Eighth Grade English
Brenda Dubovick
EN08
bkdubovick@mpsaz.org
472-8343
Kelley Brown
EN08/EN16
kmholmes@mpsaz.org
472-8340
Christine Miller
EN07/ EN08
cmmiller@mpsaz.org
472-8345
Alissa Hall
EN08
aehall@mpsaz.org
472-8374
Christina Cronin
EN08
cmcronin@mpsaz.org
472-8350
Marissa Frazey
EN08/EN16
mafrazey@mpsaz.org
472-8342
ELA Standards
 Arizona's
Common Core ELA Standards.
► http://www.azed.gov/k12-literacy/elastandards/
The focus of this course will be to have
students master the objectives set forth by
the Core Curriculum Standards for both
Reading and Writing.
Why Common Core State
Standards?
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Preparation: The standards are college- and career-ready. They will
help prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to
succeed in education and training after high school.
Competition: The standards are internationally benchmarked.
Common standards will help ensure our students are globally
competitive.
Equity: Expectations are consistent for all – and not dependent on a
student’s zip code.
Clarity: The standards are focused, coherent, and clear. Clearer
standards help students (and parents and teachers) understand what
is expected of them.
Collaboration: The standards create a foundation to work
collaboratively across states and districts, pooling resources and
expertise, to create curricular tools, professional development,
common assessments and other materials.
PARCC Timeline
► This
is the second full year we are
implementing the ELA Core Standards.
► 2014-15 will be the first PARCC
Assessment.
► PARCC will replace AIMS.
Common Core Focus
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Reading
 Balance of literature and informational texts
 Text complexity
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Writing
 Emphasis on argument and informative/explanatory writing
 Writing about sources
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Speaking and Listening
 Inclusion of formal and informal talk
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Language
 Includes vocabulary and conventions
 Stress on general academic and domain-specific vocabulary
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Reading and Writing in History, Science, & Technical Subjects
 Complement rather than replace the content standards
Example: http://www.azed.gov/standards-developmentassessment/files/2012/07/grade-8-summary-of-changes-documentassessment-6-22-124.pdf
Eighth Grade English PLC
Expectations
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Students will come to class prepared and ready to
actively engage in their own learning.
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Warm-ups will start every class period and are
expected to be finished within the first 5 minutes
of the period.
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Students need to respect themselves and group
members during instruction and discussion.
Eighth Grade English PLC
Expectations – Continued
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Students are expected to request make-up work
before or after the class period. As per district
policy, students are given two days for each
excused absence (suspensions are not included).
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The teacher dismisses class, not the bell. Do not
pack up early.
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Students must respect themselves, others, and
classroom property.
th
8
Grade Calendar
Parents and students should visit their teachers’
calendars to find out important information like what
topics/concepts are being taught and important due
dates.
Teacher calendars can be found by going to the
Fremont website, clicking on the STAFF tab at the top,
and then locating the teacher’s name.
Each teacher updates her own calendar.
Staying Informed
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Students will be required to utilize their planners this
school year. Here are the 4 ways they will be expected to
use it:
Record homework everyday, which will be posted in
every classroom.
Record major due dates in planner for upcoming tests
or projects. Students should check teacher calendars for dates.
Students must present their planner as their pass to go
places on campus.
Use their planner as a reference for important information.
Grades will not be written in the planner. Students and
parents should continue to use MyMps to monitor grades.
School-Wide Non-Negotiables
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Students will follow the rules outlined in
the Fremont Student Handbook including
dress code.
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Students will arrive to class on time and
ready to work. Tardies will be
documented.
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All electronic devices (ipods, cell phones,
etc.) MUST be turned off. Failure to do so
will result in the item being confiscated
and turned into the office for parent
pickup.
School-Wide Grading Policy
Assessments: 80%
Assessments may be separated into categories:
Example:
Major Assessments
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Unit (chapter) assessments
Essays, research papers, presentations, etc.
District (Course/Grade Level) Assessments such as Acuity, DRP, CRT,
etc.
Minor Assessments
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Quizzes, ticket out the door, discussion questions, etc.
School-Wide Grading Policy
Assignments: 20%
• Independent practice on daily work (daily assignments
and homework)
• Warm ups
• Participation
• Notes
Students have until the end of the quarter to turn in
missing work for partial credit.
Suggested Materials
The following materials will help students
perform better academically during this 8th
grade experience.
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Pencils (mechanical pencils/lead)
Pens (blue/black)
Loose-leaf notebook paper
2 – pocket folder with 3-prongs (for the
literacy handbook)
• We recommend plastic folders as they last
longer.