John W. Stewart Middle School 8th Grade Reading Course Syllabus

Tina Justice

School Phone: (770) 651-5458

Course Name: 8th Grade Reading

Required Text/Materials: Students will be using class sets of novels throughout the school year. Each day, students must have writing utensils, paper, a spiral notebook along with theirbinder, agenda, and an independent reading book that should be brought to class daily.

Course Description: This course will help develop student mastery in:

Analyzing sensory details and figurative language

Analyzing the author’s use of dialogue

Comparing and contrasting

Comprehension and inferencing skills

Summarizing text

Differentiating between details and key ideas

Understanding Informational Text

Course Objectives: In this course, students will engage in reading activities that will improve their reading skills, including comprehension, vocabulary, and detailed analysis of conflicts, settings, character motives, purpose and reasoning. Informational text analysis is a skill that will help the students through their life. Students will be engaged in class novels and also expected to complete independent reading assignments and projects on time. Students are required to read AR books from the media center. In order to do this, students must read every night for at least thirty minutes without interruption. Consistent and continuous reading throughout the year will prepare students for the Georgia Milestoneand aid in their overall academic success.

Weighting Scale:

Assessment 30%

Homework 10%

Reports/Projects 15%

Classwork 25%

Participation 10%

Common District Assessment 10%

Grading Scale:

A = 100 - 90

B = 89 - 80

C = 79 - 71

D = 70

F = 69 and below

Role of the Parent: As your child’s teacher, I ask that you remain an active and involved part of your child’s education. Please contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have about your child’s academic and social progress. Please view your child’s agenda daily, as I will use it to communicate with you. I will also contact you via phone calls, emails, progress reports and notes. Together, we can make this a great year for you and your child!

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I have read the course syllabus, and have discussed the expectations and course requirements that you have set forth for your class.

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