8th English
Rebecca Fischer
Texts:
Everyday Spelling 8
Adventures for Readers: Book Two—Athena Edition
Elements of Writing—Second Course
The Outsiders
Class Summary: This is a comprehensive course aimed at developing experience and skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Class instruction will include but not be limited to the reading and writing of narrative (tells a story), expository (explains something) and technical (specialized); vocabulary development; and introduction, review and mastery of correct English grammar usage.
In this class, students will read and study all genre of literature. Students will also write in journals and compose papers using persuasive, expository, narrative, creative and informative styles. Proofreading and editing skills will be developed and assessed using the six trait analytical model. In addition, the students will complete spelling lessons weekly. The question answer relationship model will be used to create and answer various questions. Grammar and parts of speech will be reviewed and introduced. Accelerated Reader, Thinking Maps, D.O.G.S., QAR, 6-Trait Writing and the Four Blocks of Reading will be reviewed and utilized.
**All activities and their planned times are subject to change due to students being gone, time constraints, etc.
Classroom Expectations/Rules:
ü Be on time to class; don’t come late from another class without a pass from that teacher.
ü Bring appropriate materials to class every day. This includes an AR book, pen/pencil, notebook/folder, planner, and whatever book we are currently using.
ü You will not be allowed to go to your locker, the restroom, etc. without your daily planner being signed.
ü AR book tests will be taken in the classroom as much as possible.
ü Make sure all trash goes in the trashcan, not on the floor or in the desks!!!
ü Don’t mess with or touch my computer without permission---EVER!
ü The grading scale is the Linn High School scale and is posted on the front bulletin board.
ü Late assignments will not be accepted unless you are sick or have made prior arrangements with the teacher. LATE WORK WILL COUNT AS ZERO POINTS!!!
ü Do not write or mark on any of the classroom bulletin boards.
ü New rules may be made as needed.
ü Periodic planner checks will be made. If you have your planner filled out with all of your daily assignments, you will receive 5 points. If your planner is not filled out, you will receive 0 points. Planner checks will occur without prior warning!!
Grading Policies: Students will be kept aware of their grade in this class. Although I do not plan to give extra credit for those who are failing, I will offer extra credit to the entire class on occasion. I suggest you take advantage of any extra credit opportunities as they arise. For those who do not perform well on major assignments, we will discuss the matter on an individual basis.
Grades are based on all assignments given including: journals, spelling, writing, grammar, tests and other activities. You will be required to complete at least five Accelerated Reader points per 9 weeks. This will count as a 100-point assignment!!! Reading time will be designated during class so you should ALWAYS have an AR book with you!
Late Work: Work is to be completed and turned in when due—when asked for at the beginning of the class period. The only exception to this will be in the case of an EXCUSED absence based on illness or other circumstance. If you are going to be gone for any reason, you must get the assignment before you leave. It is YOUR responsibility to get the assignment ahead of time. NO EXCUSES!
8th Grade:
First Nine Weeks:
§ Spelling Lessons including tests and sentences
§ Accelerated Reader (AR)
§ Journals
§ Review the 8 parts of speech: noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb, verb, interjection, conjunction, preposition
§ Discuss Transitions
§ Elements: discuss/practice prewriting techniques
§ Write Interview a Partner paper—double spaced, typed, one to one and one-half pages in length
§ Write descriptive paragraphs
§ Begin the novel, The Outsiders. Read, study vocabulary, quiz, and final test over the novel.
§ Watch the film version of The Outsiders.
§ Write a one page comparison/contrast paper of the movie and the novel.
Second Nine Weeks:
§ Spelling Lessons including tests and sentences
§ Accelerated Reader (AR)
§ Journals
§ Review/Discuss Short Story Elements—Handout
§ Short Story Elements Quiz
§ Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, and test over the short story—“The No-Talent Kid.”
§ Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, and test over the short story—“Raymond’s Run.”
§ Discuss characterization. Write a one page typed paper over the character of Squeaky from the story, “Raymond’s Run.”
§ Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, and test over the short story—“The Sea Devil.”
§ Literary Elements Group Presentation over “The Sea Devil.”
§ Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, and test over the short story—“A Cap for Steve.”
§ Discuss topics for and write a comparison/contrast paper. One to one and one-half pages typed, double spaced.
§ Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, and test over the short story—“A Man Without A Country”
Third Nine Weeks:
§ Spelling Lessons including tests and sentences
§ Accelerated Reader (AR)
§ Test for Spelling Bee
§ Journals
§ Kansas State Reading Assessment
§ Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, and test over the short story—“Too Soon A Woman.”
§ Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, and test over the short story—“Thank You, Ma’am.”
§ Discuss characterization. Write a one page character analysis paper over a character from the story, “Thank You, Ma’am.”
§ Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, and test over the story—“Flowers for Algernon.”
§ Watch the film version of “Flowers for Algernon”—Charly. Make a T chart and discuss the differences and similarities of the story and the film. Write a comparison/contrast paper.
Fourth Nine Weeks:
§ Spelling Lessons including tests and sentences
§ Accelerated Reader (AR)
§ Journals
§ Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, and test over the story--“The Tell Tale Heart.”
§ Watch the film version of “The Tell Tale Heart.” (1971)
§ Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, and test over the play—“The Diary of Anne Frank.”
§ Watch the film version of the play “The Diary of Anne Frank.”(1959)
§ Literature Book: read the novel in our textbook—Beardance
§ Elements Book: revisit the eight parts of speech—worksheets and quizzes