ENGLISH 8 – Ms. Johnsen
2014-2015
Welcome!
CONTACT INFO:
School phone: 718-432-3737
Email: molly_johnsen@horacemann.org
I will do my best to check my email once each evening, sometime before 9pm.
Remember that you need to check your own email for my response!
Office: Rose 107
Please feel free to drop by and see me anytime during the day, or schedule an appointment if
you like. I’m also available in the MD Reading Room after school on Mondays and Wednesdays
(between 3:15 and 5:45).
A LITTLE INSPIRATION:
“The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a
way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it
is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead.
And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours” ― Alan Bennett, The History Boys
"Make no mistake about it... a true piece of writing is a dangerous thing. It can change your
life." ― Tobias Wolff
“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.”
– Scout Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird
REQUIRED TEXTS:
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
The Tempest, William Shakespeare
One more mystery book, Mystery Author
COURSE OVERVIEW:
As we read the three required novels, we’ll also be working with grammar, expository and
creative writing, and vocabulary. We’ll do lots of work with parts of speech. For now, try listing
as many of the parts of speech as you can:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
And a little vocab! Define supercilious and ameliorate, including parts of speech:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Electives begin after spring break.
EXPECTATIONS:
The main thing I ask of you is to keep an open mind. English class is so exciting because there’s
very rarely a wrong answer. Instead of searching out a predetermined result, the real work
happens in the exploring and questioning. Your own writing will develop this same richness;
layers of revision will lead to more sophisticated thinking and expression.
Remember, the most important thing is that everyone feels like an essential part of the
experience. We are a community. This means respect, and respect means maturity. You are the
ones who determine what our class environment will be.
Always, always ask questions if you don’t understand something! I am happy to clarify anything
during class, but I won’t know you’re confused unless you say so. Remember, if you leave class
with an assignment in hand and you didn’t ask any questions about it, I’ll assume you feel ready
to complete the work.
Please check your school email regularly, as well as the class Haiku page.
STANDARD FORMAT FOR TYPED WORK:
-- Size 12 font
-- Double spaced
-- Standard margins
-- Name at the top of the page
-- Printed and stapled before class, if necessary
-- When submitting electronically: .docx or GoogleDoc only, please.
GRADING:
Classwork, homework and class participation are all major components of the course. Please,
please come to class prepared each day. This means more than just having the proper
materials, although that’s a big part of it. What else is essential in order for you and your peers
to do your best learning? Jot down a few ideas:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
In addition to preparedness and participation, your grade will be based on: vocab and grammar
assessments, in-class assignments, listening/discussion/group work, note taking and
annotations, and long-term projects/writing assignments.
HOMEWORK assignments will be graded on effort as well as completion. For nightly homework,
I use a , -, or 0 system. Graded work that is not handed in on time will be marked down for
each school day it is late (unless, of course, you come to see me ahead of time and we decide
together that you can hand something in at a later date). If you know you are going to be
absent, you must come to see me beforehand to get the required work. Depending on the
nature of the absence, we will agree upon a due date for any assignments you’ll miss. Of course,
if something comes up and you can’t complete an assignment, come and see me one-on-one
and we can work it out.
THE BREAKDOWN:
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Tests and projects/papers: 40-60pts each, 2-3 per trimester
Quizzes: 10-30pts each, 3-5 per trimester
Class participation/preparation counts like a test
Overall homework grade counts like a quiz
At the end of the trimester, I simply tally your points and divide. If I have to decide whether to
round up or down, it comes down to your overall effort/motivation.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
 Charged iPad, loaded with: Haiku Learning, GoogleDocs, Google Drive, Notability, a
homework planning app (such as My Homework), Adobe Reader, Safari or Chrome.
o If you prefer to take notes by hand and/or use a paper planner, please see me to
chat about how to set up your supplies.
 Everyone needs to have a sturdy 2-pocket folder for handouts.
 A bunch of black and/or blue pens, one red/purple/green pen for editing, and a few
different highlighters.
 Optional: mini stapler, three-hole punch, pocket pack of tissues, water bottle.
Please be sure to bring the required literature reading and/or grammar materials to class each
day. Later this year, you may also be asked to choose an independent reading book.
I really look forward to getting to know you this year!