Classroom policy and expectations
Welcome to eighth grade! You must be excited to be finishing middle school, about to enter high school. It is my goal to make this class memorable, purposeful, and as relevant to you as possible. In 8th grade English, you will be finalizing some basics skills needed to prepare for high school, such as research skills and general grammar. It will also be a time to enhance prior knowledge in public speaking, literature and composition. You will have the opportunity to interview a professional and explore career opportunities; use technology to create podcasts, movies, writings which represent your analysis of a reading; discover different points of view about current topical issues in the media; and take a stand on a subject explaining the benefits of how society should change. . May your curiosity be peaked and inspire you to learn more as we move through the year. This is a brief overview of my expectations to successfully complete 8th grade Literature and Composition.
Contact Information
Pinnacle: Use this email to message me with questions, project assignments, attachments to homework
GoogleClassroom: If I assign work for GoogleClassroom, you may share it with me in this medium. Please note, you may also message me through Google Classroom with question or concerns.
Remind101: This is a notification app that I use if I want to send the class a last minute reminder or update. Again, phone numbers are private, but you will receive a text on your phone that states a piece of information.
In class: Please see me in class at appropriate times to discuss any questions you have. Appropriate times would be before class, during breaks, or after school.
Pinnacle: Use this email to message me with questions, project assignments, attachments to homework
GoogleClassroom: If I assign work for GoogleClassroom, you may share it with me in this medium. Please note, you may also message me through Google Classroom with question or concerns.
Remind101: This is a notification app that I use if I want to send the class a last minute reminder or update. Again, phone numbers are private, but you will receive a text on your phone that states a piece of information.
In class: Please see me in class at appropriate times to discuss any questions you have. Appropriate times would be before class, during breaks, or after school.
THE 4 C'S: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking
Our class mission this year will be focusing on the 4 C's. The goal is to prepare you for the 21st century in colleges and careers outside of public education. Everyday we will do activities and lessons that help build these skills.
1. Communication: to articulate clear effective ideas in diverse environments
2. Collaboration: to share work effectively and offer contributions as a member of a team
3. Creativity: to use a wide range of techniques and ideas as well as be open to diverse perspectives with problem solving
4. Critical Thinking: to reason effectively through ideas, interpret and draw conclusions about information, and solve unfamiliar problems based on analysis.
Our class mission this year will be focusing on the 4 C's. The goal is to prepare you for the 21st century in colleges and careers outside of public education. Everyday we will do activities and lessons that help build these skills.
1. Communication: to articulate clear effective ideas in diverse environments
2. Collaboration: to share work effectively and offer contributions as a member of a team
3. Creativity: to use a wide range of techniques and ideas as well as be open to diverse perspectives with problem solving
4. Critical Thinking: to reason effectively through ideas, interpret and draw conclusions about information, and solve unfamiliar problems based on analysis.
ORGANIZATION
The four elements for success in this class are completion, presentation, organization, and communication. Because you will be going to high school next year, it is my focus to teach you these final skills you need to succeed. We will be talking about this throughout the year and your grade will be based on these elements. 1) Completion: finish all assignments to the specified instructions. 2) Presentation: all work needs to be legible, labeled correctly and polished. 3) Organization: We are an AVID school. We will work on binder organization. Scores will be given. 4) Communication: You will practice public speaking, informally as well as formally. You will also practice articulate discussion with your peers. It is important to communicate clearly as well as politely. |
GRADING
Grading is based on the rubric scale of 4-1. It is then divided into Standards: Citizenship, Effort, and English. You will see you your scores in Pinnacle based on those standards. Effort = Homework & Classwork: You will be learning and practicing skills so that you can master concepts and techniques. Your effort in class and at home will demonstrate effort in learning. Many assignments designed as practice will be scored with an Effort score. Standards = Projects, Essays, and Tests: After class lessons and several practices on a skill, you will be asked to demonstrate your mastery of the standard. Some projects and tests will focus on a few standards at a time. Your goal is to reach a score of 3 or 4 on the assessments. Citizenship = Participation & Preparedness: You should be ready to learn when you enter the classroom, which means have the proper books and supplies for learning. You also need to be ready to participate in discussions and collaborative learning. Following the speaking and listening rubric (below) will help you understand how to join the conversation. Test Make-ups If you are absent, you can make-up tests the following Tuesday or Friday during PRIDE. |
Speaking and Listening
Classroom Policy: Every day students will be communicating, articulating, and collaborating on academic subject matter. The students and I will be using this rubric to improve and score academic success in the classroom. Scores will be written into the project grade for Speaking and Listening Standard or under the citizenship grade, depending on the activity.
listening_and_speaking_rubric.docx | |
File Size: | 95 kb |
File Type: | docx |
HOMEWORK
Homework will be a part of your life. My goal is to only use homework in a meaningful way, which means it will be an extension of what we are learning. All assignments will be posted on my website the week before. Please keep abreast of work, especially if you have a busy schedule and limited time after school. **Late work is working below Effort Standard. It is too difficult to stay on top once you fall behind. Exceptions are those that have been absent. Do not rely on the missing assignments report in Pinnacle, as that shows items I have already graded, thus are past due.
