Welcome to 8th Grade Language
Arts
Ms. Dowd
We are Family!
• Only positive comments
• Respect each other and your
classmates ideas/questions
• Zero tolerance for bullying or
negative comments
Parts of the Class
Curriculum
• Reading Literature and
Informational Text.
• Vocabulary (Literature Terms,
Everyday Words, and Roots)
• Application of Skills- analyzing,
evaluating, etc.
• Grammar
• Writing for a variety of purposes.
SHOW YOUR
S.P.O.T.S.
Classroom Expectations
Show Respect
– To yourself, to your peers, and
to teachers through the words
and actions you use.
– Leave things better than when
you got there.
Classroom Expectations
Positive Attitude
– Failure leads to success.
– Make mistakes and learn from
them!
Classroom Expectations
Own Your Actions
– If you make a poor decision, take
responsibility for that decision.
– Tell the truth.
Classroom Expectations
Think First before you speak
– Is it true
– Is it helpful
– Is it inspiring
– Is it necessary
– Is it kind
Classroom Expectations
Stay Safe
– Think of the well being of
yourself and of those around you
before acting.
Just remember….
•WORK HARD!
•BE NICE!
•GET SPOTS
TICKETS!
Daily Materials
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1 Inch Binder(You can keep this in class.)
Notebook paper for your binder.
Folder- for taking Language Arts work home
Something to write with: Pen (blue/black) or Pencil
Independent reading book
Agenda for writing down assignments
Other Materials- pen other than blue/black,
markers or colored pencils, highlighter
Class Time
• Don’t waist my time and I won’t
waist yours. 
• Give me 100% everyday! Never
settle for less than your best!
• Be prepared, or you will be
wasting my time and your
classmates time.
Start of Class
1. Get your notebook.
2. Make sure your pencil is sharp
&/or you have a pen.
3. Sit down.
4. Read the warm-up posted on the
board as you come in.
5. Complete your warm-up in the
warm-up section of your
notebook
Asking Questions
•
•
•
•
Raise you hand.
Wait to be called on.
Ask your question.
Questions ARE IMPORTANT!
– However, please DO NOT:
• say, “I have a question.”
• say your question while your hand
is in the air but have not been
called on.
Getting Out of Your Seat
• Stay in your seat while Ms. Dowd is
talking to the class as a whole.
• Reasons you would need to get out of
your seat after asking permission:
– Sharpening a pencil (should be done before
class)
– Get a tissue (It will happen…Your nose will run.)
– Throw something away (end of class)
– Turn something in (as directed by Ms. Dowd)
Simple Signals
• If you need to sharpen your pencil WHILE we are
working at our seats, (You are taking notes, you are
taking a test, your are working on classwork.) signal to
Ms. Dowd like this!
Bathroom2 fingers in air.
• Getting out of your
Seat--Please do not
Walk in front of
Ms. Dowd while she
is talking.
Throwing Things Away
• Most things can wait until the end
of class.
• Raise your hand like thisThrow something awayfist in the air
• Walk over to the garbage can without talking or
touching anyone.
• Place the garbage in the trash can.
• DO NOT PLAY BASKETBALL WITH YOUR TRASH
AND THE CAN.
Things That Would Merit
Consequences
• Talking out of turn and/or being
disruptive
• Being disrespectful to adults in the
room or to classmates
• Being off task
• Leaving the class without
permission
• Damaging property
Consequences
If during class you are failing to follow our
classroom expectations, the following
consequences will be used.
– Verbal Warning
– Verbal Warning/in class intervention
– Parent Contact
– Parent Conference
– Administrative Referral
Tardies
• You must be in your seat to be
counted on time
• Being tardy 3 days in a row or
being tardy habitually will result in
a parent contact.
Homework
• You will have homework on a daily
basis. Most of the time it will be
reading.
• Please do not try to hand in
assignments until Ms. Dowd asks
for them.
Technology Available
Class website
– Daily log of assignments, assignments to
download if lost, inspirational videos, links to
other classroom tech tools.
• Class Twitter- @msdowdsclass
• Remind 101 – receive text message reminders on
your phone.
• Quizlet – Vocabulary
– Will help when studying terms and definitions
***Nearpod, Google Apps, Voicethread, Newsela
AND MANY MORE!!!!
Technology In Class
• Using your device in class IS A PRIVILEGE.
• We will use your devices in class as long as you are
responsible with the device.
• See the “Your Electronic Device” sign on the board to
determine the appropriate way to use your device in
class.
• Your device should sit flat on your desk at all times.
Assessments
• Quizzes: 1-20 points These will be given to track your
understanding of the standards and skills that we learn and practice
in class (Daily-Weekly)
• Tests OR Culminating Projects: 25 -50 points. Will
occur at the end of each part of the unit. In my class, projects will
always be accompanied by a rubric.
• Novel Project: 1-20 points. Assigned per quarter; based on
an self-chosen novel on your Lexile level.
• Common Formative Assessments: Score entered
into PowerSchool. Given by the district and called
Benchmarks (Quarterly)
Point Recovery
• This will only be allowed for MAJOR ASSESSMENTS
(Tests and Projects worth more than 25 points).
• When you retest you can earn UP TO half of your
points back.
• Tasks for point recovery will depend on the
assessment and will be communicated to you when
the assessment is returned.
• This is in accordance with the Mills Park Grading
Policy.
Grading
•
•
•
•
•
A = 93-100%
B = 85-92%
C = 77-84%
D = 70-76%
F = 0-69%
Mastery-90 and above
Proficient- 80-89
Still Working-77-79
Needs More Instruction- 70-76
Not an Option– below 70
Only assessment will be graded on
accuracy and practice will be
evaluated for completion
Absences
• Must see what we completed on Ms.
Dowd’s Website before coming to
class.
• Any handouts will be in the “If You
Were Absent” folders in the back of
the class.
• You should work on your missed
work during Leopard Time.
Absent Work / Late Work
• You should ALWAYS turn in your
assignments on the day they are
due.
• Absent- You have 24 hours for
each day you are absent.
• Didn’t finish on time—Do it during
Leopard Time. TURN IT IN!
Turing in Assignments
During Class
• You should only turn in assignments when I ask
for them.
• If you are turning in a LATE assignment, put the
assignment in the Late Work bin. Do not put it in
your class bin!!!
• Assignments will be collected one of two ways.
– Bins near the window
– Electronic turn in.
Leopard Time
• Use your Leopard Time wisely!
– I will put assignments in your Leopard Time
Teacher’s folder if you are missing work.
– Turn them into the late work bin on your way to
lunch!
– If you have questions for me, let me sign your
agenda so your teacher will know you need to
leave the classroom.
– If you do not have homework, READ YOUR
SSR BOOK!!!!!
End of Class
• Fill out your agenda.
• Straighten up any materials at
your desk.
• Pack up your things.
• Wait until I say “Have a wonderful
Day” and then you are dismissed.
• Push in your chair.
Final Thoughts!
• I am so glad that you are here
• I am honored to be your Language
Arts teacher
• This is going to be a great year!
Homework
• Letter to Ms. Dowd- Due Wednesday.
– Use the task list at the bottom of the
letter Ms. Dowd wrote you.
– Use complete sentences. Do your best
writing. This is a first impression. 
• Beginning of the Year Checklist and
Electronic Agreement- due Thursday.