8th Grade Language Arts Syllabus



8th Grade Language Arts Syllabus

2009-2010 School Year

Ms. LaRocque, LaRocqueV@stlucie.k12.fl.us

mslarocque.

Phone: (772) 345-3245

Class Texts: Elements of Literature Second Course (Holt, Reinhart, and Winston) Writer’s Choice Grade 8 (Glencoe McGraw-Hill)

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

Sounder by William H. Armstrong

Course Description: Reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing competencies are integrated throughout students’ learning experiences. Benchmarks for the Sunshine State Standards are repeated as needed in course sequences. As students progress from one course to the next, increases should occur in complexity of materials and tasks and in the students’ independence in the application of skills and strategies.

Learning tasks and materials accommodate the individual needs of students.

Technology is available for students to develop competencies in the language arts.

Course Content: The purpose of this course is to provide integrated educational experiences in the language arts strands of reading, writing, listening, viewing, speaking, language, and literature. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Using the reading process to construct meaning from a wide range of literary, informational, and technical texts

• Using the writing process to communicate information and ideas

• Using listening, viewing, and speaking strategies

• Understanding the power of language and using language in authentic contexts

• Understanding the common features of a variety of literary forms

• Responding critically to visual, oral, and written texts.

:

Writing Opportunities

1. Essay Writing

• Participate in multiple FCAT Writes simulations (in class and school-wide)

? Practice the writing process through various examples of expository and persuasive writing

2. Journal Writing

• Respond to a given prompt/situation or free, personal writing in an informal collection

3. Response to Literature

• Create formal and/or informal written responses related to a piece of fiction or nonfiction

Reading Opportunities

1. Fiction and Non-Fiction analysis

• Practice and enhance reading comprehension through reading, discussing, and responding to various forms of text

2. Class Novel

• Read and examine a selected novel through, independent reading, teacher read aloud, and/or literature circles

• Construct responses relating to the novel through discussions and various written activities

3. Independent Reading

• Create personal analysis of selected texts

• Build awareness of the writing process through reading and evaluating sample pieces of writing

Vocabulary Building

1. Word Wall interaction

• Participate in building and maintaining personal and class word wall

• Demonstrate accurate word usage in daily writing and word mapping activities

Grammar Usage

1. Grammar mini lessons

• Develop knowledge of correct usage of grammar in mini lessons

• Demonstrate accurate grammar usage in daily writing

Materials:

• 2 inch binder

• Dividers (Labeled: class notes, writing, grammar, vocabulary, graded papers)

• marbled composition book

• notebook paper

• pens (blue, black)

Assignments:

• Homework is due at the beginning of class.

• All homework and classwork is to be submitted on time and will otherwise result in a deduction of 21 points.

• When absent, it is the student’s responsibility to request and make up all missed assignments.

Grading Plan:

• Tests (40% of grade)

• Writing Assignments (35% of grade)

• Homework/Classwork (20% of grade)

• Journal Writings (5% of grade)

Classroom Plan: Follow Palm Pointe’s Operating Principles

Treat everyone with respect and courtesy,

Create and maintain a safe and positive learning environment,

Show respect for school and personal property,

Be prepared for learning.

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