8th Grade ELA

                                                 Welcome to 8 th Grade English Language Arts Sections 801-804

Mr. Dinardo – jdinardo@drihscs.org / Mr. Garcia – bgarcia@drihscs.org / Mr. Lampkin –jlampkin@drihscs.org

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• To expose students to a diverse selection of fiction, nonfiction and informational texts as prescribed by the Common Core Learning Standards

• To develop and enhance critical thinking skills

• To enhance grammar, writing, research, and presentation skills

• To create a safe, positive environment conducive to sharing experiences, ideas, and writings

• To work collaboratively and effectively on group assignments

• To grow and mature as thinkers, learners, and citizens of the world

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EXPECTATIONS

You are required to write all notes as they appear on the board and as they are given verbally (when necessary). It is important that all notes are recorded in the appropriate English notebook. Notebooks are to be neat and organized in chronological order (from the first day of class to the present). All notes must be legible, such that they can be reviewed at any time.

Additionally, you are required to be prepared and to focus on the task at hand, and you are expected to complete all assignments with care and pride. You are expected to have all necessary class materials and contribute to class discussions daily. Participation in discussions allows you to think critically about your work and engage your classmates, which broadens everyone’s perspective.

 

We give our best daily, and we expect the same from you. If you fail to follow classroom expectations, the following consequences may be issued based on teacher’s discretion:

• Warning (verbal/visual)

• Phone call home

• Referral to Dean and consequences

  *Just as we would call home if you are consistently NOT doing your job, we love to call home even more to report you ARE going above and beyond our expectations.

  REQUIRED MATERIALS

  You must bring all of the following items to class each day:

• Daily Planner (This is provided by the school. You will need to replace it if it is lost.)

• Spiral Notebook or 2” Binder with Loose Leaf

• 1 Two-pocket folder

• 2 black or blue pens (Pens will not be supplied by teachers.)

• Pencils

 

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COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Completion of at least one project-based assignment per term:

Each project will have a deadline date. Each day the project is late, 10 points will be deducted. Projects are an excellent opportunity to creatively display what you learned in class. Take advantage of this chance!

 

Independent Reading:
Every week, there will be MANDATORY time where each student is expected to independently read during a period of class time. While there are many reasons for this, one main reason draws from the rationale that our brain function increases and our brains can actually GROW through reading. You will be expected to read for the complete duration of the reading time and complete independent reading logs and journals. This will be a significant portion of your final grade. However, the great news is, this is totally in your control !

 

Completion of homework:

Please expect that there will be homework on a regular basis. Homework will be posted online as well as on the board each day. Homework is due at the beginning of the class period. Late homework will receive partial credit , unless you are absent. If you are absent, any homework previously assigned will be due the day you return. Sloppy homework (e.g., illegible handwriting, crumpled pages) will be returned to be redone.

 

Exams:

Exams will be given on a regular basis. There will be approximately four (4) exams each term. If you missed an exam, you should be prepared to take the exam on the day you return to school. If you do not take an exam within a given time frame, there will be a point reduction in your final grade.

 

Proper heading:

The following heading must be written on the top of every paper you submit:

 

Your Full Name                    HSCS Graduating Year

Subject/Section                     Date

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GRADING POLICY

Your grade for this class will be calculated as follows:

• ●  Tests: 30%

• ●  Classwork: 20%

• ●  Independent Reading Logs: 10%

• ●  Quizzes: 15%

• ●  Projects: 15%

• ●  Do Now/Exit Tickets: 5%

• ●  Homework: 5%

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You also will receive a work ethic grade , which assesses students’ participation, effort, and preparedness. A strong work ethic will bring up your overall grade!

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CLASSROOM ROUTINES AND PROCEDURES

Learning and following classroom procedures allows us to optimize our class time. The following is a list of our classroom routines and procedures:

General Rules

• -  Sit S.T.A.T. (S t raight, Tr ack the speaker, As k and answer questions, Tu ne in)

• -  Pay attention in class. Respect both the teacher and your classmates when they speak. Give respect to

  get respect.

• -  Raise a hand to talk in class. Never speak of anyone and wait your turn. Never shout out! As the school

  year moves on, we will use hand raising less (if you can handle it).

• -  The date is a lways on the board, and so is the homework. Look before you ask.

• -  Correcting your peers when they answer is not your job. That is our job as teachers. We are here to learn,

  not to be perfect.

• -  Seats and groups are often changed. You don’t have to like your classmates but you have to be

  professional and respectful every day. It is expected you will get your job done!

• -  Successful people don’t complain! Set yourself up for success by embracing challenges instead of

  whining about them.

  Noise Level

  Teachers will let you know the appropriate noise level before any task, and it will be posted on the whiteboard. The four possible noise levels are as follows:
  0 = Silence
  1 = Whispering to a Neighbor

  2 = Conversation Within Your Group 3 = Addressing the Entire Class

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• Bathroom breaks

• You may not use the bathroom during the first 10 minutes and last 10 minutes of a class period. During the appropriate time, you may use the bathroom using the following procedure:

• Hold up your index finger

• After being acknowledged by a teacher, sign out in the Student Logbook

• Take the classroom pass before leaving the classroom

• Upon returning, put the classroom pass back in its spot and sign back in using the Student Logbook

  Only one student is allowed out at a time. The Student Logbook will be monitored daily to ensure students are not staying out longer than necessary.

  Water breaks

  You may not leave the classroom for water during the first 10 minutes and last 10 minutes of a class period. During the appropriate time, you may drink water using the following procedure:

• Hold up 3 fingers (making a W)

• After being acknowledged by a teacher, sign out in the Student Logbook

• Take the classroom pass before leaving the classroom

• Upon returning, put the classroom pass back in its spot and sign back in using the Student Logbook

  As stated above, only one student is allowed out at a time, and the Student Logbook will be monitored daily to ensure students are not staying out longer than necessary.

 

Entering the classroom

In the hallways, you may speak to your fellow classmates at a level 1 (whisper). When entering the classroom, you must do the following:

• Reduce your noise level to 0 (silence).

• Place your schoolbag on the back of your chair. (Water bottles must remain in your schoolbag.)

• Get your class binder and complete the Do Now.

  Throwing away garbage

  If you have garbage, hold onto it until the end of class or until you work independently. Time will be set aside for you to throw away any garbage at the end of the period.

  Extra help

  If you find yourself confused or unsure about a specific topic, please see one of your ELA teachers. We will be more than happy to help you.

  Attendance
  You are expected to be in class and in your seat on time with all supplies every day . It is your responsibility to see one of your teachers after an absence to retrieve the information you missed and submit all missed assignments. If you are absent, you will have an extra night to complete the class and homework assignments for full credit. If you are absent for an extended period of time, we will work collaboratively to get you caught up.

  Exiting the classroom

  The teacher will signal when it is time to prepare for dismissal. A class is ready to leave when the following criteria are met:

• The desks are straight.

• There is no garbage left near your desk.

• Personal belongings and classwork are put away.

• All assignments/ items due are handed in.

• Noise level is at 0.

  BE POLITE...WORK HARD