Language Arts
Syllabus
Course Description
Language
Arts in 8th grade is driven by the English Language Arts Common Core
Curriculum which can be accessed on the Delaware Department of Education
website. This course will consist of challenging levels of thinking, reading,
writing and speaking. It includes many forms of writing, genres of literature,
presentation, media, poetry and technology.
Supplies
v
Pencils –
always have 5 sharpened pencils ready to go
v
Blue or
black ink pens for class
v
Highlighters
– at least two or three colors
v
Composition
book (black and white cover or equivalent)
v
Loose leaf
paper- have at least 50 clean pages with you for class
v
Binder for
handouts
v
Hand-held
pencil sharpener
v
Agenda book
v
Plastic page
protectors, have 20 available for use
v
If possible
a thumb drive or flash drive to save work from class to home
v
Earbuds or
earphones to plug into the computer
v
Dictionary to be kept
at home for assignments
v
2 boxes of tissues – send into homeroom teacher
v
Germex for hand washing without soap and water
Classroom Expectations
Rule – Keep a positive and productive learning environment. Student will
respect themselves, the teachers, each other and property.
Students are expected to work with each other, share writing, peer edit,
and participate in classroom activities. Students will be held to high
standards. Taking writing and thinking to high levels involves analysis, review,
critical thinking and much revision.
Willingness to persevere will be rewarded.
Students are expected to treat the computers with respect and care at
all times. See Computer Use Agreement.
Consequences
Students are expected to follow the Mariner Middle and Cape Henlopen
School District code of conduct. Classroom consequences will include verbal
warning, teacher/student conference. If the problem persists then time out, and
office referral will follow.
Procedures and Policies
1.
Writing and
reading is graded according to a rubric using points. Major writing/reading
projects will be worth 300 points. The
written drafts, revisions and editing will earn additional points, usually 100
points each. Example: on any major writing/reading project you may earn 100
points for draft, 100 points for revisions, 100 points for editing and then 300
points for the final published piece.
Important point: save all of your work in your file on the network.
2.
Homework -
read for 30 minutes, five nights a week.
That equals 2.5 hours of reading a week. Plan your time to be able to
accomplish this assignment. Other homework assignments are on the board daily
and are to be written in the agenda.
Completed assignments showing effort will receive points toward a
homework grade every marking period.
3.
It is
requested that all assignments be typed, font Arial, 14 point, except where
noted. If you work at home save all of
your work on your hard drive or upload it to Google Documents. You may bring in
a flash with work on it to transfer to your file at school.
4.
Students
will create a Gmail account for use in LA/school this year. This will have
blogs attached.
5.
Word work-
parts of speech, usage, vocabulary, and idioms and will be part of the language
arts lessons. Students are responsible
for definitions, usage and spelling.
6.
Reading the
newspaper, non-fiction writings and accessing the news media through Internet
will be a priority. They will be available in class, on line. Written responses and analysis from current
events articles and programs will count toward the marking period grade.
7.
Reading
Requirements – Each student will read 12 or more books this year both fiction
and non-fiction. You will earn Accelerated Reading, AR points by taking a test
on each book that you read. Determine
your own goal for AR reading points each marking period. Rewards for reaching
certain Point Clubs: 25 point club, 50 point club. You may read books that you like that are in your reading range based on your latest STAR
tests. You will read at least 3 books per grading period and write book reviews
on some of these books. Read at home
every night and bring your book to class every day for SSR.
8.
Please keep
all handouts in your 3-ring binder. Keep
your writing and notes in your writing notebook.
9.
Students are
to check their grades and assignments online and make up the work in a timely
manner. Let Ms. Albanese know if you need to make up work. If a student has one day excused absence, that
student has one extra day to make up missed work including homework, test,
and/or quiz. For an unexcused absence,
missed assignments may not be made up and receive a zero. A missed test must be made up within 5
days. Extended excused absences will receive
special completion due dates. Late work
will not be accepted.
10. Use the restroom before/after class or before lunch
or during Exploratories. No restroom during class.
11. Use please and thank you. Be helpful in class. Find
something positive to say! The
classroom is your home. Be respectful of each other and the teacher.
A Special Note to Parents and Caregivers,
This marks my 36th year teaching! I am delighted to be teaching students at the
eighth grade level! I have a love of
children, language, writing, technology and reading. These all merge to allow me the privilege of
being your child’s language arts teacher at Mariner Middle.
If you wish to contact me there are now many ways!
Call the school at any time and leave a message on my voice mail. Email me or write a note in your child’s
agenda. I will make every effort to call
you back or contact you as soon as possible. Please leave your number, cell
phone or other when you call.
This year we will be blogging to increase
communication and other kinds of web sites to extend learning. The students
will also be engaged in a research project.
I hope that you can get regular access to a computer and join in the conversation
on my blog and eventually on your son or daughter’s blog. You can check your
child’s grades on-line at all times on e-School Plus. I encourage you to check
on grades often, at least once a week.
Every student will be given a free, working email address to be used for
class work, communication and collaboration.
Writing and reading are processes that your child
needs to experience. Not all finished
pieces will be word perfect but this gives us clues as to what is needed in
terms of instruction. Please allow your
eighth graders to write on their own. You may read and make editing suggestions
at the end but do not alter the content.
I have a huge favor to ask. Please see to it that
your child has quiet reading time for homework each night. My goal is for each
child to read at least18 books this year, successfully take AR tests and kindle
a love of literature. Talk to your child about the books they read and make
reading a part of your family practice.
See you at the Open House. Thank you in advance for
your support!
Celebrate words!
Let’s have a great year!
Diane
Saienni Albanese, NBCT
Parent Information Form – LA
Please fill
out the information below and return it to Ms. Albanese by Friday.
Student Name
________________________________________________________
LA Core
_______
Parent/Guardian(s)
Name(s)
________________________________________________________________________
home phone ________________________________________
home phone ________________________________________
Cell
phone(s) __________________________________________________________
Email
address ___________________________________________________________
Best time to
call _________________________________________________________
Mailing
address _________________________________________________________
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