Welcome to 8th Grade Literature and Language Arts

Classroom Expectations:
1. Respect everyone in class and their belongings.
2. Be in your seat, quiet and ready to work before the bell rings.
3. Raise your hand before talking so that everyone has a chance to be heard.
4. Participate. Share your thoughts and ideas.
5. Be prepared for class. Bring all necessary materials daily.
6. Turn in quality work on time.

Classroom Materials:
1. Books: Class novel and independent novel
2. Binder with dividers
3. Paper
4. Pens (Black/Blue & Red) and Highlighter
5. Coloring Supplies: Markers or Colored Pencils

Literature Curriculum Language Arts Curriculum

Novel Units: Writing Units:
• The Shadow Club • The Writing Process
• That was Then, This is Now • 6+1 Traits of Writing
• Where the Red Fern Grows • Narrative Writing
• The Pigman • Expository Writing
• Speak • Persuasive Writing
• Poetry & Literary Devices
Text Book Units: • Research Paper Unit
• “Flowers for Algernon”
• “Diary of Anne Frank” Grammar Units:
• Parts of Speech
Literature Units: • Punctuation
• Reading Strategies and Story Elements • Capitalization
• Short Stories • Sentence Structure
• Poetry
• Drama Spelling Units:
• Fiction and Nonfiction • Affixes
• Literature Circles • Spelling Rules & Study Strategies
• Extended Response & ISAT Prep Unit
Assignments:
• You can expect to have homework assigned every day.
• Use your class time wisely and don’t wait until the last minute to complete assignments, papers or projects.
• Your effort is reflected in your grade and your best quality work is expected all the time.
Make-Up Work:
• Work that was assigned before you were absent should be finished and turned in upon your return.
• Collect and complete missing assignments and assessments from the folder on the board.
• You have one day for every day that you were absent to complete your missing work.
• If you know in advance that you will have an extended absence, please arrange to collect the work.
Class Wiki & Resources:
• For extra copies, assignments, and other helpful resources visit the class wiki:
http://wikizaki.wikispaces.com/
 Classroom Procedures
When you enter class…
• Be in your seat, quiet and ready to work.
• Have your homework on your desk and wait quietly.

When returning from an absence…

• Quietly turn your absent work into the bin.
• Make sure to write ABSENT on the top of all work, so that I do not count it as late.
• Check the folder on the board for any work you need to make up.
• Please wait until you have work time at the end of class, after class or during study hall to ask me any
questions that you may have and I will be happy to help you.

When you need pencil, paper, or other materials…

• When borrowing supplies or other materials, please be courteous, take only what
you need and remember to return the supplies when you are finished.

Leaving the classroom…

• Use the bathrooms during your passing period.
• Do not interrupt me while I am teaching unless it is an emergency.
• If at anytime you need to leave the classroom, ask for permission and get your
assignment notebook signed in pen.
• If it is an emergency, just go!

Dismissal from class…

• Return all materials to their proper places.
• Make sure that everything is off the floor.
• Wait until you hear me say the magic words: “Have a nice day!”

Grading Scale & Weighted Assignment Categories

Grading Scale: A: 90-100 B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69 F: 59 & Below

Practice~5%
Practice assignments are just that - practice. Typically, these assignments are a reinforcement of presented
material. They may also be the first opportunity that students have to demonstrate a basic understanding of
content. Since mastery is not expected, assignments are usually graded for completion.

Application~35%
Application assignments require basic knowledge of content material in order to
complete. These assignments are usually more in depth or require students to apply
what they have learned. In Literature, these are usually assignments given for
students to apply information from the novel to various story elements, make
inferences, and take the learning a step further. In Language Arts, these are usually
assignments or mini quizzes given for students to apply grammar rules or writing
concepts.

Assessment~60%
Assessments are a reflection of a student’s mastery or understanding of material. Students must demonstrate
comprehension and are usually required to apply key concepts.