School year 2015- 2016

Ms. Otterson

8th Language Arts

Welcome to Ms. Otterson’s 8th grade Language Arts class. This class will develop students’ reading, writing, grammar usage and public speaking skills. Students will write argumentative, response to literature, expository and narrative essays as well as participate in a mock trial. Each student has a personal responsibility to turn in their best work that will reflect their work ethic and time management. Students are expected to come to class prepared and ready for a challenge in order to improve their own skills. All students need to be respectful to fellow classmates and the instructor at all times.

Required Materials:

(These materials are asked to be brought to class each day)

  • Workbook (provided)
  • Planner
  • Binder paper
  • A devoted section in a binder or separate binder for ELA
  • Folder or section in a binder to hold handouts
  • Pencils (2 minimum)
  • Blue or black pens (2 minimum)
  • Your brain

Class Expectations:

  • Come to class prepared with the required materials
  • Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated
  • No food, drink or chewing gum allowed in class
  • No cell phone use during class (only with the instructor’s approval)
  • Respect yourself, fellow classmates and staff members
  • No throwing or tossing of any objects including paper
  • Be in your seat when the bell rings
  • Work hard and enjoy the struggle

Grading:

Grading scale: 90-100= A, 80-89= B, 70-79= C, 60-69= D, 0-59= F

Progress reports will be handed out to the students every two weeks and parents are asked to sign and return within two days of receiving the report. Students will receive points for returning their signed progress report.

Make-up work:

Students are responsible to seek the missing assignments and complete the assignment within 2 days from the day absent. If they fail to do so, they will not be allowed to complete the missing assignment. Students who are absent on a due date of an assignment will be expected to turn in the assignment the day they return to class. All make-up work due to an absence must have ‘Absent’ written on the top of the paper. If any student has any questions about missing assignments, they are expected to contact the instructor and make an appointment to discuss the options.

Late Assignments:

Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date, unless previous arrangements have been made with the instructor. If a student is sick on the date an assignment is due, it is the responsibility of the student to turn in that assignment the next school day. Assignments that are completed, but left at home are late. A late assignment will not be accepted if it is more than one week late unless previous arrangements have been made. Work that is late can be made up for 50% credit. If there is any reason for late work, the students must talk with the instructor and provide a parent note or conversation to confirm the reason.

Workbook:

Students will be provided with a small composition book to collect all their bell works. At the start of class, students will record any due dates in their planner and start completing the bell works in their workbook. This workbook will be collected every Friday to receive a grade. The purpose of bell works is to give students practice with grammar and other topics as well as teaching them responsibility for keeping their workbook complete and intact.

Office Hours:

Students requiring extra help or more time on assignments need to contact the instructor with their concerns. Once that is completed, students may come by the classroom 3:30-4:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays to receive help on assignments from the instructor. If students want to use this time, then they need to arrive no later than 4:15. Please expect some cancellations to these hours.

Legible Work:

Students are expected to turn in their work in their best handwriting and using their full effort. If the assignment is unreadable, it will be returned to the student and asked to resubmit the assignment the next day. If the students fails to do so, the assignment will result in a late grade. Assignments should be free of doodles, rips, stains and wrinkles.

Proper Heading for Papers:

The heading for all papers turned in to the instructor will need to contain a MLA heading. This heading is the same heading high schools uses. All papers that will be typed must follow the same heading. Typed papers must be in Times New Roman and size 12 point font. Papers turned in without the proper heading will result in missing points. Papers with no name will be thrown away and the student will receive no credit. The paper may be made up to receive a late grade. Please use the following format on all papers turned in to the instructor:

Your name

Instructor’s name

Subject (ELA) and period

Date

Title of Assignment

Classroom Procedures/Policies:

Tardiness: Students should be in class and in their seat with their materials out when the bell rings. If students are not in their seat with their materials when the bell rings, they will be marked tardy.

Restroom: Bathroom breaks should be used during the appropriate time. Students should use the bathroom during breaks, passing time and lunch. Students will not be allowed to use the restroom the first and last 15 minutes of class unless an emergency occurs. If a student has any special circumstances, then I ask the parents to contact the instructor.

Wandering: Students should be in their seats during class and wandering in class will not be tolerated. Students may signal to get up to throw away trash and when the teacher has acknowledged, they may get out of their seat. Any loitering will result in consequences.

Clean-up: Students will leave their desk and floor area clean for other students use.

Language: No offensive language will be allowed in this classroom and all language used will be respectful.

Cheating/Plagiarism: Cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated in the class and result in a zero.

Proper use of materials and school property: All students are expected to use the materials properly and respectfully. If a student destroys any material that was provided to them, they will be asked to replace or reimburse the material damaged. Students are expected to respect their fellow classmates’ property as well as school property. If any student damages school property or a fellow student’s property, sever consequences will follow.

Discipline policy: Any student that does not follow instructions and respect the learning environment in the class will result in formal warning and possibly a referral. Students who are hindering the learning environment will be asked to change their behavior. If the behavior does not stop, then they will be removed from their area to fill out a re-entry form, which will be their second warning resulting in a call home. If the problem does not resolve itself once the student has returned to their seat, then the student will receive a referral. This discipline policy is subject to change depending on the behavior of the students and the effectiveness of the discipline.

If any student or parent have questions or concerns please contact me through my email, , or by leaving a message with contact information with the school (665-8079 ext.711)

Welcome to 8th grade Language Arts! I look forward to a great year.

Ms. Otterson

Please sign and return this portion.

I have read the information and agree to the class policies.

Student Signature:

Period:

______

Parent Signature:

Date:

______

Helpful information or concerns:

Best form of contact (please include email or phone number):