Instructor Information - Richmond County School System



Mission StatementBuilding a world-class school system through education, collaboration, and innovation.Vision StatementThe Richmond County School System will create a world-class, globally competitive school system where all students will graduate and are college/ career ready.8th Grade English/ Language Arts Syllabus2021-2022Instructor InformationInstructorEmailClass LocationMrs. Karen Mackmackka@richmond.k12.ga.usClassroom 237 (A Hall)General InformationDescriptionThis course of literature includes reading and comprehending a wide variety of literary forms, including short stories, nonfiction, poetry, novels, drama, and spoken and visual texts. Students will be able to comprehend more challenging books and articles, basing all of their analyses, inferences, and claims on explicit and relevant evidence from the texts. Students will expand on their ability to identify central ideas by identifying how those themes are shaped and conveyed by particular details. Their analysis of basic literary elements will extend to identifying connections and complexities within narratives and how individual elements weave together to advance plot and reveal character. These skills will be incorporated into the students’ own narrative and expository writing. Students will become increasingly adept at understanding an author’s biases, the use of complex rhetorical devices including logical fallacies, and tailoring their own prose for maximum influence. Students tackle more technical informational texts as well. By the end of grade 8 students will be ready to succeed in high school.Expectations and Goals Complete and submit all classwork and homework assignments on time.Students should be prepared daily: be on time; in proper dress; have pen, textbook, and papers.Be respectful of the learning environment.A sign will be posted when technology is allowed in the classroom. Do not use unkind or disrespectful language or gestures.Your teacher has the right to amend these rules and munication ProtocolCommunication can take place in a variety of formats. I encourage parents, as well as, students to contact me if they have concerns about their assignments or academic performance. My preferred method of contact is through Remind, a free text messaging app that helps teachers, students, and parents communicate quickly and efficiently. Please follow the directions on the syllabus to sign up for Remind. You may also contact me through email: mackka@richmond.k12.ga.us. Please allow 24 hours for me to respond to your email.Behavior ProtocolRCSS Code of Conduct outlines the official progressive discipline policy which may be activated based on the student’s behavior and the judgment of an administrator. Other actions may include but are not limited to: Verbal warningPhone call to parent/ guardianWritten referral to administrationBehavior ExpectationsFor any tentative reward events, field trips, celebrations or special events students must meet certain requirements academically and behaviorally in order to participate.PAWtastic Celebrations & Field Trips80 average in all classesNo more than 3 absences during that monthNo tardiesNo discipline (AFD, ISS, ISD, OSS)Special Events70 average in all classesNo discipline (AFD, ISS, ISD, OSS)Present on the day of the eventStudent’s Absence and Late Work Students who are absent from school are required to bring a written excuse for the absence their first day back at school. Upon return to school with a written excuse, students will be given their missed assignment on Canvas. With an excused absence, students have 5 weekdays to turn in missing work without penalty.Late Work PoliciesAll work is expected to be turned in ON TIME. But in the event of late work, this is the policy we follow.Classwork - Due at the END OF CLASS. Anything not turned in will result in a M (missing) flag and a permanent 0 grade. If teacher gives additional time outside of class to finish work, it then turns into homework.Homework/Projects – 10 points will be deducted daily if the assignment is not turned in. After three consecutive classes days a 0 grade will be inputted in the grade book.Students are expected to complete tests and quizzes immediately upon return to class.Academic Honesty PolicyAcademic honesty is an integral part of the learning process. Academic dishonesty is unacceptable because the teacher is misinformed to help the student learn. It is also unacceptable on a larger scale because it is dishonest and subtracts from the student’s personal integrity. If a student is ever concerned about an action, it is best to ask the teacher for guidance. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, copying a friend’s work, cutting and pasting blocks of text without proper documentation of sources, etc. Violating the Academic Honesty Policy will result in a “0” on the assignment and a parent conference. Virtual Tutoring Tutoring is available through FEV Tutoring 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. The link for FEV Tutoring is . For those students who request tutoring with me I am available virtually through TEAMS every Thursday from 5:00-5:45, but I must receive 48-hour notice before the Thursday tutoring session. Please submit the Tutoring Request Form by Tuesday 5:00 pm.Course MaterialsRequired Materials3Ring?Binder?(1/2 inch) ?????????????????????Notebook?paper Earbuds Writing utensils blue and/or black?ink pensDividersComposition BookColoring Pencils or MarkersPencil SharpenerOptional MaterialsComputer/ TechnologyHighlighters?(pink,?green,?yellow, blue) TissueHand sanitizer5/8 Note cardsRequired Text Houghton Mifflin Harcourt CollectionsGradesGrading PolicyThe DISTRICT GRADING PLAN is applied to points earned by the end of a grading period is as follows: A =100-90; B=89-80; C=79-75 D=74-70; F=69 and below. Assignment grades are recorded on a point basis. A grade may count more than once depending on the skill(s) assessed. Term grades are calculated as a percentage of the total points possible. Areas evaluated will be weighted as follows: Summative – 35%?These are major assessments, such as tests, essays, and presentations, which show students mastery of skills and content. Students will have extended time to complete or prepare for these assignments, and they will know all due dates well in advance.? Some summative grades for a particular unit will be posted at the end of the unit after students have had ample time to develop, practice, and master the skills.??Formative – 45%?Quizzes and other assignments are used for skill building purposes and for measuring a student’s understanding of the content. Students will have vocabulary quizzes and quizzes over reading selections.?Discussions/Classwork/Homework-20%?Group discussions will be an integral part of our class. Learning how to communicate in a scholarly and professional way is very important in college or in any career field. Specific expectations will be posted and discussed prior to our first discussion post.?? Total 100% *Parents may access student grades via the Infinite Campus Parent portalEnd-of-Grade AssessmentThe Georgia Milestones Assessment System (Georgia Milestones) is a comprehensive summative assessment program spanning grades 3 through high school. Georgia Milestones measures how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students in grades 3 through 8 will take an end-of-grade assessment in each content area. Richmond County Promotion RequirementsIn compliance with the Georgia Promotion, Placement, and Retention law and State Board of Education Rule, students in grades 8 must achieve grade level proficiency on the Georgia Milestones in reading. A student must also meet the promotion standards and criteria established by the local board of education for the school that the student attends. No eighth-grade student shall be promoted to the ninth grade that does not achieve grade level on the state-adopted assessment and meet the local promotion standards and criteria established by The Richmond County Board of Education. *?Additional Richmond County Promotion RequirementsTo meet promotion requirements students in grades six-eighth must:a)?? Obtain a passing grade on the report card in:?Language Arts and Mathematicsb)? Obtain a passing grade on the report card in at least one of the following: Social Studies and/or Sciencec)? Obtain a passing average in at least half of all connections’ courses.Class Period: _____Syllabus Signature FormName of student: _________________________________________I have read and understand the class syllabus and expectations for 8th Grade English/ Language Arts. In addition, the following information is current.Parent’s name: _________________________________________Parent’s home phone/cell phone: _________________________________________Mailing address: ________________________________________________________________________________Parent E-mail address: ________________________________________________________________________________ Student signatureParent signature________________________________________ _____________________________________ ................
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