Eighth Grade English Syllabus
Ms. Schwitz - Room 505
Phone/Voicemail: 574-254-3639
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.schwitz.weebly.com
English Course Description
The focus of this course is to prepare students to extend their skills in written and spoken language, as well as, to prepare students to draw upon their literary knowledge of fiction and nonfiction texts based on the Indiana State Standards. Experiences with a variety of texts, writing for various purposes, vocabulary development, and oral communication correlate to provide students with opportunities to understand themselves and others.
English Course Goals and Objectives
Writing Skills: Students will compose daily documents for different purposes in a variety of genres as required by the Indiana State Standards.
Speaking Skills: The delivery of formal presentations will be well organized, focused, and clearly articulated. Students will also practice speaking skills through a variety of informal classroom activities.
Reading Skills: Students will use critical thinking and natural inquiry in fiction and nonfiction texts. Students will study specific texts such as novels, short stories, informative articles, autobiographical/biographical accounts, and poetry. The use of content-area textbooks will also be included in instruction.
Vocabulary: Vocabulary development will be based on class texts and novels.
Units of Study
First Grading Period: The Writing Process and Literary Elements
Second Grading Period: Argumentative Writing and Coming of Age
Third Grading Period: Informative Writing and Heroes
Fourth Grading Period: Writer’s Workshop and Overcoming Odds/Adversity
Required Texts
Holt Elements of Literature textbook
Holt Elements of Language textbook (this is kept in the classroom)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Novel that will be handed out as we read them
Silent Reading Book of Choice
Honors Students will have an array of novels to read including: Chains, Johnny Tremain, The Diary of Anne Frank, and A Lesson Before Dying
JYMS Grading Policy
100-98 = A+
97.9-92 = A
91.9-90 = A-
89.9-88 = B+
87.0-82 = B
81.9-80 = B-
79.9-78 = C+
77.9-72 = C
71.9- 70 = C-
69.9-68 = D+
67.9-62 = D
61.9-60 = D-
59.9- Below = F
Your term grades will be determined according to the following:
Homework/Classwork 20%
Quizzes 30%
Tests/Essays/Projects 50%
MLA Format
MLA format is one of the most commonly used structures for organizing papers in academic writing. ALL work, formal and in-class/informal work will be completed in MLA format. When writing in MLA format, keep a few things in mind: MLA format is ALWAYS “Times New Roman”, 12 point font, and the paper is to be entirely double (2.0) spaced. If a title is necessary, it is to abide by the same font format and be centered below the heading. A proper MLA heading is to go in the upper left hand corner of the paper (Both in print and electronic format). A proper MLA formatted heading looks like this:
John Doe (Your Name)
Ms. Schwitz (Teacher Name)
English 3 (Class & Period)
August 18, 2014 (Date: Month, Day, Year)
For more information or clarification, please visit: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
Remind 101
Remind101 is a FREE and SAFE way for teachers to text message students and stay in touch with parents. Safety is a primary feature: teachers never see students/parents phone numbers, nor will students/parents see theirs. Remind101 will be used to remind students/parents of upcoming due dates, tests, projects, and classroom announcements. Please check my website for your student’s Remind101 sign up information.
Homework, Late & Missing Work Policy
Everyone will work very hard while in class to complete activities. However, when I do assign work, these are my policies:
Required Material
Please make sure students have the following for class EVERY DAY:
1. Pencils and/or Pens (pens should be blue/black ink only)
2. Paper (A notebook, folder, or binder devoted solely to English.) As logical as it may seem, no paper equates no work.
3. Agenda (Provided by JYMS and MUST be filled out DAILY).
5. Textbook and Silent Reading Book.
Classroom Rules and Expectations
While I do not anticipate any behavioral disruptions, I do expect a few things of all students:
If you CHOOSE not to follow these expectations:
Ms. Schwitz - Room 505
Phone/Voicemail: 574-254-3639
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.schwitz.weebly.com
English Course Description
The focus of this course is to prepare students to extend their skills in written and spoken language, as well as, to prepare students to draw upon their literary knowledge of fiction and nonfiction texts based on the Indiana State Standards. Experiences with a variety of texts, writing for various purposes, vocabulary development, and oral communication correlate to provide students with opportunities to understand themselves and others.
English Course Goals and Objectives
Writing Skills: Students will compose daily documents for different purposes in a variety of genres as required by the Indiana State Standards.
