Welcome to 8th Grade English Class!

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• Students will learn and practice applying elements of grammar.

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• Students will practice writing for different tasks, purposes, and audiences. 

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• Students will be exposed to different forms of writing examples for various tasks and purposes.

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• Students will also practice writing through small research assignments and creative journal writing.

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• Oral language and communicating skills will also be emphasized.

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• 8th Graders will have opportunities to utilize technology in the classroom through our school laptops, the Criterion writing program, and through the SmartBoard.  

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• 8th Grade will have greater emphasis on multi-paragraph text/writing papers and larger research assignments with focus on organization, structure, audience, and the various writing conventions to prepare for high school academic writing.  

 

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Grades

Grading will be based on diocesan standards. Grading is broken down into the following categories:

-Assessments/Quizzes: advanced notification given for short quizzes, vocabulary, and chapter tests

-Projects/English Papers: assigned during each quarter and students given significant class time and assigned partners when applicable

-Homework: assigned time provided during class and then finished for homework, if necessary, a couple of times a week

-Participation/Classwork/Writing Journals: class binder, short classroom exercises, and creative writing

 

Please check grades weekly on OptionC to monitor student progress.  You can get your username and password from the school office if you do not have one.  The class grading scale follows the school grading scale, which is posted on OptionC.

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Grading Scale:

100-93: A

92-85: B

84-75: C

74-69: D

69 & below: E

 

Daily Supplies

Students are expected to come to class prepared with their textbook, #2 pencils sharpened, and a 1” wide binder with binder tabs  for handouts and note-taking.  Below is the list of supplies to assist with classroom learning and exercises.

 

Supplies Needed for classes:

Students are expected to come to class prepared with their textbook, Chromebook, #2 lead/pencils sharpened, and binder with binder tabs for handouts and note-taking.  Below is the list of supplies to assist with classroom learning and exercises.  1-subject notebook will stay in homeroom.  

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Required- 1 subject notebook as student's Writing Journal

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Classroom Procedures & Expectations

Students are expected to come to class prepared with their school supplies, textbooks, and to be seated and ready to work.  Students should have all necessary materials and homework, if applicable, ready for class, including their planners/Google Calendar, everyday.  

A social studies note packet is provided to students for each section of the chapter to complete with the teacher/partners during classroom time to enhance understanding.  Note packets are a great way to review for understanding and test preparation.  

The class structure will consist of active text reading as a whole class and in small groups, with technology integrated in the form of short films/visuals, application exercises, questions/exercises completed independently or in collaborative groups, and activities/projects utilized where applicable to enhance learning throughout each quarter.  Any additional expectations or homework are reviewed prior to the end of class for students to understand what is expected of them.  

 

Class Textbook & Curriculum

English Textbook: Voyages in English

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics

• ​Chapter 1: Nouns

• Chapter 2: Adjectives 

• Chapter 3: Pronouns

• Chapter 4: Verbs

• Chapter 5: Verbals

• Chapter 6: Adverbs

• Chapter 7: Prepositions

• Chapter 8: Sentences

• Chapter 9: Conjunctions and Interjections

• Chapter 10: Punctuation  and Capitalization

• Chapter 11: Diagramming

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Essential Writing Skills/Writing Workshops

•   Building Sentences and Organizing Paragraphs

• Expanding on the Compositions Process 

• Editing & revising w/peer review process

• Style and Effective Language

• Short Story Writing

• Character/Biographical Writing 

• Refining the Research Report and citing sources within text using multiple sources

• Listening and Speaking - Oral Presentations Skills

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IXL: ixl.com

IXL is a digital program where students can master social studies content area skills, prepare for tests, and apply knowledge learned in the classroom.

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English Criterion Writing

"The Criterion® Online Writing Evaluation service from ETS is a web-based instructional writing tool that helps students, plan, write and revise their essays guided by instant diagnostic feedback and a Criterion score" (Criterion, 2019).

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Website: (Copy and paste to browser)

https://criterion.ets.org/criterion/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fcriterion

 

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Technology

Technology is integrated in the form of Google Classroom, the SmartBoard usage, videos, films, application exercises, and the social studies online textbook with resources for students.  Students will be exposed to the online textbook that corresponds with their book during class. However, students are encouraged to use this excellent resource outside of class for reviewing and test preparations.

 

Students can use the audio from the social studies online text to have it read to them, with games and visuals available to enhance understanding.  Students will be given a username and password at the start of the school year to access required materials.  Students will not be expected to complete assignments on their online social studies account at this time.  

 

Students will also have technology exposure in English class through the use of Google Classroom features, school Chromebook, and  the SmartBoard to use for assignments,  practice writing applications, and exercises learned in class.  Students must follow class rules and school code of conduct when utilizing school technology and school resources.  Technology not used in accordance with school,classroom, and Diocesan Memo of Understanding policies will result in school discipline.

 

*OLOF is proud to offer a 1-to-1 student Chromebook initiative for grades 6-8.  Student Google Classroom assignments are integrated when/where applicable.  Students are still expected to submit hard copy and digital copies of assignments and projects to assess and monitor progress.  Chromebook usage must be in compliance with teacher instruction and OLOF technology and Student Code of Conduct (Technology Addendum) as outlined in the handbook and agreement forms for students and parents.  Teachers and Administration of OLOF have the discretion to take away Chromebook privileges at any time.*  

 

English Homework Guidelines

Homework is provided to reinforce the concepts students learned that day.  Homework will be given regularly, but not necessarily daily.  Most assignments begin in class with guidance available and then students are asked to complete the rest for homework.  Students are given class time and opportunities to work with partners unless otherwise stated.  All homework and important assignment dates are reviewed and will be listed on the board/Google Classroom to allow students to understand what is expected of them in advance.  Students must write their assignments in the planners given to them by the school or one personally purchased.  

 

 **Please check planners/Google Classroom Calendar daily.**  Homework is not listed on my teacher webpage, but on the board daily/Google Classroom, and is the responsibility of the students to keep track of each class day.  Students are encouraged to speak with the teacher as soon as possible if they have questions or concerns about specific assignments.

 

Missed/late/incomplete assignments will hinder a student’s grades.  Students will not receive full credit for missed/late/incomplete assignments.  Students are graded for homework completion, but not correctness, unless stated otherwise for specific assignments or longer assignments.  Homework assigned is reviewed during the next class to enhance understanding and clarify ideas.  Students will only receive homework credit for all items of completed work attempted and submitted on-time, with the assigned expectations met.  Partial credit for some homework done will not be given.  Homework is generally worth 3 points when assigned, unless otherwise stated for longer assignments.  Study guides are worth more credit and students are given additional class time/day(s) to complete.  Incomplete study guides for review day result in staying in from recess to review concepts prior to the test day.  Students should make every attempt to complete all aspects of the assigned study guide.  

 

English papers will be assigned during the course of each quarter.  Students will be given instruction on specific formatting and skills required to complete different assignments.  There will be ample notice, classroom time, and clear objectives for students to complete each project and to ask questions.  Students are strongly encouraged not to wait until the last minute to complete the English writing assignments.  Students will receive points deducted from their grade for submitting late papers.  Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in consequences in accordance with Our Lady of Fatima Parent/Student Handbook.  

 

Students must make every attempt to try and complete their work in a timely manner.  Please use planners/agendas/Google Calendar to stay organized with classroom assignments and expectations.  Students are encouraged to check OptionC regularly to monitor their own grades and make-up work.  Please check with the teacher for extension requests for absentee make-up work.