Eighth Grade Humanities - OAK PARK USD



Miss Skiba’s

8th Grade Language Arts

Syllabus

Description:

Our language arts program will alternate between writing and literature units. We will be reading Johnny Tremain to coincide with our study of events leading up to the Revolution, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer will be read to understand the parts of a plot, the techniques of story telling, and vocabulary. Writing will be stressed in both formal and informal formats; students will complete a variety of essays and stories throughout the year. Grammar, vocabulary, proofreading, and the AR reading requirement will continue to be part of the Language Arts program.

We look forward to an exciting and challenging school year. Always feel free to contact me (email is best) with any questions or concerns.

Email:

kskiba@

8th Grade Language Arts Class Requirements

Teacher Website: My teacher website provides helpful resources. When required, students will need to print resources to bring to class.

> MCMS > Staff Pages > Skiba, Kristina

AR - Accelerated Reading Program: Students will be responsible for reading at least FOUR AR books during the school year (a minimum of one book per quarter). Students must adhere to the requirements on the AR form, and the form must be completed, and signed by a parent in order to take a test. Please present completed form on day you wish to take the tests. Forms are available at the front of the room all year. Reading material must be brought to class every day, even after taking an AR test for the quarter.

> MCMS > Staff Pages > Skiba, Kristina > Language Arts

> Accelerated Reader (AR)

Student Portfolio: Students will create a writing portfolio that will allow them to feel a pride of ownership of their work and enable them to see the personal and academic growth of the work they have completed. This portfolio will be featured at Open House.

Curriculum Standards: The Humanities department will focus on state standards for Language Arts and Social Studies. California State Standards can be found in each unit’s materials.

Q: The online grade book is another valuable resource. Students and parents can track a student’s academic scores throughout the year. This will allow you to know, at any time, a student’s overall grade, individual assignment grades, as well as any tardies or absences that may have been recorded. Signed grade verification forms will be required throughout the year.

Grading Policy: Students are responsible for keeping track of their grades. Updated grades can be found on Q. Academic grades include homework, class work, essays, AR, tests, and projects.

Academic Grades:

100% or above A+

92.5% - 99.9% A

89.5% - 92.4% A-

87.5% - 89.4% B+

82.5% - 87.4% B

79.5% - 82.4% B-

77.5% - 79.4% C+

72.5% - 77.4% C

69.5% - 72.4% C-

67.5% - 69.4% D+

62.5% - 67.4% D

59.5% - 62.4% D-

59.4% or below F

Work Habits Grades: Daily homework and class assignments are practice towards mastery of skills. Receiving less than 70% on an assignment due to “poor work habits” (lack of effort/quality, etc.) will earn a work habits check. Work must be turned in ON TIME according to your teacher’s expectations. In addition, in order to avoid a work habits check, students must have their textbooks and required materials with them daily. Finally, students must be on task.

Citizenship Grades: These reflect students’ behavior and participation in the classroom. The following characteristics are considered:

• Arrives on time to class prepared to work

• Respects other students and adults

• Displays a positive attitude

• Raises hand, follows classroom expectations (Respect teacher and each other, no horseplay, exercise good judgment)

• Follows the Medea Creek guidelines as per the student handbook (No gum or food, no cell phones, water is permitted, ipods dependent on teacher discretion).

**Citizenship marks are important for 8th graders! Any more than 4 U’s in citizenship in the school year or more than one in the last quarter will disqualify a student from year end activities – including culmination!**

0-2 checks= “O” 3-4 checks= “S”

5-6 checks= “N” 7 or more= “U”

Homework Responsibilities: Students are responsible for turning in all work assigned in class, whether absent or not.

• Absences: Absent students may make up class work, homework, tests, and projects, having the number of days absent, plus one to make up the work. When absent, students are required to check weekly schedules and/or see me in order to remain current with assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any missed work. Credit will NOT be given when work is turned in beyond the due date.

• Additional time not provided for AR tests.

• Missed Tests: Students must make arrangements with the teacher to make up tests the DAY THEY RETURN FROM AN ABSENCE.

• Late Work: No late class work or homework will be accepted for credit. With long-term projects of higher value and essays, students will lose 10% of the total points for every day it is late (unless there is an EXCUSED absence).

Supplies: The following supplies are recommended for class throughout the school year. Please let the teacher know if there are any difficulties obtaining supplies and alternate arrangements will be worked out.

