ELA textbook and Syllabus

ELA Textbook received pic attached

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Grade 8 English/Language Arts and Composition

Course Description 

Grade 8 English/Language Arts and Composition Students receive integrated instruction focusing on reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students continue to study the history and development of English vocabulary; grade level vocabulary is explicitly taught. Students continue to compare different types of writing as well as different perspectives on similar topics or themes. They evaluate the logic of informational texts and analyze how literature reflects the backgrounds, attitudes, and beliefs of the authors. They read and respond to fiction selections, such as classic and contemporary literature, historical fiction, fantasy or science fiction, mystery or adventure, folklore or mythology, poetry, short stories, and dramas, and nonfiction selections, such as subject area books, biographies or autobiographies, magazines and newspapers, various reference or technical materials, and online information. Students will read a variety of literary and informational text working to extract meaning and uncover the author’s purpose, and point-of-view.  Students will study the major literary elements and work to apply them to various genres of literary texts for the sake of analysis. Students will learn to write formally and emphasis will be placed on format, structure, cohesion, clarity, and grammar and mechanics. Students will work explicitly on style and voice in their writing. Students will continue to develop their research and analytical skills by drawing evidence from different texts that support an assertion and/or argument.  

Required Texts

Text	Author
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings	Maya Angelou
Of Mice and Men	John Steinbeck
Romeo and Juliet	William Shakespeare

Required Readings

Required readings include novels, short stories, poems, and essentially any other paired texts.  It is the student’s responsibility to complete all readings. Links to PDF versions of all texts will be posted on Google Classroom when they are available.  

Materials Needed for the Course  

• 1 Black or Blue ink pen
• 2 Pencil (used only for annotations)
• Notebook
• Folder
• Loose Leaf College Ruled Paper

Attendance/Tardiness

Class attendance is required.  It is imperative that students attend class each day.  Chronic absenteeism will result in a failing grade for the course.  Likewise, students are expected to arrive to school each day on time, and are expected to arrive to each class on time.  Chronic tardiness will result in a failing grade for the course.   

Course Policies and Procedures

• Students should access school email account a minimum of once per school day; all assignments and messages sent to teachers should be sent from the school email account. Likewise, students should log on to Google Classroom each school day. 
• Submit all formal writing assignments as an email or a hard copy.
• Plagiarism will result in a failing grade on the plagiarized assignment, and will result in disciplinary action.
• Food and Drinks are not allowed in the classroom. No exceptions. 
• All school rules regarding cell phone use, uniform, and hall passes will be enforced.

Class Rules

1- Be Respectful—Respect your classmate and others around you.  Respect another individual’s possessions (personal items), and space.  Respect school property. Remember to always use appropriate language, and the appropriate tone. 

2- Be Responsible – Arrive to class in a timely manner, complete all assignments.  Arrive to school with all needed materials. Accept responsibility for actions and behavior.  Be diligent and consistent about school matters. 

3- Be Safe—Remember to be cautious and alert at all times.  Walk in the hallways, dispose of trash appropriately, and use items for their intended use.  Follow all directions. Remain orderly and exhibit school decorum.

Lockers

Students are required to place all of their belongings in their locker.  Students are required to carry their notebooks and materials to class.    

Late Assignments

Late assignments (formal writing assignments) will receive a 5% deduction each day it is late.  After a week, the assignment will receive a zero. Work is considered late if it is not submitted at the time the teacher collects it, or closes the window for electronic submission. 

If an assignment is not submitted in a timely manner due to out of school suspension, or an out of school activity, the deduction for late work will still apply.  If a student is absent from school for another reason and the assignment is not submitted on time, the late deductions apply. 

Homework

Homework assignments provide students with opportunities to practice and hone particular skills.  Students should be prepared to complete homework each night. Homework includes independent reading, reviewing class notes, studying for an exam, and completing practice exercises.  Students are expected to complete all homework assignments. Homework will be scored for accuracy, and completion. Incomplete homework assignments will automatically receive a zero.  Students will not be permitted to submit missing homework assignments for a score. Homework assignments will be posted on Google Classroom. 

Class Participation

It is expected that every student actively participate in class.  Active participation includes participating in class discussions, completing all class work—including the “Do Now” activity, taking notes, working in groups, working independently.  Regular class participation is required and will count toward your grade. Class work is work that should be completed in class, not for homework.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is any attempt to pass off ideas or words of another without crediting the source. If you submit written work that you did not write, even if it is one sentence, without crediting the source, you have plagiarized. Plagiarized work will receive an automatic zero and disciplinary action. For more information on plagiarism please see the M.E.T.S Student Handbook.

Grading Policy

Category	Brief Description	Grade Percentage
Ready to Learn	Students are expected to come into school prepared and ready to learn in every classroom. This grade includes the “do now” assignment	10% of marking period grade
Class work	This category includes all work begun and/or completed in class, class discussions, group activities, student journals, warm-ups, and other assigned tasks.	30% of marking period grade
Homework	This category includes work completed outside of the class setting: assigned and independent readings and/or accompanying tasks, written assignments, and practice exercises.	10% of marking period grade
Assessments	This category includes long-term projects, short and long essays, tests, and culminating assessments.	30% of marking period grade
Quizzes	Pop quizzes or scheduled quizzes on literature, writing, or other topics that coincide with the curriculum.	10% of marking period grade
Participation	Students will be expected to participate in class discussions, help with classroom management and be on task	10% of marking period grade

Tests

Each unit will end with a formal assessment. 

Essays

All formal writing assignments should be in MLA (Modern Language Association) Format.  Essays submitted that are not in MLA format, or have formatting errors, will receive a zero.  Please refer to the M.E.T.S Writing Guide for MLA instructions and examples.