Mrs. Lapajne
klapajne@smmusd.org
(310) 457-6801 (74226)
Language Arts 8 Course Description, Policies and Syllabus
Welcome to 8th grade Language Arts! Our goal this year is to prepare students for the rigor of high school
English. Our primary text will be the McDougal Littell Literature anthology. The Common Core State
Standards for 8th Grade Language Arts are the basis of our curriculum.
We will take a thematic approach to our studies this year. Our theme is “The Power of Words”. We will pay
particular attention to the ways that words can influence our thinking. As we read The Diary of Anne Frank and
Boy in the Striped Pajamas, we will learn about the power of propaganda. We will also analyze present day
advertisements and political messages while we discuss common persuasive techniques we confront daily. As
we read about Charlie’s experiences with intelligence in “Flowers for Algernon” and Scout’s experiences with
justice and injustice in To Kill a Mockingbird, we will look at the ways that words can be used to help and to
harm people. As we study poetry, we will see the beautiful power that a single well-chosen word can hold. And
as we learn new academic vocabulary, we will see how these analytical tools allow us to gain a richer
understanding of what we read. As we conduct interviews, give and listen to speeches, engage in research, hold
class discussions and debates, and read a wide array of fiction and non-fiction, we will continue to think about
the power that words hold in influencing the ways we view the world.
Another primary focus this year will be writing formal, argumentative essays. Students will be required to cite
evidence from a variety of reliable sources to back-up their ideas. They must also anticipate counter arguments
and address them.
Students must also read books of their own choice and at their reading level throughout the year. Although we
will not have formal book reports, parents will be asked to help me monitor outside reading by signing the
“Pages Read” reading log to verify that reading is taking place at home. Students will also complete a variety
of other projects and assignments: quick-writes, nightly homework (Monday through Thursday), quizzes, tests,
oral presentations, goal-setting activities, and group work.
General Grading Policy
Class grades will be based on points. Projects and essays account for roughly 30% of the class grade.
Homework accounts for about 20% of the class grade. Quizzes and tests account for about 30% of the class
grade, and participation/in-class work account for about 20% of the class grade.
Outstanding
100%
= A+
99-94% = A
93-90% = A-
Above Average
89-88% = B+
87-84% = B
83-80% = B-
Average
78-79% = C+
77-74% = C
73-70% = C-
Below Average
69-68% = D+
67-64% = D
63-60% = D59-0% = F
Absences and Tardies
If you are absent, please talk to a trustworthy classmate (a “study buddy”) to determine the work you missed,
what is due, and when it will be due. If you still have questions, then see me.
Make-up/ Late Work
If you have a valid, excused absence readmit, the following policies apply:
● Quizzes and Tests -- It is your responsibility to arrange for a make-up quiz or test. You have one week
from the date of the quiz/test to arrange for and take the quiz/test. You will earn a zero (the lowest F possible)
if you do not meet these time constraints. (Extenuating circumstances will be handled on a case by case basis.
A parent/guardian should notify me as soon as possible in the case of an extended absence.)
● Other Assignments – You get one day to turn in an assignment for each day that you miss.
If you are not absent and the work is just late, the following policies apply:
Work is due within the first minute that class starts. Assembling packets, stapling, etc. should happen before
you enter our class. I must have a paper print out at this time. I will not accept USB flash drives, laptop proof,
e-mailed attachments, etc. Do not ask to call a parent so he/she can bring your work to class. It will be late
whether I receive it the same day or the next day.
● Assignments worth 30 points or less – these assignments automatically drop 50% the first day they are late.
I will not accept late work past the second late day on these smaller assignments, and you will earn an automatic
zero at this point.
● Assignments worth more than 30 points– these assignments will go down 10% (one letter grade) for each
day they are late. I will not accept late work past the 10th late day on these larger assignments, and you will
earn an automatic zero at this point.
*Note: Always turn in work even if it is late. Some points are better than no points.
Extra Credit
The most that extra credit can improve your class grade is a half of a letter grade per semester. (This is roughly
35 points per semester.) Check with me if you think you may have reached the maximum allowable points per
semester before you complete an assignment. You need to come up with an extra credit idea that relates to our
class. Then you must get your idea approved by me before you begin working on it. You can earn 0-15 points
per assignment, depending on the quality of the work. You must present your extra credit to the class. All extra
credit work must be typed. I will stop accepting extra credit two weeks before the end of each grading period
(progress report and final report card times.)
