Ms. Jorns’s Classroom Syllabus
8th Grade English
e-mail: LJorns@lcps.org
Please keep this Syllabus at the FRONT of your binder AT ALL TIMES!
1. Classroom Expectations:
 Bring your agenda daily
 Raise your hand to ask questions or speak.
 If you are absent, check my webpage under the tab “HW”. Once you return, take the homework from the
absent wall and ask me if you have any questions.
 If you need something related to class work, ask immediately.
 Come to class on time and prepared with pencils, binder, notebook, homework, agenda, and a book.
 Respect for everyone in the classroom is very important to me!
 Wait until I dismiss you from class.
2. Students need to make all bathroom, locker and water trips before class. If you absolutely have to leave the class,
you must have your agenda with you. Before asking permission to leave, fill out the time and destination in your
agenda. If you ask to leave without this done the answer will be no. You may not leave if someone else is already out;
if it is the first 10 minutes, or the last ten minutes of class.
3. Please ask for a resource pass for extra help. Resource can be used for extra help, completing assignments, makeup
work, or computer work that is relevant to a Language Arts assignment.
4. You may chew gum in class, but if I see it, hear it, or find it the WHOLE class loses their gum privileges for a month.
You may bring a bottle of water to class, but only water. No backpacks!
5. When using computers, you will follow the LCPS Acceptable Use Policy.
6. Discipline Policy/ Post- it Procedures- I expect you to respect each other and all teachers. When you do not
follow the class rules you receive one warning and a conference with me. I will place one post-it on your desk. This will
be a reminder to refocus and stop by my desk and conference with me before you leave. A second offense will result in
two post-it notes on your desk. This will result in a conference with me and home will be contacted by letter, e-mail or
call. A third offense will result in three post-its and a referral. If you behavior puts student learning at risk, I reserve the
right to send you out of the classroom immediately.
7. Electronic Devices Classroom Rules
- You must have my permission! You may use your own device OR use the ones I provide.
- Do not share your personal device with others.
- RBMS is not responsible for lost or stolen devices.
- Stay on the proper webpage
- No texting! No social media!
- If you aren't sure if it's okay ASK ME!
- If I say "pause" you must at that moment place your device face up on the desk and place your hands in your lap. I
should be able to walk from person to person to see what webpage you are on.
- If the trust is broken, you will not be allowed to use devices in this class
- Inappropriate use will result in disciplinary actions
8. Units we will cover this year and some items of interest…
-Short Story Unit
-The Outsiders**Feel free to purchase a personal copy when the time comes so you can write in the novel and review
on your own time. This is optional.
-Memoir
-Persuasive Essay
-Writing Workshops
-Reading Workshops
-Students Portfolios
**Writing (March) AND Reading (May) SOLs**
9. The alphabetical designation will be used on the report card. The nine-week grades will be a composite of all
evaluations made during the grading period. Grades will be printed out for Report Cards. If your parent or
guardian would like to contact me in reference to your grades, they may do so. Please sign up for our
online gradebook as it is updated at least every 10 days.
10. Required Classroom Materials:
 Agenda
 Pen and Pencil
 One-inch binder- with loose leaf paper and at least 4 dividers using the suggested format below:
o Divider #1: Homework
o Divider #2:Vocabulary
o Divider #3: Literature
o Divider #4: Writing / Grammar
 Journal (spiral or composition notebook…you may need to purchase an additional journal later in the year…get
TWO if you can!)
Suggested Supplies: (keep in your locker…as needed)
 Index Cards
 Highlighters (in 3 different colors)
 Colored Pens for corrections (green, pink, purple, or orange)
Donations are appreciated:
o Book donations for our classroom library
o Tissues and/or wipes
o Index Cards/Loose leaf/Pen/Pencils/ Markers
Rules may be added or changed as the year goes on. I will inform you of any changes/additions.
I have read and understand the class expectations:
Student: _______________________________________
Parent/ Guardian:_________________________________
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions, comments or concerns.
“Good Eats”
An Interdisciplinary Experience
Unit Summary
In this yearlong unit, students will
discover the connection between
nutrition
and
health.
As
an
interdisciplinary study, students will
connect their learning in English,
Science, Algebra, and Civics. They will
then apply their studies to real world
experiences. Our overall exploration
will be answering the question of how
does what we eat affect our health?
Students will explore topics ranging
from serving sizes, food classification,
government
nutritional
suggests,
reading nutritional labels and much
more. The students will use this
knowledge to analyze nutrition on a
personal and community level, which
will lead to real world application.
This unit will include direct instruction, classroom discussion, and will utilize some resource time
for individual and group research. In each class a variety of SOL standards will be addressed
to meet the requirements of this unit. Each quarter students will have a focused question or
topic to direct their research. Throughout the instructional period, students will reflect on their
findings and synthesize their acquired knowledge. At various points, students will
demonstrate both their academic and technical learning in a variety of ways, including
expository essay writing, presentations, and other written and applied work.
With this unit students will be able to see how curriculum in each course connects, use critical
thinking, develop research skills, communication skills, and see the real world application of
their own knowledge.