English 8
General Course Description
Reading comprehension, grammar, spelling, and vocabulary development
Writing journals, essays, and short responses
Participating in class discussions, projects, and oral reports
Reading various short stories, novels, plays and poems
Books recommended to purchase (there will also be a class set in the room)
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
The Lais of Marie De France
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
We will follow the California State Standards for 8th grade English/Language Arts. For more detailed information see www.cde.ca.gov.
Expectations and Consequences
1. Respect
Respect the school Consequences:
Respect yourself 1. Warning
Respect your peers 2. Student-Teacher conference
Respect your teacher 3. Call to parent/classroom cleanup
2. Follow directions 4. Student-Principal conference
3. When the tardy bells rings, be in your seat and ready to learn.
4. Bring all books and materials to class.
5. The teacher, not the bell, dismisses you. Dispose of your trash and push in your chair before leaving.
Behavior and Your Citizenship Grade
* Follow all school rules. These include no gum chewing, no wearing of hats, and no cell phone usage in the classroom – cell phones must be OFF in class. If you use your cell phone in the class (for calls, texting, pictures, etc.), or if your phone rings or vibrates during class time, the school’s rule will be followed. Your cell phone will be taken to the office and you will receive further disciplinary action from the Principal’s office.
* Abide by all school and classroom expectations to receive a passing citizenship grade.
* A student will earn the grade of “Unsatisfactory” if one or more of the following occurs:
* Student’s poor behavior warrants the grade
* Student has four or more tardies in one quarter (school policy)
* Student is truant
* Student plagiarizes an assignment
Daily Materials for Class
* A 3-ring binder for English with 8½ x 11 lined paper and dividers. A one-inch binder should be fine. I suggest the following labels for your dividers, but this is up to your discretion: current assignments, literature, writing, grammar, and literary notes.
* Pencils and dark blue ink or black ink pens AND colorful highlighters (yellow, blue, orange, pink, and green)
* Colored markers or colored pencils will be needed for projects
* Composition notebook – this notebook is solely for English journals
* LCHS student handbook “agenda”
Grading, Guidelines, and Assessments
Grades:
A = 100-90% B = 89-80% C = 79-70% D = 69-60% F = 59% and below
Grade Weight:
30% Writing (includes essays, journals, paragraphs, and other writing assignments)
25% Tests and Quizzes (includes unit exams, spelling/vocabulary tests, grammar tests, etc.)
25% Assignments (includes book reports, reading comprehension, definitions, grammar, etc.)
10% Participation (in-class discussions, reading out loud, asking questions, attentiveness, etc)
10% Semester Final
Assessments/Tests:
Students will be assessed through a variety of formats. Assessments will include, but are not limited to, multiple-choice tests, book reports, oral presentations, in-class activities, compositions, short-answer and long-answer essay tests, and fill-in-the-blank tests. Test formats are discussed prior to the actual test date. Sample assessment questions are attached.
Make-up tests, returning of tests, and late work:
If a student has an excused absence on the day of a test, upon returning to school he/she must speak with Mr. Howe to schedule a time to make up the test.
Late work due to an excused absence follows the District approved policy: “The student is allowed one day more than the number of days absent to complete work missed.” Late work not due to an excused absence will receive partial credit of no more than 50%.
Homework:
The homework policy follows the District approved policy: “8th grade students will have approximately twenty minutes of homework per subject per night.” Please remember along with typical “homework” assignments this includes studying for upcoming tests and preparing essays.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is when someone takes a work (like an essay or book report) or words (part of a paragraph, homework assignment, etc.) from someone else and presents it as his/her own. Anyone caught plagiarizing will receive an automatic zero on the assignment along with a referral to the principal and honor court for disciplinary action. Remember to always cite your source!
Need help? Students, if you need help, please feel free to drop by any morning before school and talk with me. Also, the Homeroom period is a perfect opportunity to come and speak with me. Ask your HR teacher first and then come on in! You may also schedule a time with me that works better for you.
