8th Grade English-Language Arts
Western Sierra Collegiate Academy
2014-2015
Teacher Contact Information
Richard Dahl Room 138Ron Anaya Room 232
Email: Email:
Phone: (916) 778-4544Phone: (916) 778-4544
Welcome to 8th grade English-Language Arts class! I hope you are looking forward to an exciting and challenging year. This is a literature-based course where students will develop their abilities to critically analyze, discuss, and respond to a variety of texts. This class is fully aligned with the Common Core Standards. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions regarding the information outlined in this syllabus.
Grading Policy
This class follows the grading policy adopted by the Rocklin Academy Board of Directors. Progress reports will be available at the end of Quarters 1 & 3. Students can receive a letter grade of A, B, C, or I (Incomplete). This grade is comprised of Summative Assessments (worth 90% of the grade) and Formative Assessments (worth 10% of the grade). Assessments include tests, essays, projects, and presentations. Formative work includes homework and many of our in-class activities.
Booklist-Please obtain the following books from The Almost Perfect Bookstore in Roseville. Arrangements will be made prior to each unit to ensure that enough are in stock. WSCA students receive 25% off each title. We strongly recommend that students have their own copies to annotate. If for whatever reason you are unable to provide your child with a book, email me and one will be provided.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck ISBN 978-0749717100
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros ISBN 0679734772
101 Great American Poems ISBN 0486401588
Animal Farm by George Orwell ISBN 0452284244
The Giver by Lois Lowry ISBN 0440219078 (if time allows, do not purchase yet)
Materials Needed
- Colored pencils and markers
- Dry erase markers and eraser (an old sock or cloth works fine)
- Pens
- Pencils
- Hand-held pencil sharpener
- Highlighters
- One 1.5 inch binder
- Dividers
- College ruled lined paper
- College ruled, spiral bound notebook (70 pages is ideal)
- USB drive (8GB)
Behavioral Expectations
All students are expected to conform to the rules outlined in the Student Handbook. In my class I expect you to follow two simple rules:
- WORK HARD
- BE NICE
Students not following the rules will be:
1. Given a verbal warning
2. Sent to the office and a phone call home
3. Referral
Course Overview: Units of Study and Summative Assessments *
Quarter 1 (August 19-October 17)
Short Stories (Exam)
Of Mice and Men (Essay)
Reader’s Workshop
Quarter 2 (October 20-December 19)
Comic elements and literary devices (Essay, Satirical News Article, Exam)
The House on Mango Street (Oral History)
Reader’s Workshop
Quarter 3 (January 5-March 20)
101 Great American Poems (Exam)
Animal Farm (Essay, Exam, Propaganda Posters)
Reader’s Workshop
Quarter 4 (March 23-June 4)
The Giver (Exam)
Utopia Project
SBAC Review-1 week
Sbac Testing-1-2 weeks
8th Grade Speech
Reader’s Workshop
*Subject to change
Academic Integrity
WESTERN SIERRA expects all students to abide by ethical academic standards. Academic dishonesty—including plagiarism, cheating, or copying the work of another student will not be tolerated.
Please sign and return the following page demonstrating that you have read and understood the syllabus
Syllabus Confirmation
You will be receiving an email soon asking you to confirm that you have read and understand the syllabus.