Welcome Letter and Overview and fully understand the expectations of the classroom.
Student Signature ______Date ______
I have read the English 8 Welcome Letter and Overview and fully understand the expectations of the classroom.
Parent/ Guardian Signature ______Date ______