8th Grade English Syllabus
Richland Junior High
2007-2008
Course Description: Eighth Grade Language Arts is designed to involve the student in
applying reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing skills in an independent
manner through meaningful interdisciplinary tasks. Students will continue to develop
an appreciation for literature through the study of literary elements in classic and
contemporary selections. Emphasis is placed on moving from the literal to the abstract in
the students’ critical thinking skills and in the use of language.
Methods of Instruction: Students will be engaged in the learning process by :
 Individual exploration and research
 Group lectures and discussions
 Small group team oriented activities
 Hands-on activities such as projects and portfolio work
 Oral presentations
 Written compositions
Course Competencies
(Taken from the Rankin County School District Language Arts Curriculum)
1. Use word recognition and vocabulary skills to communicate.
2. Apply strategies and skills to comprehend, respond to, interpret, or evaluate a variety
of texts of increasing levels of difficulty.
3. Express, communicate, evaluate, or exchange ideas effectively.
4. Apply Standard English to communicate
Course Theme: Exploration of the human experience and triumph over adversity.
Course Expectations:
 Attendance is necessary to keep up with the class. If a student misses class time,
they are missing the instruction time needed to learn a skill. However, if a
student must miss class, they are required to make up missed work in a timely
manner (1 day for each excused day missed, after which deductions will be made
for late work).
 Students are expected to be in their seat when the tardy bell rings. If not, they
will be counted tardy. Four tardies will earn a morning detention.
 Students are required to participate in class and be respectful to their peers,
themselves, and their teacher. Consequences for misconduct may include
detention, written assignments, parent notification, or office referral.
 Plagiarism and cheating have no place in a community of learners. Each student
is required to put forth their personal best. Everyone has something important
and valuable to add to our learning experience. If a student is suspected of
plagiarism or cheating, the parents and the principal will be notified and
consequences will be determined.

Students are required to keep up with their assigned reading and turn in
assignments on time. Students will lose valuable learning experiences if they
come to class unprepared.
Major Works and Assignments: We have many exciting and enriching activities to
look forward to this year. Some of these will require outside preparation and the aid of
a parent to be successful. Here is a list of required major projects that each student will
be responsible for.
 Summer Reading: Each Accelerated student will be responsible for 2 novels to
have been read over the summer. Tests for these novels will take place
approximately two weeks after the beginning of the year. Regular English
students have the option to test on a book for extra credit. Eighth grade
selections are: Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt, Hoops by Walter Dean Myers,
Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter, and Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton.
 Research Paper and PowerPoint: Each student will go through the process of
researching a person and creating a 2 page research report and PowerPoint
presentation (Accelerated). This activity will take place during the 3rd 9 Weeks
and will count as several grades. It is imperative that your child keep up with
their work and deadlines. They will be responsible for 20 note cards, 5 sources,
an outline, works cited page, rough and final copy of their paper.
 Independent book Studies: Each nine weeks, Accelerated English students will
be responsible for an independent study of a fiction novel that must be approved
by the teacher. The student may choose from a list of assignments based on their
novel. They may choose a typical “book report” or they may choose from a
number of portfolio activities that will be due one week before final exams. They
will also be responsible for keeping up with a reading journal, due at the same
time.
 Class Novels: We will read and study several novels as a class. Various activities
and projects will be tied to the novels. These readings may include, but are not
restricted to:
o The Diary of Anne Frank
o The Outsiders
o “Flowers for Algernon”
o The Giver
o And Then There Were None
o A Christmas Carol
o Hoot
 Literature Circles: Each semester students will be grouped together to engage in
a group novel study. Students will be able to select from a number of novels
selected by the teacher. The groups will set reading goals and will hold meetings
periodically to analyze and explore the novel. The teams will build a portfolio of
assignments and will be charged with creating a group project and test.
o Twilight trilogy
o The Uglies, The Pretties, The Specials
o Eragon and Eldest
o The Hero and the Crown
o Call of the Wild
o The Yearling
o When the Legends Dies
o The House of Dies Drear
o The Glory Field
o Crash Course
o The Moves make the Man
o Call it Courage
o Bat 6
o Night John
 Interview of a WWII Survivor: (Accelerated) As a tie in with our unit of the
Holocaust and The Diary of Anne Frank, around Veteran’s Day, each student will
need to interview someone from the time of WWII. This can be a veteran,
woman, or child that grew up during that time. There will be guided questions
to help lead the students toward a good interview. We will ask that these
interviews be recorded if at all possible, so as to help preserve the valuable
personal stories and historical significance of these interviews. We feel that this
is a valuable and unique experience for students, to capture these stories and
become historians themselves. However, if you cannot find a good interviewee,
then an alternate assignment will be given.
 Enrichment: Throughout the year, the students may be presented with optional
enriching experiences. Experiences that we’ve had in the past include: fieldtrips
to plays and movies, a trip to New Orleans to see the WWII museum, and a
themed dinner mystery party. Hopefully, we will have many opportunities for
these types of experiences this year.
Grading: Students will be graded in a variety of ways including formal assessments
such as tests; participations grades for daily work; and authentic assessments using
rubrics for oral presentations, projects, and written assignments.
Students will be
encouraged to self evaluate their work and to evaluate their peers’ work. The grading
scale is as follows:
 100 - 95 = A
 94 – 85 = B
 84 – 75 = C
 74 – 70 = D
 69 and below = F
Thank you for being involved and active in your student’s educational experience. We
look forward to a great year!
Eighth Grade English Department
Lori Senger (lori.senger@rcsd.ms)
Kimberly Waites (kimberly.waites@rcsd.ms)
Lisa Tilghman (lisa.tilghman@rcsd.ms)