Speaking Skills: The delivery of formal presentations will be well organized, focused, and clearly articulated. Students will also practice speaking skills through a variety of informal classroom activities.
Reading Skills: Students will use critical thinking and natural inquiry in fiction and nonfiction texts. Students will study specific texts such as novels, short stories, informative articles, autobiographical/biographical accounts, and poetry. The use of content-area textbooks will also be included in instruction.
Vocabulary: Vocabulary development will be based on class texts and novels.
Units of Study
First Grading Period: The Writing Process and Literary Elements
Second Grading Period: Argumentative Writing and Coming of Age
Third Grading Period: Informative Writing and Heroes
Fourth Grading Period: Writer’s Workshop and Overcoming Odds/Adversity
Required Texts
Holt Elements of Literature textbook
Holt Elements of Language textbook (this is kept in the classroom)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Novel that will be handed out as we read them
Silent Reading Book of Choice
Honors Students will have an array of novels to read including: Chains, Johnny Tremain, The Diary of Anne Frank, and A Lesson Before Dying
JYMS Grading Policy
100-98 = A+
97.9-92 = A
91.9-90 = A-
89.9-88 = B+
87.0-82 = B
81.9-80 = B-
79.9-78 = C+
77.9-72 = C
71.9- 70 = C-
69.9-68 = D+
67.9-62 = D
61.9-60 = D-
59.9- Below = F
Your term grades will be determined according to the following:
Homework/Classwork 20%
Quizzes 30%
Tests/Essays/Projects 50%
MLA Format
MLA format is one of the most commonly used structures for organizing papers in academic writing. ALL work, formal and in-class/informal work will be completed in MLA format. When writing in MLA format, keep a few things in mind: MLA format is ALWAYS “Times New Roman”, 12 point font, and the paper is to be entirely double (2.0) spaced. If a title is necessary, it is to abide by the same font format and be centered below the heading. A proper MLA heading is to go in the upper left hand corner of the paper (Both in print and electronic format). A proper MLA formatted heading looks like this:
John Doe (Your Name)
Ms. Schwitz (Teacher Name)
English 3 (Class & Period)
August 18, 2014 (Date: Month, Day, Year)
For more information or clarification, please visit: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
Remind 101
Remind101 is a FREE and SAFE way for teachers to text message students and stay in touch with parents. Safety is a primary feature: teachers never see students/parents phone numbers, nor will students/parents see theirs. Remind101 will be used to remind students/parents of upcoming due dates, tests, projects, and classroom announcements. Please check my website for your student’s Remind101 sign up information.
Homework, Late & Missing Work Policy
Everyone will work very hard while in class to complete activities. However, when I do assign work, these are my policies:
- Students will receive no penalty if homework is turned in on time.
- Students will have the opportunity to complete a missing/late assignment for a 20% deduction.
- Any student who is absent will be allowed the same number of days to complete all missing work. As I focus on equipping each student with life skills to be successful outside of the classroom, it is necessary that students take the initiative to seek missed work on their own. I will have each daily agenda with any homework or handouts provided for that day available on the website.
- Should the situation arise that a student does not have his/her work completed after a reasonable amount of time,, he/she will be required to have a missing assignment sheet signed by a parent/guardian. I hope this endeavor will keep students accountable and responsible, but also keep an open line of communication as these situations arise.
- Lastly, I recognize that “life happens” and with a conversation BEFORE the assignment is due, I am more than willing to do my best to accommodate special situations.
Required Material
Please make sure students have the following for class EVERY DAY:
1. Pencils and/or Pens (pens should be blue/black ink only)
2. Paper (A notebook, folder, or binder devoted solely to English.) As logical as it may seem, no paper equates no work.
3. Agenda (Provided by JYMS and MUST be filled out DAILY).
5. Textbook and Silent Reading Book.
Classroom Rules and Expectations
While I do not anticipate any behavioral disruptions, I do expect a few things of all students:
- Come to class prepared and have all necessary materials at your desk before the bell rings.
- Be in your seat AND working on DOL or Reading before/by time bell rings.
- Active listening to not only hear and understand the directions, but to do them correctly the first time.
- Accept responsibility for actions and potential outcomes.
- SHOW RESPECT: to teachers, to classmates/peers, and to yourself!
If you CHOOSE not to follow these expectations:
- First Time: Verbal warning
- Second Time: Contact home
- Third Time: Contact home
- Fourth Time: Written referral and Visit to administration