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English 8 Syllabus 2018-19Teacher: ?Melanie BehelCourse Title: ?English 8Room: ?095 Planning period: ?3rd period E-mail: ?mbehel@Learning Management System: ?Moodle (learn.) and Google ClassroomCourse DescriptionThe 8th grade curriculum for 8th grade Language Arts is based on the current Baldwin County Pacing Guide. These standards come directly from the ELA Revised 2016 Alabama Course of Study. These standards are divided into 4 headings that drive instruction:Reading (Literary texts) and Reading (Informational texts)Writing (Narrative, Informational/Explanatory, Argumentative)Speaking and Listening (Comprehension, Presentation, Public Speaking)Language (Grammar and Vocabulary acquisition)Alabama Course of Study Standards for Language Arts can be viewed at Goals and ObjectivesStudents will make academic gains in reading comprehension, collaborative skills, critical thinking skills, writing skills, speaking and listening skills, and vocabulary acquisition.Students will make academic gains through the use of whole group instruction, small group collaboration, and independent reading and writing workshops.The student, teacher, and parents will monitor student progress through formative and summative data using programs such as Scantron Performance Series, INow, NoRedInk, Google Classroom, and Moodle.1st 9 WeeksBig Idea Focus: Rites of Passage Skill Focus: Literary Analysis and Expository Writing Guiding Questions: How does setting contribute to the conflict in a story? How does an author create a character? What rites of passage do characters and people go through? How do literary elements create meaning?Suggested Texts:Major Work: That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. HintonPoetry: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost and “Mother to Son” by Langston HughesNonfiction: “The Cutting of My Long Hair” by Zitkala-Sa, “Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan, and an excerpt from Ann Petry’s Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground RailroadFiction: “Edna’s Ruthie” from The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros2nd 9 WeeksBig Idea Focus: Mystery and SuspenseSkill Focus: Literary AnalysisGuiding questions: How does an author use characterization, setting, mood, and diction to create suspense? How does an author use connotative diction, imagery, details, and figurative language to develop characterization? Suggested Texts: Major Work: an abridged version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson Fiction: Excerpts from The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway and The First Betrayal by Patricia BrayPoetry: “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes and “The Shark” by E.J. PrattNonfiction: Except from Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand3rd 9 WeeksBig Idea Focus: Challenges and ChoicesSkill Focus: Argument and CharacterizationGuided Questions: How do we deal with differences?Why are we fearful of differences?How important is communication to overcoming that fear?Why do we fall into conformity/wanting to be like others?How does society encourage conformity?Suggested Texts: Major Works: the drama The Diary of Anne Frank and Elie Wiesel’s Night (lessons and activities may be adapted as necessary) and Ender’s Game by Orson Scott CardFiction: “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, “Raymond’s Run” (Holt Textbook- page 36) Alternate Texts: Walter Dean Myers’ “The Treasure of Lemon Brown” (Holt Textbook - Pages 176+)Poetry: Alternate Text: Julio Noboa’s “Identity” (Holt Textbook - page 621) and Naomi Shihab Nye’s “My Father and the Figtree” (Holt Textbook - page 405)Nonfiction: “Dancing to Connect to a Global Tribe” by Matt Harding; “Ain’t I a Woman” by Sojourner Truth [Alternate Texts: excerpt from Willy Lindwer’s The Last Seven Months of Anne Frank (Holt Textbook - pages 571+), excerpt from Anne Frank’s The Diary of Anne Frank (Holt Textbook - page 544), Gerda Weissmann Klein’s “A Diary from Another World” (Holt Textbook - pages 569-570)4th 9 WeeksBig Idea Focus: Nothing New Under the Sun Skill Focus: Drama and AllusionsGuiding Question: How does the past influence our culture?Suggested Texts:Major Work: an abridged version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William ShakespeareFiction: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” adapted by Charles and Mary Lamb [Alternate Texts: “Pandora’s Box” (Holt Textbook - pages 476+), “The Old Grandfather and His Little Grandson” (Holt Textbook - pages 488-489) and “The Wise Old Woman” (Holt Textbook - pages 490-496)]Poetry: “When icicles hang by the wall” by William Shakespeare; “Lullaby” by William Shakespeare; “Blue Flag” by Elizabeth Brewster [Additional Texts: “Sonnet 18” and “Sonnet 116” by William Shakespeare]Multimedia: ?Why Shakespeare? by Lawrence Bridges, National Endowment for the Arts*vocabulary, grammar, writing and research integrated within each nine weeksMaterialsHolt McDougal Literature Online Edition Grade 8/textbooks used during classLoose-leaf paperSharpened pencils and blue or black ink pensColoring pencilsNovels (when assigned)Notecards (when needed)Small 3-ring binder or folder for papers givenFully charged ChromebookOther supplies may be needed, and I will give plenty of notice.Testing and Homework Schedule Tuesday and Thursday – TestsMonday, Wednesday, and Friday – HomeworkMonday – Projects DueCommunication Teachers and parents must work together to ensure student success! Parents, if you would like to talk, ask questions, or schedule a conference, please email me at mbehel@. I will post daily activities/work on Google calendar and my Moodle calendar. I send weekly updates through the INow email feature to parent/guardian email addresses and student ibaldwin accounts. Grade Determination The following grading scale will be used: A = 90 – 100, B = 80 – 89, C = 70 – 79, D = 60 – 69, F = 59 and below. The following weighting scale will be used to determine each nine-week grade: 60% = Assessments 30% = Classwork 10% = Homework *The teacher will determine which category an assignment is placed in based on the purpose and value of the assignment in promoting enrichment of the lesson, skill development, and mastery of the objective. To Calculate Course Grades for Students: For the first semester, the midterm grade should be a “stand alone” item in the gradebook and is worth 5% of the first semester grade.Example: 1st quarter average (47.5%) + 2nd quarter grade (47.5%) + midterm exam (5%) = first semester averageFor the second semester, the final exam grade is a “stand alone” category in the gradebook.Example: 3rd quarter average (47.5%) + 4th quarter average (47.5%) + final exam (5%) = second semester averageFor students who are exempt from final exams, check “EXEMPT” under “STUDENT AVERAGES” in INow.Final course grade: first semester average + second semester average ÷ 2 = final course averageDiscipline Students must follow all Baldwin County and Spanish Fort Middle School rules. The Spanish Fort Middle School discipline policy can be found in the student handbook.LaptopsStudents are to follow the computer discipline guidelines found in their student handbook. Students are expected to come to school with their laptops fully charged everyday! Students may charge during break and lunch. Hall Pass Policy In order to leave the classroom, students must have the permission of the teacher, sign the clipboard, and write the time. In addition, students must have the correct hall pass lanyard with them when in the hallway and return the lanyard to their teacher or the correct location in the classroom. Classroom Rules1. Be respectful of others and all property.2. Be tolerant of other opinions and personal values.3. Be in the classroom working when the bell rings.4. Bring needed materials to class.5. No gum, food, or drinks.6. Keep hands, feet, etc. to yourself.7. The bell does not release you. The teacher will. ................
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