Extra Help
Please make an appointment with me, at least one day in advance, if you want extra help. I can meet before
school, during nutrition and during lunch.
Cheating and Plagiarism
Cheating and plagiarism are extremely serious offenses. If I find that either cheating or plagiarism has occurred
on any type of assignment, all parties involved will be punished. Automatically receiving a zero on the
assignment is just one of the consequences. According to school policy, I must also report you to an
administrator.
Setting Up Your Language Arts Notebook
I will check your language arts notebook (or language arts section in a larger binder) randomly to see that you
are staying organized. Create these sections when organizing your class binder:
1. Assignments due Today in Language Arts Class (You can also keep this work in the front pocket of your
binder if you prefer.)
2. Reading/Writing (for your “Pages Read” reading log, essay work, CSL Project, etc.)
3. Vocabulary, Grammar, and Spelling (for your Word Wall vocabulary log, grammar mini lessons, etc.)
4. Miscellaneous (for anything else that doesn’t seem to have a clear place to go)
Suggested Supplies
- #2 pencils
- blue or black ink pens
- red ink pens
- flash drive
- box of thin crayons, colored pencils or thin markers
- light colored highlighter
Optional, Most Appreciated Classroom Supplies
- Kleenex
- liquid hand soap
- paper towels
- thin and thick markers
- color copy paper
Guest Speakers
Parents, relatives and friends that hold expertise in any topic we study this year are welcome to be guest
speakers for our class. In the past, Holocaust Survivors, authors, high school students and college students have
visited to share their experiences. Please consider being a part of this type of education for our 8th graders!
Please sign below and return this entire sheet to me. (I will give it back soon for your records.)
I am aware of and agree to the policies of Language Arts.
______________________________________
Parent/ Guardian Signature and Date
_____________________________
Student Signature and Date
8th Grade Language Arts Syllabus (2015-2016)
Semester 1
Date
CCSS Curriculum
August
Reading Focus: Summer Reading and “Pages Read”
Writing Focus: Narrative, Critique, and Explanatory
Conventions Focus: Parts of Speech
Reading Focus: The Giver and Informational Texts
Writing Focus: Argumentative, Analytical, and Creative
Conventions Focus: Subjects, Predicates and Fragments
Reading Focus: The Giver and Informational Texts
Writing Focus: Argumentative, Analytical, and Compare/Contrast
Conventions Focus: Spelling and P.A.T. (Purpose, Audience, Tone)
Reading Focus: “Flowers for Algernon,” “The Tell-Tale Heart” and Poetry
Writing Focus: Analytical and Creative
Conventions Focus: Common Errors to Avoid
Reading Focus: The Diary of Anne Frank and Informational Texts
Writing Focus: Argumentative, Analytical, and Informational
Conventions Focus: Capitalization
FINAL EXAMS: December 16 - 18
September
October
November
December
(Winter Break: Dec. 19Jan. 5)
Semester 2
Reading Focus: “I Have a Dream”, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and
Non-fiction Articles
Writing Focus: Argumentative, Analytical, and Informational
Conventions Focus: Commas, Semi-Colons, Ellipses, Dashes and Colons
February
Reading Focus: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and Non-fiction
Writing Focus: Argumentative, Compare/Contrast, and Informational
Conventions Focus: Verbals (Gerunds, Participles and Infinitives)
March
Reading Focus: To Kill a Mockingbird, Non-fiction Articles/ Research
(Spring Break: March 19 Writing Focus: Argumentative (Debate), Analytical, and Informational
April 3)
Conventions Focus: Active and Passive Voice
April
Reading Focus: To Kill a Mockingbird and Informational Texts
Writing Focus: Argumentative, Analytical, and Informational
(State Testing: TBD)
Conventions Focus: Review
May/June
Reading Focus: Short Stories and Non-Fiction Texts
(The Promotion Ceremony
Writing Focus: Culminating Activities
is 9am on June 9th.)
(Exit Interview, Promotion Speech and Optional Optimist Club Speech)
Conventions Focus: Review
FINAL EXAMS: June 6 - 8
January