HIGHLAND WEST JUNIOR HIGH
8th GRADE Language Arts, 8th Grade LA Pre-AP, 8th Grade Advanced Literacy
Teachers- Susan Harris, Nancy Rapp, Misty Raprich, Joyce Winkler
COURSE OUTLINE
I. Name of Course: 8th grade Language Arts, Pre-AP, Advanced Literacy
II. Textbooks: The Language of Literature, Literature with a Purpose, Writing with Power
III. Curricular Software: Study Island, Read 180
IV. Instructors:
Susan Harris, Nancy Rapp, Misty Raprich, Joyce Winkler
V. Description of Course: This course will provide all students with learning experiences that will prepare
them to:
-
Write clearly, concisely, and effectively with grammatical accuracy.
Express themselves orally with clarity, proper enunciation, and grammatical correctness.
Listen attentively and critically; ask questions and seek answers.
Read and view with understanding and appreciation the various forms of literature and visual
arts including classical and contemporary literature.
VI. Course Objectives: PASS will be followed in order to accomplish all of the objectives put forth in the
Language Arts Curriculum Guide.
VII. Instructional Methods: Oral and silent reading, discussion, lecture, video, Cooperative learning,
technology, writing, speaking, vocabulary in context, and journaling.
VIII. Major Assignments or Exams: Students will write a narrative essay, descriptive essay, expository
essay, a research report, and a persuasive essay that will be kept in their English binders. Students
will read and analyze Chains, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Schwa Was Here, The Giver, The
Outsiders, and various other novels of student and teacher choosing. At the end of each grading
period, an exam will be given according to the HWJH testing schedule.
IX. Student Learning Activities: Textbook assignments, worksheets, essays, Internet/library research,
literary projects, homework, and various assignments as decided upon by the instructor.
X. Expectations for Student Conduct: Be respectful, be on time, be prepared, be cooperative, and follow
the student handbook.
XI. Consequences: Verbal warning, student conference, lunch detention, before of after-school detention,
parent contact, referral.
XII. Evaluation of Student Progress: Language Arts teachers record grades numerically using points or
percentages. Extra credit may be offered to the entire class not to exceed 5% of the total semester
grade. Long-term assignments which require several days to complete are due on or before the due
date and will not be accepted late. Daily work, if not turned in on the due date, will be accepted
according to the guidelines set out in the course syllabus. Student will not be allowed to use
supplemental aids during semester exams.