1. Three-ring binder with a section for Language Arts and a section for Social Studies

2. Book Covers: textbooks covered at all times – can use construction paper/bags

3. Johnny Tremain; The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (More info to follow)

4. Index Cards (3x5 lined)

5. 3 x 3 Post-It Notes

6. Notebook paper

7. Highlighters (3 different colors)

8. Pens (blue/black only); White Out

9. Correcting pen (a bright, contrasting color to pencil/blue/black)

10. Pencils (with erasers)

11. Colored pencils; Markers

12. Scissors

13. Glue Stick

14. Mini stapler with staple supply

15. AR book (bring daily)

Reminder: As suggested by the school, you have the option to bring in:

• 1 box of tissues

• 1 roll of paper towels

• 2 reams of copy paper (1 color and 1 white)

Video/DVD Policy: In both Language Arts and Social Studies, videos are occasionally shown to reinforce material being taught. Often, a video may be shown to show something in a different light. By signing the attached sheet, you are giving permission to view all videos in our classrooms.

Wish List: Each year, there are some “extras” that we like to use in the classroom, above and beyond our regular department supply order. All contributions are greatly appreciated, and completely optional.

* Hand sanitizer

* Kleenex

* Paper Towels

* Paper plates/plastic forks

*Wet Ones (or something similar) to wipe hands or face

*New or gently used AR book (6th-10th grade reading level

Note: Bathroom breaks dependent on teacher discretion. Students should utilize the restroom, get water, etc. at designated break times and NOT during class, as much as possible.

Office Hours:

Besides in class test reviews, students are welcome to make appointments for individual help or to review tests. I will make myself available at lunch and most days after school.

Parents and students may reach me through email: kskiba@

Wishing you a wonderful year!

Miss Kristina Skiba

And the 8th Grade Humanities Dept.

Remember, I am here to help you. It is important to me and integral to your growth that this classroom remain a safe place. I encourage you to be creative and open, while remaining respectful and tolerant of others. I aim always to be fair and I want you to feel comfortable communicating with me. I look forward to getting to know you as individuals and as students. Please come to me with questions, concerns, or any comments you may have.

Parent/Student Syllabus Signature Sheet

Dear Parent:

We have given both you and your child a lot of information. Please read over the letter together, and sign this letter to indicate that you have read/understood each component.

Please return by .

Parent Signature_________________________________________

Parent Email for Teacher Communication (please write legibly)

Student Signature__________________________________________

Student Name (Printed) ________________________________

Comments/Questions:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Movie Permission – Miss Skiba, Humanities 8

Dear Parents,

In an effort to enhance and reinforce concepts being taught in class, several movies and documentaries will be shown at appropriate times throughout the year. Portions or the entirety of the following films will be shown:

History

America: The Story of Us History Channel series NR

Mysterious Journeys:

Witches of Salem Travel Channel series NR

Freedom: History of US PBS miniseries NR

George Washington A&E Documentary NR

April Morning TV movie NR

National Treasure (1 & 2) Disney movies PG

Lewis and Clark:

Great Journey West National Geographic NR

The Alamo Touchstone movie PG13

Civil War Video Highlights various

The Day Lincoln Was Shot TV movie TV14

(or Killing Lincoln)

English

Johnny Tremain NR

Mark Twain: His Amazing Adventures NR

Tom and Huck PG

Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventure PG

Portions of other documentaries and educational cartoons may also be used at various points in the year. Additional notification and permission slips will be sent home for any additional film not rated G or PG.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns on any of these titles.

Citizenship

Behaviors that affect Citizenship

Talking

- Don’t talk out of turn

- No yelling out/Raise hand to ask and answer questions/make comments

- No noise when moving as a class (library, assembly, fire drill)

- Use “inside voices”

Off Task

- Not doing what you’re supposed to

- Do not socialize during class work time

- Doing work for other classes without permission

- Doing nothing (You can always read AR, work on grammar skills book)

Not following directions

- not reading an AR book during silent reading

- hoods/hats are not to be on in class

- no horseplay: hands off fellow students at all times

- not responding to teacher directions the first time

- you are not to be in a classroom without a teacher

- no changing seats from those assigned without permission

Disrespectful

• to people

- no names

- no discourteous behavior toward others

- no foul language

- stay where you belong (no pencil sharpener, tissues, etc.) when anyone (teacher, students, or guest) is speaking to the class

- no inappropriate “joking”

• to property

- take care of computers, mice, screens

- no writing on desks

- don’t leave trash or belongings behind

- respect school and personal property of others

- no hiding things that belong to others

- return class/school items where they belong in the same condition they started in

Banned items

- cell phones/iPods out in class (if on and in use: to office)

- dress code infraction

- toys, makeup, cameras, etc. in class

Gum/Food

- not allowed unless there’s a special, pre-approved occasion

- water is the only drink allowed

Copying

- copying work lowers citizenship a letter for both parties(people who participate in cheating are not outstanding)

- plagiarism of published materials holds the same classroom consequence and will be referred to the dean

Scale: (Number of infractions per class per quarter)

0-2 = O

3-4 = S

5-6 = N

7 + = U

Checks given when there are substitutes, when there are guests in the room, or when we are at assemblies, fire drills, or in the library WILL BE DOUBLED!

