RMS Open House
8th Grade Language Arts
Melissa Sony
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lived in Houston for most of my life
- in Kingwood for 8 years
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taught at Riverwood for 7 years
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married with three children
- son, 2014 KHS grad - off to
- daughter, 10th @ KHS
- son, 7th @ RMS

enjoy reading, running, movies,
& outdoor concerts
Course Syllabus: First Semester
Literature: short stories, poetry, non-fiction, and drama
Students are expected to evaluate, analyze, and critique these
selections in writing and oral discussion with increasing depth and
complexity.
Writing: creative (short story), argument (persuasive),
research, and literary analysis. Students are expected to
incorporate blended quotations, concrete details,
commentary, and MLA format.
Grammar: applied grammar, sentence composing, and
varying sentence structure.
Vocabulary: SAT vocabulary words through Knowsys weekly
word lists and quizzes. Students will also study new words in
Literature Textbook
Holt McDougall Literature - Grade 8
We will use a class set.
Online Textbook info to come.
RELA 8 - Interactive Reader workbook
in addition to class set of textbooks and online
textbook.
Class Novel
Night – by Elie Wiesel
Night is Elie Wiesel’s masterpiece, a candid, horrific,
and deeply poignant autobiographical account of his
experience as a teenager in the Nazi death camps. And
in a substantive new preface, Elie reflects on the
enduring importance of Night and his lifelong, passionate
dedication to ensuring that the world never forgets
man’s capacity for inhumanity to man.
** It is a good idea for students to have their own copies
of novels to practice annotating, but it is not required.
Knowsys Vocabulary
Vocabulary program used throughout Humble ISD in grades 6-8
New word list assigned each Friday (10 words)
 Quiz each Friday (formative)
 TEST (summative) after each five groups of words

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Quizzes and Tests are cumulative
Word Group Lists and Alphabetical List with definitions are available
on my website
 Pre-made vocabulary cards are available for purchase @
myknowsys.com
 iPhone and Android apps also available at myknowsys.com

Accelerated Reader

Novels are on a point value system. Students need to
earn 20 points per nine week grading period.

Due dates are posted on my website
AR is a summative (test) grade
 All tests must be taken on a computer in my room.


AR is an ongoing homework assignment
Grading Information

Formative Assessments: 40%
Daily Work, Homework, and Quizzes

Summative Assessments: 60%
Tests, Projects, and A.R.

Testing days Tuesday and Thursday
RMS Grading Policy
All assignments will be accepted up to 4 days late. It is worth 80% of the earned
grade the 1st day late; the 2nd day is 60% credit of the earned grade, the 3rd day is
40% credit of the earned grade, and the 4th day is 20% credit of the earned grade .
After the fourth day late, no credit will be offered (“0” in grade book).
Grade book Codes:
A – student absent; needs to complete for makeup work
X – student exempt from assignment
O - final grade; teacher has requested missing work & student has not
complied
blank space – teacher has not yet entered grade
Make-up Work – district policy is 1 extra day per excused day absent
Tutoring
8th Grade
Wednesdays7:45-8:20 a.m.
Other days/times by appointment
*Anytime your child is absent, he or she needs to come to tutoring on
the first morning back to check the “Absent” student file & to ask for
clarification on missed assignments.
**I encourage students to come to tutoring as much as needed. They
can use that time to finish incomplete work, ask for help for help with
certain assignments, or to catch up on reading.
**Testing days are Tuesdays and Thursdays
Contact Info
Web Site
http://www.humbleisd.net/rms/msony
Email
melissa.sony@humble.k12.tx.us
Remind 101
To receive text message reminders
for ReLA tests & essay/AR due dates, sign up at:
Enter: (832)924-7664 Text: @66c58
Classroom Phone
281-641-4856
How Parents Can Help
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Check planners.
Check grades online.
Make sure students are reading.
Make sure students are reviewing vocabulary words.
Proofread essays, but don’t write or re-write.
Check the teacher’s website when absent.
Check the website to see if information is posted that wil
answer your question.
E-mail questions.
DON’T bring their “forgotten homework” to school.
Encourage independence.
IT’S GREAT TO
BE A
LONGHORN!
Thanks for coming! It’s going to be a great year.