2012-2013 Syllabus

8-2 Communication Arts

Mrs. Carol Lena ** Room 208 **

Welcome to 8th Grade Communication Arts! I am excited to have you in my class. Expect many new, fun, and challenging experiences as we grow as readers and writers this year. Please share the information with your guardians and return the back sheet to school by August 17.

Materials:

Please have the following materials by Friday, August 17

+ One Composition Notebook

+ One 3-Ring Binder, at least 2 inches, with tabs (you may use your binder from last year if it is in good shape)

+ Three highlighters: one green, one yellow, one blue

+ One pack of 3x5 notecards, lined

+ One pack of 1.5x2 post-it notes

Standards Based Grading:

If you’ve ever been a member of a team, you know the value of practice. Your coach doesn’t expect you to be perfect right away. Instead, he probably expects you to show up to practice where he can teach you a new skill and give you feedback while you practice that skill. Practice is a safe time for you to work on a skill, to make some mistakes, and ultimately grow stronger. It is not until the game that your ability is truly evaluated; can you make a goal? Guard against an opponent? Your coach expects you to show your best ability at the game.

This year, your learning will be evaluated similarly to the situation above. After a new skill is introduced,I’ll provide manyopportunities for you to practice the skill, giving you feedback on your growth. These “practice” assignments will be worth 0-10 points, truly allowing you to grapple with the skill. Then, after several practices, you will demonstrate your strongest ability and understanding on a test, quiz, or performance assessment. These assessments will carry the most weight (around 100 points), as they should demonstrate your best understanding.

The feedback and points you receive will be based on the rubric below.

4: Advanced
To earn this score, your work must consistently demonstrate mastery of the skill beyond grade-level expectation. An advanced score, 4, exceeds our goal.
4+44-
98%-100%95%92% / 3: Proficient
To earn this score, your work meets expectations of the skill for our grade level. A proficient score, 3, is our goal.
3+33-
88%85%82%
2: Basic
To earn this score, your work shows progress towards meeting the goal. With some more practice, you should see growth to a 3.
2+22-
78%75%72% / 1: Below Basic
To earn this score, your work shows struggle towards meeting the standard. If your work consistently falls in this category, expect me to ask you to stay after for some extra help.
1+11-
68%65%62%

So, if you receive a “3” on a practice assignment worth ten points, your score will be recorded as follows:

8.5/10

Expect a skill-specific rubric to accompany your work; this will let you know why you received the score. Also expect feedback from me about next steps.

Retakes and Resubmissions:

  • If you are unhappy with a score received on a practice or final assignment, you have the option to redo the work. Your resubmitted assignment will be rescored; this score will override the score you first received.
  • To begin the retake process, you must request a lunch or SSR conference. At this conference, we will discuss the assignment, why you received the score you did, and what you’ve done to prepare for a retake. After this discussion, I will provide an alternate assignment for you to complete.
  • Please listen in class for deadlines regarding retakes.
  • Because you have the ability to resubmit assignments to show your true understanding of a skill, no extra credit will be given.

Late Work:

  • You are expected to submit all work in accordance with the deadline given in class. If you do not submit work on the due date, you will be given a “Missing” in the grade book until you turn it in. Your score will not be lowered if you complete the assignment.
  • Any work not submitted by the end of the unit will be given a zero.

Tardies and Absences:

You are expected to arrive to class on time and prepared everyday. Students who are not in the classroom and starting the “Do Now” at the bell will be marked “Tardy” in Infinite Campus. Excessive unexcusedtardies will result in disciplinary action, including lunch detentions and after school detentions.

Other Notes:

  • You are expected to have an Independent Reading Book with you at all times.
  • Homework is posted on the board DAILY, and it can also be found on homework hotline.
  • The day’s learning goal (I CAN Statement) is posted on the board DAILY.
  • Questions regarding high school placement will be addressed second trimester when students take the placement essay.
  • Please review the note about late work and see me if you have any questions.

After you have read this syllabus and shared it with your parents, please have them complete the attached sheet. Submit to Mrs. Lena by August 17.

8-2 Communication Arts

Parent Survey

After reviewing the syllabus with your student, please complete the following questions and then send back to school with your student. An envelope has been provided to encourage confidentiality.

Student Name:______Block: ______

Parents/Guardians Names:

Siblings’ names:

1. What are your child’s strengths, both inside and outside school? Please list/describe them:

2. Does your child have any struggles with learning that you would like me to be aware of at this time? If so, feel free to explain below.

3. In the event that I need to contact you, what is your preferred method of communication?

Email:

Phone: Home:Cell:Work:

Best times to call:

It is my goal to help your child grow as a reader and writer this year. If there is any other information you feel I should know about your child to ensure a successful school year, feel free to write it on the back of this form or email me at .

Thank you for your time in completing this survey!

Parent/Guardian Signature:______