Welcome to English 8! The purpose of this course is to give students an overview of English and begin focusing on higher level skills that will assist students throughout their high school career and beyond. Year outline Below is a general outline of what we will be covering each quarter. Due to weather, school events, testing, etc., deadlines and material may need to be adjusted to ensure that material is covered and student needs are met. Quarter 1
Research paper
Quarter 2
Short stories – here is a tentative list of the short stories that will be covered in class. Please feel free to read any of the stories ahead of time and contact me with any questions.
Stories will be available both on the classroom website and Schoology for students to access.
After Twenty Years
All Summer in a Day
Henry Red Chief
Harrison Bergeron
The Most Dangerous Game
The Sniper
The Monkey’s Paw
To Build a Fire
The Treasure in the Forest
The Open Window
The Cask of Amontillado
Metamorphosis
Quarter 3
Novels – The Giver & Hunger Games do deal with dystopian topics or war, euthanasia, and other potentially sensitive topics. While the focus of each book is more on how students can make a positive impact in their world and the difference between dystopia and utopia, it is important that students/guardians are aware of the subject matter.
Anthem
Project
The Giver
Movie & Project
Hunger Games
Movie & Project
Quarter 4
Public Speaking
Demonstrative Speech
Informative Speech
Persuasive Speech
Year Long Projects/Assignments
Digital Book Talks (flipgrid website)
Vocabulary
Word of the Day (linked with vocabulary)
Grammar
Expectations Students are fully expected to follow all guidelines and expectations set forth by the KMS Student Handbook. This book will be reviewed periodically throughout the year as a reminder to all students what is expected of them. In addition to the KMS Student Handbook, the following expectations are pertinent to the success of this classroom.
Students will arrive to class on time. This is essential as many of our activities are group based and/or presentation based. Failure to respect the time of your peers has a direct impact on their success. Chronic failure to arrive to class on time, or to class without a pass, will result in disciplinary action. This also includes the need to continuously return to the student’s locker to retrieve forgotten materials.
Students are expected to be aware of and follow deadlines. If there is an unavoidable situation that prevents the completion of an assignment, it is up to the student to discuss potential options with me. Failure to complete work will result in a lowered grade. Students who are absent due to excused absence are required to schedule time to make up missed work within 2 class periods of returning.
Students who are aware of a test/project/quiz/assignment BEFORE an absence and return on the day that the assignment is due are expected to complete the work in class as originally assigned unless alternative arraignments have been made with me
Cellphones and other digital devices are not permitted in the classroom for general usage. There will be a location where phones and electronic devices will be kept during the hour. If students opt not to place their devices in the designated area and are caught using it and/or it causes a distraction, the device will be confiscated and taken to the office. Students will then have parents notified of the issue and will be assigned detention. If students are allowed to use electronic devices (either their own or the schools), they will receive prior notice. Any students not using the technology for the assigned task will have the device taken and detention assigned.
No food/water in the classroom unless prior permission is given by administration/school nurse. No exceptions.
Because Language Arts is heaving in discussion and in-class work, it is essential that when in class, students will actively participate in learning by taking notes, studying and completing all assignments, and reading all assigned material prior to class.
Students are expected to communicate with the instructor regarding any academic issues (general understanding, deadlines, grading, etc.)
Respect – bullying and/or teasing is not acceptable and there will be zero tolerance for such behavior in the classroom.
Responsible – you are expected to take responsibility for your actions. If you made a mistake and own up to it, we can work together to solve the problem. Excuses are not accepted.
Safe – students will be expected to behave in a manner that is safe for both themselves and others. Throwing objects, running, sitting on top of desks, etc. is not acceptable.
Grading Scale A: 100-94% A-: 93-90% B+: 89-87% B: 86-83% B-: 82-80% C+: 79-77% C: 76-73% C-: 72-70% D+: 69-67% D: 66-63% D-: 62-60% F: 59-0% Participation Each student is expected to participate in all class assignments. If students or guardians are uncomfortable with material being covered in class, alternative assignments are available. If alternative assignments are necessary, prior arrangements need to be made to ensure that acceptable material is available to prevent students from falling behind. In regards to novels where we also watch a movie as part of the unit, students do have the option to opt out of the movie or to step out during scenes that may make them uncomfortable. If this is the case, it is extremely important that students/guardians communicate with the teacher to ensure that alternative material is available if necessary.
Late Work/Missing Work Students will be given deadlines to assignments, along with explicit instructions for successful completion. Failure to complete an assignment by the deadline, without prior approval from the teacher, will result in a 10% per day reduction in the final score. Students will be required to complete ALL assignments, even if the reduction of points results in a failing score. Not completing assignments and “gambling” on a passing score with a missing assignment is not acceptable. All small assignments due during class will need to be turned in at the time of collection to receive full credit. This generally means at the beginning of the hour unless otherwise indicated. Students who do not turn in their assignment will be expected to fill out a Yellow Form, located at the front of the classroom. Large assignments (papers, projects, etc.) that are not presented in class will need to be turned in by 3:30 pm on the due date to receive full credit if submitted via hard copy (by hand) or 11:59pm if submitted electronically via approved channels as discussed in class. Students who do not turn in their assignment will be expected to fill out a Yellow Form when they return to class the next day. Students who are absent (excused) will be expected meet with me upon return to receive missing assignments. Students will have up to 1 week to turn in any missing work without penalty unless an alternative plan is developed with the teacher.
Contact me Email: jdebaere@kms.k12.mn.us Phone: 320-264-1944 Twitter: @kms_commarts Website: kmsclassroomconnection.com