Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts

English Language Arts 8th Grade Syllabus

2016-2017

Christine Tocionis

Kinsella’s eighth grade English Language Arts course is designed to help students develop as critical readers and become more deliberate and skilled writers. Our curriculum foundations are adopted from the Expeditionary Learning curricula. Below is the link for all curriculum modules in the eighth grade.

We will read, discuss, analyse, write about, respond to, integrate the arts and design projects based on the following central texts:

Module One: Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

  • Focus: Finding Home: Refugees

Module Two: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

  • Focus: Taking a Stand

Module Three: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

  • Focus: American Relations during World War II

Module Four: Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollen

  • Focus: Sustainability of the US Food Supply Chain

In addition to the central texts, the curriculum is supplemented with a diverse variety of narrative non- fiction and creative non-fiction.

Students will be given their own copies of these texts and consumable student workbooks ( lost copies must be replaced by the students).

Independent Reading

Each student is required to read thirty minutes nightly from a self- selected independent reading book. Independent reading is essential for continued intellectual growth. Most often, class time will be allocated daily for independent reading. During this time, I will also review student journals and conduct mini reading conferences. Our classroom library is rife with books of all genres. Students will be required to present one independent reading project per marking period. Students need to have their independent reading books with them at all times.

Grading

Grading categories and weights of categories are as follows:

  • Reading Standards: 20%
  • Writing Process: 20%
  • Independent Reading: 20%
  • Assessments: 20%
  • Projects: 20%

The writing process will be a focus this year culminating with four academic essays that will be featured in writing portfolios.

Grammar instruction will be based on helping students clarify and strengthen their writing.

Other instructional elements include class discussion, collaborative group protocols, reading aloud and informative journal writing.

Materials

It is expected that students bring the following items to class each day:

  • Central text
  • Response Notebook
  • Independent reading selection and student reading log
  • Student consumable curriculum workbook

Each student will have a work portfolio kept in class. Parents are welcome to request portfolio during conferences or at any point.

Communication

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Remindis a way that I send group texts to your phone. This mode of communication is used for important eighth grade reminders and announcements. Please go to the website for instructions or ask your student to provide the written instructions passed out the first week of school.

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I am looking forward to a productive year as we work together to prepare our student for high school.

Ms. Tocionis