Welcome to Grade 8 English Language Arts Block

Welcome to Grade 8 English Language Arts Block 7/8 Leah Layton llayton@marad. org Google Classroom Code Block 7/8: m 3 mz 2 mc 732 -705 -5400 2020 -2021

Course Overview Welcome to Eighth Grade English Language Arts! ELA covers reading, writing, language, speaking, and listening skills. Through rigorous academic units, students will learn skills for both reading and writing in the following areas: ● ● ● Narrative Fiction Literary Analysis Comparing Informational Texts Argument/Research Poetry Drama Students will explore literature by using various strategies (i. e. , questioning, summarizing, clarifying, analyzing, etc. ); when writing, students will plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish. Speaking skills will be enhanced through whole-class and small-group discussions, speeches, and debates.

Course Objectives By the end of the year, students will be able to: ● read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of grades 6 -8 text complexity band independently and proficiently ● read and comprehend literary nonfiction at the high end of the grades 6 -8 text complexity band independently and proficiently ● write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences ● demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and mechanics ● acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression ● engage effectively in a variety of collaborative discussions

Logistics: What You Can Expect Each Week Synchronous Google Meet sessions will take place every day at the start of your ELA course. Google Meets Are Daily This means that everyday at the start of your ELA course, you are expected to be present at our class’s Google Meet session. For now, our class’s session will be held during your scheduled time below: Block ● Block 1/2: 8: 38 am - 9: 28 am ● Block 5/6: 10: 26 am - 11: 16 am ● Block 7/8: 11: 20 am - 12: 10 pm Every Google Meet can be accessed on Google Classroom. Every Google Meet for our Block 7/8 LA Class can be accessed using this link: https: //meet. google. com/lookup/dsid 4 hkiys Attendance Policy Attendance will be taken during advisory, as well as at the beginning of each class and Google Meet. Please refer to the MAMS Student Handbook for school attendance policies. Assignments will be due by 11: 59 pm on the date they are assigned , unless specified otherwise, as per lesson directions. Assignment You must click “turn in” on Google Classroom assignments in order for your teacher to grade

ELA Course Communication If you have a concern about an assignment on Google Classroom, you have two ways to ask your questions: Questions about Google Classroom Assignments 1. 2. You can leave a private comment on the assignment post. Only your teacher will see this. Your teacher will receive a notification, and reply back. Only you will see the teacher’s reply. Leave a class comment on the assignment post. Other students can see your comment, and they can reply back. Your teacher can also reply to your comment as well, which can be publicly seen. If you have any other concerns or questions unrelated to a specific assignment: Other Questions, Concerns, or Thoughts Write your teacher an email. When writing an email, please make the subject line specific. For example, if you have a concern about being unable to attend the Google Meet, make the subject of your email the following: ● Example subject line: Google Meet Absence 9/14 Note: It may take up to 24 hours to receive a reply on weekdays, and weekend communication will be addressed on Monday.

Grading Policy Students will be graded using the following breakdown: ● Writing Pieces / Tests / Projects - 50% ● Quizzes / Daily Assignments - 35% ● Reflections / Participation- 15% Assignments will be due by 11: 59 pm on the date they are assigned , unless specified otherwise, as per lesson directions. Any extenuating circumstances should be discussed with your teacher prior to the assignment’s due date.

Participation Expectations Class participation is a necessary component of student learning. When students engage with their classmates and teacher(s) in a meaningful way, they learn to better formulate and communicate their thoughts. When students ask questions, they are taking ownership of their learning by acknowledging a need for further understanding, and in doing so are strengthening their listening and critical thinking skills. Students are expected to participate in each scheduled class meeting by arriving on time, being prepared, and engaging in class discussions. All students will receive a participation grade at the conclusion of each marking period, using the rubric found below. Additionally, students are encouraged to track their own participation as a means to self-assess their engagement with the class and teacher. Please review the following attachments for more information. ● Participation Rubric

Writing Policies For formal assignments, be sure to use MLA Format. Double-space your work, and use size 12, Times New Roman font (unless instructed otherwise). Include a header with your name, teacher, course/block, and due date. Plagiarism will not be tolerated on any assignment, period. Plagiarism involves using someone else's words or ideas and passing them off as your own by not providing credit. Plagiarism can include: ● Taking and using information or ideas, in part or whole, from a published source without giving credit to that source ● Taking information or ideas from another student in part or whole and using it in your own assignment (whether it be word-for-word or slightly altered) ● Providing assignment responses to others who use the work for themselves Consequences for Plagiarism: ● First Offense: Student(s) will be given an alternate assignment in order to regain credit for the plagiarized assignment. Parent or Guardian will be contacted. ● Second and Subsequent Offenses: Student will receive a zero on the assignment in question. Parent or Guardian will be contacted.

Other Information ● MAMS Student Handbook (Contains MAMS Code of Conduct)