Dear Parents and Students: Welcome to
ENGLISH 8, 2012-2013
Mrs. Reed, Room 126, 566-5670 ext. 1126
Email: sreed@upsd.wednet.edu
Website: www.upsd.wednet.edu
Directions: Students, please
1.
2.
Ask your parents to read the syllabus with you
Have your parents fill out and sign the Parent
Contact Form
3.
4.
Return the Parent Contact Form to Mrs. Reed on
or before this date: _____________
Keep this copy of your syllabus immediately after
the English tab in your notebook.
Class Description:
English 8 focuses on the continuing development of speaking, writing, and reading skills. The writing process is reviewed with an
emphasis on formal expository writing through character analysis, persuasive writing, and narrative writing. Reading strategies for
English literature and all subject areas are taught throughout the year. Students will also explore examples of a variety of different
genres of literature, including short stories, novels, drama, and poetry.
The English 8 curriculum map is available at the CJHS website. Some of the units we will cover in English 8 include:
First Semester Units
Second Semester Units
Nonfiction: Reading strategies, comprehension skills, media
study, Jamestown Critical Reading Series, Scholastic Scope
magazines
Persuasion: Argumentation, advertisements, loaded
language, rhetoric, persuasive writing
Short Story: Elements of a short story—plot, character,
theme, symbolism, conflict, etc.
Novel: The Pearl by John Steinbeck
Drama: The Diary of Anne Frank (play version) by Frances
Goodrich and Albert Hackett
Novel: The Giver by Lois Lowry
Oral History: Interviewing techniques, oral presentation, narrative
writing
Novel: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Skills Reinforced All Year
Writing: Jane Schaffer writing format and terminology
(You will keep your writing in a portfolio so you can look back on your progress throughout the school year.)
Reading: Reading strategies and Book of the Month Activities
(You will read both inside and outside of the classroom with groups and individually.)
Vocabulary: Vocabulary strategies, quizzes, projects, and reviews
Grammar: Parts-of-speech, editing, and other proper ways of writing and speaking.
Classroom Expectations: Respect and Responsibility
Work hard.
Be nice.
Respect yourself and others.
Act in a safe and healthy way.
Treat all property with respect.
Use appropriate language.
Take responsibility for your learning.
Be on time: to class and with assignments (seated when bell rings)
Be prepared: bring agenda, notebook, listed supplies.
Be involved: listen actively, ask questions, take notes.
Discipline Policy
1. Verbal warning
2. Teacher-student discussion
3. Parent Notification/Lunch Detention
4. Referral to Vice-Principal
Tardy Policy
1. “Watch the Time.”
2. Teacher/student discussion
3. Parent notification/Lunch detention
4. Referral to the Vice-Principal
Curtis Junior High rules will be followed in our classroom at all times. Please know them – check your agenda.
Classroom Supplies-(Required in class each day!) Independent reading book; CJH Planner; white notebook paper with smooth
edges; three-ring notebook with an English divider; pencil pouch with the following: pens (blue and black ink only), pencils/pencil
sharpener/eraser, and highlighter. Optional: Computer memory stick.
Absences: It is your responsibility to pick up your assignments after an absence. You will have the number of days absent plus one
day to turn in missed work. Pick up your assignments from your portfolio folder in the classroom or from the class website. Mrs.
Reed will happily answer any questions you have before or after school. Attendance is important; missing class will negatively
impact your learning and possibly lower your grade.
Hall Passes: You must use your agenda for all passes when exiting this classroom. You have 5 hall passes per semester for the
restroom. You may bring a clear water bottle to class (absolutely NO flavored drinks).
Grades in English 8 will be determined as follows:
Assessment Practice (e.g., practice, strategy work, homework):
Assessment (e.g., essays, unit exams, vocabulary quizzes):
40%
60%
Skyward Family Access Instructions: You can access your grades and the status of missing work at your convenience at the district’s
website. If students do not have access at home, the library computers are available for student use before and after school, as well
as most lunches. Log-in information and passwords are available from the school office: 566-5670. To access the online grade
book:
1. Go to www.upsd.wednet.edu
3. Type in Login (available in CJH office)
2. Click on Skyward Family Access
4. Type in Password (available in CJH office)
Choose to create a habit of achievement.
“A” and “B” students fully complete work and turn it in on time.
Late and Incomplete Work Policy: For full credit, all assignments must be 100% completed and turned in at the date and time
specified when the assignment was given.
It is the student’s responsibility to know the due date. Due dates are announced by the teacher and posted prominently in the room.
If a student is absent on a due date, the assignment is due upon the student’s return. If a student believes an illness, special event,
unusual circumstance, or absence makes a due date impossible to meet, it is the student’s responsibility to talk with Mrs. Reed
before or after school before the due date.
Late work will be accepted until the day of the current unit’s culminating assessment (final unit exam date or essay due date). Any
late work, for any reason, will automatically receive a 20% score deduction (highest maximum score will be 80%). Please note, late
work will be put in the grade book at the teacher’s convenience; on-time work receives first priority for feedback and for grading.
Incomplete assignments will initially be entered in the grade book at 50%. Assignments are expected to be fully completed – every
question, every section. Directions are expected to be followed carefully. For example, if an assignment calls for the use of complete
sentences in the answer, failure to use complete sentences will result in an incomplete grade. Students can finish and/or correct
returned incomplete work and turn it in as late work (80% will be maximum achievable score; this applies to “no name” papers,
also).
“When the teacher says
‘I am the one that makes learning possible in the classroom
and I am committed to make it happen’
and the student says
‘I will do everything that I can to learn. I am ready to learn,’
that is when the magic of learning really happens.”
--Ben Johnson