Homework will be a part of your life. My goal is to only use homework in a meaningful way, which means it will be an extension of what we are learning. All assignments will be posted on my website the week before. Please keep abreast of work, especially if you have a busy schedule and limited time after school. **Late work is working below Effort Standard. It is too difficult to stay on top once you fall behind. Exceptions are those that have been absent. Do not rely on the missing assignments report in Pinnacle, as that shows items I have already graded, thus are past due.
ABSENCES & LATE WORK
Absences are discouraged. If you are not in the classroom, it is hard to learn. However, there are occasions where you may be sick or there is an emergency. If that is the case, you have some resources to find what is missed.
Late work is frowned upon. When an assignment is not completed on time, other assignments begin to get backlogged. It is very difficult to catch up at that point. There are circumstances where an assignment is not done on time. . **I will give 2 free passes a semester for late homework. Life happens and sometimes we just need some latitude in our work. The goal is to learn not to be overwhelmed. If a project comes in late, the grade will be dropped a full grade. If you are having difficulty, please see me early in the assignment so that your grade will not be impacted.
Absences are discouraged. If you are not in the classroom, it is hard to learn. However, there are occasions where you may be sick or there is an emergency. If that is the case, you have some resources to find what is missed.
- Check Weebly for assignments.
- Check Google Classroom
- Email me and/or your peer for assignments.
- REMEMBER: Turn in assignments when you return to school. Write ABSENT or LATE on paper.
Late work is frowned upon. When an assignment is not completed on time, other assignments begin to get backlogged. It is very difficult to catch up at that point. There are circumstances where an assignment is not done on time. . **I will give 2 free passes a semester for late homework. Life happens and sometimes we just need some latitude in our work. The goal is to learn not to be overwhelmed. If a project comes in late, the grade will be dropped a full grade. If you are having difficulty, please see me early in the assignment so that your grade will not be impacted.
CHROMEBOOKS
Chromebooks are a useful classroom tool. They can also be a hindrance to the classroom. Here is my policy for the use of technology.
1. You are to use your assigned number chromebook. You are to be gentle with it, as it is a fragile tool, meaning it sits flat on your desk and is carried closed-lid to and from your desk.
2. You may have your chromebook out on your desk where I can see it (on set days) and you may use it during specified activities and lessons.
3. You may use it as a source for research, projects, and basic dictionary matters.
4. You may NOT use it as a form of messaging friends or surfing the Internet (and other such off-task behaviors). Your Chromebooks are monitored and can be shut down if not being used as directed.
5. Chromebooks must be put away correctly in the cart at the end of the period..
If you can adhere to these responsibilities, your success in this class will be great. If you are caught using your chromebook inappropriately, I will start with asking you to close your tab or put the chromebook away. The second time, your chromebook will be put back in the cart until end of class and you will be assigned to do work on paper. If you repeat the behavior, I will speak to your parents about your conduct and you will lose the privilege of using technology until further notice.
Chromebooks are a useful classroom tool. They can also be a hindrance to the classroom. Here is my policy for the use of technology.
1. You are to use your assigned number chromebook. You are to be gentle with it, as it is a fragile tool, meaning it sits flat on your desk and is carried closed-lid to and from your desk.
2. You may have your chromebook out on your desk where I can see it (on set days) and you may use it during specified activities and lessons.
3. You may use it as a source for research, projects, and basic dictionary matters.
4. You may NOT use it as a form of messaging friends or surfing the Internet (and other such off-task behaviors). Your Chromebooks are monitored and can be shut down if not being used as directed.
5. Chromebooks must be put away correctly in the cart at the end of the period..
If you can adhere to these responsibilities, your success in this class will be great. If you are caught using your chromebook inappropriately, I will start with asking you to close your tab or put the chromebook away. The second time, your chromebook will be put back in the cart until end of class and you will be assigned to do work on paper. If you repeat the behavior, I will speak to your parents about your conduct and you will lose the privilege of using technology until further notice.
"Credit"
BY: Judith Viorst
You asked me to do it.
I promised to do it.
I planned to do it.
I started to do it.
I really meant to do it.
Except I forgot.
Couldn't I get some credit?
For promising,
Planning,
Starting,
And really meaning to do it?
Guess not.
BY: Judith Viorst
You asked me to do it.
I promised to do it.
I planned to do it.
I started to do it.
I really meant to do it.
Except I forgot.
Couldn't I get some credit?
For promising,
Planning,
Starting,
And really meaning to do it?
Guess not.