8Th Grade Reading SIOP

8th Grade Literacy

2012-2013 Course Description

Mrs. Swartzentruber, Wy’east Middle School

354-1548ext. # 4823

Course description: The focus of this course is the development of literacy skills directed at meeting The Common Core national reading standards for 8th graders. The content of the class is driven by the Oregon Department of Education’s standards for middle school students and the Common Core standards to which most states are transitioning. Class meets for 60 minutes daily and students will be expected to read outside of class each week and study assigned vocabulary. Students will be exposed to a variety of reading materials including historical fiction, autobiography, journal and newsmedia, biography, informational text, and poetry. As much as possible, reading time will be provided in class each week for student choice reading (SSR). Literary elements and devices will be taught in the context of reading, listening, and engaging in dialogue in a literature-rich environment.

Students in this class will take the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI), which is a computerized, adaptive assessment of reading strength. The SRI will give students Lexile scores, which are then used to help guide them to reading in their Lexile range. The SRI is a brief test that can be administered several times a year to measure growth and to inform the teacher about one aspect of students’ progress. Students will also take a quarterly district assessment.

Materials: We will be using a variety of materials throughout the year, including novels, the 8th grade Glencoe literature anthology, news articles, and other informational text. Major units of study will be coordinated with 8th grade social studies as much as possible to enhance and reinforce learning.

As a parent, if you have any concerns about reading materials for this class, I am very open to discussing them with you and I will always strive to respect your concerns for your child. *****Some student choice books from my library may require a parent permission slip due to mature subject/language.

Grading Procedure: Students will be graded on a Total Points basis based on a proficiency grading model for the following assignments:

In class assignments and presentations

Vocabulary Tests

Unit Tests

Student Reading Journal (200 points per quarter reflecting personal reading)

Reading at home and studying vocabulary is your homework! I may not give you worksheets for homework, but please take reading at home and studying vocabulary seriously. Those two tasks will influence your grade profoundly. You should be spending at least 2 hours per week reading at home.

Grading Scale: I follow a traditional grading scale per Wy’east Middle School Policy. One distinction in this literacy class is the reading requirement. Letter grades are contingent on meeting a minimum reading requirement AND point totals in the class. The following minimum book requirements help to determine a letter grade in the class.

To earn:

An “A” grade = a minimum of 4 books each quarter

A “B” grade = a minimum of 3 books each quarter

A “C” grade = a minimum of 2 books each quarter

A “D” grade = a minimum of 1 book each quarter.

Progress reports: Progress reports will be sent home with students at approximately the 5th week and 9th weeks of each quarter per school policy.

Student Expectations:

Academic: Students are expected to be on-task during classroom activities, taking an active role in their learning. They are expected to work cooperatively with their peers and teachers. A student who does not use class time well may be expected to make up the wasted time during free time at lunch. Treating books and other classroom/school property with respect is another expectation. If you happen to lose a book, please let me know and plan on paying for the cost of replacing it.

Late Work/Absences: Students should turn in late work within one week of returning to school unless other arrangements are made. Other late work will be accepted, but will be marked down up to 50% for work turned in over a week late.

Tests: In the event that a student performs poorly on a vocabulary test, the student will have a chance to bring the test grade up by re-taking a similar test on his or her own time or during a study hall. There will be unit tests that cannot be re-taken because the book/answers have been discussed openly in class. The student must take the initiative to arrange for re-taking the test. The goal is learning the material. Students should come in outside of class time to study and receive help before retaking a test.

I look forward to getting to know you and working toward becoming life-long readers in the 2012-2013 school year! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Swartzentruber (Mrs. ‘S’)

I have read the syllabus and I have an understanding of the course and what is needed to experience success in this class. I understand that reading at home and studying vocabulary weekly is an important requirement of this class.

Parent signature: ______

Student signature: ______