Classroom Information
8th Grade Language Arts Syllabus
2011-2012
Kristin.fanning@walton.k12.ga.us
Dear Students and Parents,
I want to welcome you to Pod 802, Language Arts. We will have fun learning, and you will be challenged to think and perform at higher academic levels. I expect for you to put forth your best effort and not accept failure.
Course Description
The purpose of this required course is to provide eighth graders with integrated educational experiences in the Georgia Professional Standards Language Arts strands of reading, writing, reading across the curriculum, conventions, and listening, speaking, and viewing.
- In Reading a text closely, the student works carefully to discern the author’s perspective and the particular facts and details that support it. The student reads thoughtfully and purposefully, constantly checking for understanding of the author’s intent and meaning so that the interpretation will be sound.
- In Writing the student writes clear, coherent text that develops a central idea or tells a story. The writing shows consideration of the audience and purpose. The student progresses through the stages of the writing process (e.g., prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing successive versions).
- Reading across the curriculum develops students’ academic and personal interests in different subjects, as well as their understanding and expertise across subject areas. As students read, they develop both content and contextual vocabulary. They also build good habits for reading, researching, and learning. The Reading Across the Curriculum standards focus on the academic and personal skills students acquire as they read in all areas of learning.
- Conventions are essential for reading, writing, and speaking. Instruction in language conventions will, therefore, occur within the context of reading, writing, and speaking, rather than in isolation. The student writes to make connections with the larger world. A student’s ideas are more likely to be taken seriously when the words are spelled accurately and the sentences are grammatically correct.
- The student demonstrates an understanding of listening, speaking, and viewing skills for a variety of purposes. The student listens critically and responds appropriately to oral communication in a variety of genres and media. The student speaks in a manner that guides the listener to understand important ideas.
The Middle Grades Grade Writing test and the CRCT serve as measures of what they have accomplished.
Notebooks
Pod 802 expects for each student to have a 3-ring binder for each individual class; however, students may keep science, language arts and social studies information in one binder and keep math in a separate binder (students must have a separate binder for math). I will conduct notebook checks periodically.
Homework
Students will have an assignment most nights. Assignments may not always be written, though. It is the student’s responsibility to check the agenda wall and the teacher’s website for posted assignments at www.schoolrack.com/kfanning
Course Assessment: Students will be graded through the following assessment techniques:
- Daily classroom participation.
- Weekly vocabulary assignments and tests
- Weekly reading activities
- Weekly writing assignments
- Objective quizzes and unit tests / essay tests
- Unannounced quizzes and checks
- Oral presentations (group and individual)
- Group projects and assignments
- Portfolio
- Independent Reading tests (2 novels read independently one per semester) One book must be read from a list of 3 possible choices. The student will be assessed on the book they have selected. Students are responsible for obtaining the book (parents may help the child with this. Assessment date will be given to students at a later date.
Spring Book Selections 2011 (TBA)
Grading
40% Tests, Projects
30% Quizzes
20% Daily class assignments/Notebook check/Required Reading
10% Participation
Make-Up Work
It is the student’s responsibility to get make-up work when he/she is absent. Students have 3 days upon his/her return to make-up assignments. Communication should be made with the teacher regarding special circumstances.
Extra Help
Extra help is available. Tutoring will be available to give students the extra help they need outside of the regular classroom. This will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:45 to 3:15. Students must sign up for this workshop at least a day in advance.
Planner
As an 8th grader, a planner should be a necessity. All students will receive an agenda. This will keep students organized and on top of their academic assignments.
Contact
I may be reached via email at Kristin.fanning@walton.k12.ga.us.