General Course Description
Reading comprehension, grammar, spelling, and vocabulary development
Writing journals, essays, and short responses
Participating in class discussions, projects, and oral reports
Reading various short stories, novels, plays and poems
Books recommended to purchase (there will also be a class set in the room)
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
The Lais of Marie De France
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
We will follow the California State Standards for 8th grade English/Language Arts. For more detailed information see www.cde.ca.gov.
Expectations and Consequences
1. Respect
Respect the school Consequences:
Respect yourself 1. Warning
Respect your peers 2. Student-Teacher conference
Respect your teacher 3. Call to parent/classroom cleanup
2. Follow directions 4. Student-Principal conference
3. When the tardy bells rings, be in your seat and ready to learn.
4. Bring all books and materials to class.
5. The teacher, not the bell, dismisses you. Dispose of your trash and push in your chair before leaving.
Behavior and Your Citizenship Grade
* Follow all school rules. These include no gum chewing, no wearing of hats, and no cell phone usage in the classroom – cell phones must be OFF in class. If you use your cell phone in the class (for calls, texting, pictures, etc.), or if your phone rings or vibrates during class time, the school’s rule will be followed. Your cell phone will be taken to the office and you will receive further disciplinary action from the Principal’s office.
* Abide by all school and classroom expectations to receive a passing citizenship grade.
* A student will earn the grade of “Unsatisfactory” if one or more of the following occurs:
* Student’s poor behavior warrants the grade
* Student has four or more tardies in one quarter (school policy)
* Student is truant
* Student plagiarizes an assignment
Daily Materials for Class
* A 3-ring binder for English with 8½ x 11 lined paper and dividers. A one-inch binder should be fine. I suggest the following labels for your dividers, but this is up to your discretion: current assignments, literature, writing, grammar, and literary notes.
* Pencils and dark blue ink or black ink pens AND colorful highlighters (yellow, blue, orange, pink, and green)
* Colored markers or colored pencils will be needed for projects
* Composition notebook – this notebook is solely for English journals
* LCHS student handbook “agenda”
Grading, Guidelines, and Assessments
Grades:
A = 100-90% B = 89-80% C = 79-70% D = 69-60% F = 59% and below
Grade Weight:
30% Writing (includes essays, journals, paragraphs, and other writing assignments)
25% Tests and Quizzes (includes unit exams, spelling/vocabulary tests, grammar tests, etc.)
25% Assignments (includes book reports, reading comprehension, definitions, grammar, etc.)
10% Participation (in-class discussions, reading out loud, asking questions, attentiveness, etc)
10% Semester Final
Assessments/Tests:
Students will be assessed through a variety of formats. Assessments will include, but are not limited to, multiple-choice tests, book reports, oral presentations, in-class activities, compositions, short-answer and long-answer essay tests, and fill-in-the-blank tests. Test formats are discussed prior to the actual test date. Sample assessment questions are attached.
Make-up tests, returning of tests, and late work:
If a student has an excused absence on the day of a test, upon returning to school he/she must speak with Mr. Howe to schedule a time to make up the test.
Late work due to an excused absence follows the District approved policy: “The student is allowed one day more than the number of days absent to complete work missed.” Late work not due to an excused absence will receive partial credit of no more than 50%.
Homework:
The homework policy follows the District approved policy: “8th grade students will have approximately twenty minutes of homework per subject per night.” Please remember along with typical “homework” assignments this includes studying for upcoming tests and preparing essays.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is when someone takes a work (like an essay or book report) or words (part of a paragraph, homework assignment, etc.) from someone else and presents it as his/her own. Anyone caught plagiarizing will receive an automatic zero on the assignment along with a referral to the principal and honor court for disciplinary action. Remember to always cite your source!
Need help? Students, if you need help, please feel free to drop by any morning before school and talk with me. Also, the Homeroom period is a perfect opportunity to come and speak with me. Ask your HR teacher first and then come on in! You may also schedule a time with me that works better for you.