English 8 Syllabus
Ms. Newman – Room 206
(619) 583-3233 x4206
lnewman@sandi.net
http://www.lewis.edu/lnewman/index.htm
Welcome to 8 th grade English! Fasten your seatbelts and prepare to expand your minds. In this class, everyone's opinion is valued, there are no wrong answers, discussion is vital, and participation is expected everyday. We will be guiding our inquiring minds down the road to enlightenment and every student will be coming along for the ride. NO ONE is left behind! In order to make this a classroom environment that we are all proud to be a part of, I expect everyone to abide by the classroom expectations and procedures at all times.
Course Description: The class content is based on the Eighth Grade English-Language Arts Content Standards for California. The goal of this class is to create lifelong readers and writers while increasing your analytical and global thinking skills. We will focus on reading and writing narrative literature, persuasion, expository non-fiction, and response to literature.
Grading Policy: I calculate all scholarship grades using Zangle, the district's web-based grading program. You may access these grades and monitor your student's progress at any time on-line by logging into ParentConnect.
Scholarship grades will be calculated as follows:
Projects/Essays = 35%
Class work = 35%
Homework = 15%
Participation = 10%
Vocabulary = 5%
Citizenship: Citizenship grades will be based upon courtesy, responsibility, attentiveness, cooperation, and promptness to class. Interfering with other students' right to learn will not be tolerated in the classroom.
Homework: You should allow at least 30 minutes per night for English homework. Homework assignments will include weekly reading responses, vocabulary practice, and unfinished class work. Weekly homework assignments will always be posted in the classroom and on my website.
Required Materials: Students should have the following materials with them EVERYDAY: one single-subject spiral notebook (used for English only), a 3-ring binder with blank paper and a section for English, 2 pencils, 2 blue or black pens, 1 colored pen, and a highlighter. All returned papers and class work needs to be kept for the duration of the school year.
Absences: Upon return from an excused absence, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed. First , check your period's drawer on the back counter. If you need further clarification, you may ask the teacher or another student. You have the same amount of days you were absent to make up any missed work. Work missed from truancies and unexcused absences will be counted as late. Assignments that have set due dates (such as reading responses and projects) are due the day you return from your absence. No excuses!
Late Work: Assignments turned in one day late will automatically receive no more that half credit. NO late work will be accepted after that time. This is to prepare students for the responsibility of high school, college, and beyond.
Tardy Policy: You are expected to be in your seat and ready to learn when the bell rings. Your first tardy will be considered a warning. Any subsequent tardies will result in a lowered citizenship by one letter grade for each infraction. Any class work missed as the result of a tardy will not be able to be made up unless it is cleared with me in advance.
Passes: Each student will receive two emergency bathroom passes per semester. You are to use these passes at your discretion. If, at the end of the semester, you have not used your passes, you may turn them in for extra credit. Students are expected to carry their planner with them everyday. The Lewis planner has a page for hall passes. No planner, no pass.
Classroom Expectations:
Classroom Procedures:
How do I enter the classroom?
Please enter the classroom quickly and sit in your assigned seat. You should immediately take out your materials and begin on your warm-up…don't wait for the bell to ring!
How do I behave during group activities?
You are expected to be an active and productive contributor to your group. You are expected to be polite and respectful of other group members' opinions. You should use a quiet, indoor voice and have only academic conversations.
How do I behave during independent work?
This is NOT a time for conversations. You are expected to concentrate on your own work. If you finish early, revise and reedit your work.
How am I dismissed from class?
I will notify you when it is time to pack up your things for dismissal. Please pack up all your belongings and gather any trash that is around your work space. The teacher dismissed the class, NOT THE BELL!