Check your status often by communicating with me and referring to progress reports!

Keep this information all year in your binder!

The Forbidden List

Books That You MAY NOT

Read for AR

• Sign of the Beaver

• Tolliver’s Secret

• Two Years Before the Mast Weasel

• Hatchet

• Indian in the Cupboard

• Shiloh

• Racing the Sun

• Sarah, Plain and Tall

• Paddle to the Sea

• Save Queen of Sheba

• Words of Stone

• Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

• What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin

• And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?

• Where the Red Fern Grows

• Island of the Blue Dolphins

• The Pioneers Go West

• By the Great Horn Spoon

• Cricket in Times Square

• Dear Mr. Henshaw

• The Hundred Dresses

• The Enormous Egg

• The War with Grandpa

• In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson

• Zia

• The Giver

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid (all of the series)

• Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind

• The Witch of Blackbird Pond

• Among the Hidden

• The Kid Who Ran for President

Accelerated Reader Program

Quiz Score _____________ Test By Date: __________________

Q Points ___________ This form & book DUE: ____________

***You MUST complete this form to take an AR Test***

Directions: You are responsible for reading one AR book each quarter. You are expected to have a book by the designated due date and bring it to class each day. The AR book MUST be on the AR list, consist of at least 150 pages and 7 points, and it cannot be on the forbidden list. Also, AR tests MUST be taken by the due date provided each quarter (NO EXCEPTIONS). This form, which includes a parent signature, must be turned in on the day you plan to take a test. No form, no test. Tests may be taken after school or at lunch by appointment, or during designated class time. I encourage you to choose an AR book that you want to read. Happy reading!

Your Name ____________________________________________

Title of Book ___________________________________________

Author _______________________________________________

# of Pages________ (must be over 150) AR Points (at least 7) _______

Parent Signature ___________________ Teacher Approval ____________

Dear Parent,

AR is a program for students to read and take tests on books they have never read before. Please monitor your child’s reading progress to meet the deadline. Please sign confirming that the book choice is on the AR list, has never been read or tested on, and will be/has been read this quarter.

* NOTE: There are no extensions given for AR tests & this form remains with the student.

*The computerized test must align with the title of book written on the form. If not, credit will not be given for the test.

REMEMBER: Before you take EACH AR test, you must complete the AR questions on the back of this page!

After Reading Questions

Directions: After reading your novel, complete the following questions in complete, detailed sentences. You MUST have these questions completed in order to take the AR test!

1. Who are the main characters?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the setting of the novel?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is the conflict (main problem)? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What is the climax (turning point or most suspenseful event)? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What is the resolution (how the problem is solved)? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

COWs: Rules/Directions

KEEP THIS IN YOUR BINDER ALL YEAR!

1. Rules

• Handle your COW with care – you are responsible for returning it in the same condition in which you received it.

• Use the COW assigned to you every time we use them! Your COW will get to know you and signing on will be faster(

• Once the COW is flat on your desk, leave it there. Do not move around the room with the COW. We don’t want any COWs tipped or dropped.

• Log on to the COW with your ID number and Zangle password, but do NOT share that information with other students.

• When using the COW, use it for assigned purposes only. Any inappropriate uses will cause you to lose use of COWs.

• When finished working, save your work to the appropriate place (see below), log off, and shut down if no other students are waiting to use that COW.

• COW should be returned to the correct spot in the cart, cord wrapped so there isn’t extra wire dangling, and power is attached.

2. Procedures

• When your time is up with the COW, save your work to one of the following places:

o Not done working: save to the documents folder on the desktop, so you can go back and work again. The desktop is NOT safe!

o Done: Save to your documents folder.

o Hand-In Folders: Then save (Save As) your project on the desktop: Title your project with your first name last initial, as well as the project (ex: kristinaspuzzle). In the dock, there is an icon labeled MCMS student. Click on that and find my name in the teacher folder. Within that folder are more folders labeled by period. Open the appropriate period number. More folders in here – finished work ready to be graded needs to be put in the hand-in folder. NOTE: This process does NOT work at home.

**Note: If you have multiple assignments, place them in a folder and send your ONE folder to the hand-in folder.

o **Use your flashdrive to back up all your documents.

I shall abide by the above rules/procedures. I understand that if I don’t, I will lose the privilege of using COWs in the classroom.

Student Signature ______________________________ Date ______________

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