8TH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS SYLLABUS
MS. OLIVER
BLUESTEM JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL
Course Objectives: This course is designed to explore, practice, and better perfect the skills of students in the following areas: reading and understanding literary works (poetry, short stories, novels, plays, informational, etc.); writing, both formal and informal; speaking and listening skills, including reading aloud and presenting to the class. Written and oral responses to major works are a significant part of the course. Students begin to study complex psychological, philosophical, and moral themes in literature. In their reports, research essays, and oral presentations, students draw on multiple sources, including literary, informational, and multimedia texts. In class discussions and literary responses, students pay close attention to figurative language and its effects. By the end of eighth grade, students should have a rich background in literature and literary nonfiction. They are ready for the rigors of high school.
Grading Scale: A 90-100%; B 80-89%; C 70-79%; D 69-60%; F below 60%
Late Policy: Any schoolwork that is turned in late will be reduced by 20%. Whether it is a day late, a week late, or a month late, the maximum credit the student can earn on each late assignment is 80%.
The student will be allowed to turn in schoolwork until the end of the nine weeks. After the nine weeks, no work from that nine weeks will be accepted and the student will receive a zero for any assignments that have not been turned in.
*When you return to class after any absence, it is your responsibility to check with me for any and all missed work.
All work missed due to an absence should be made up within one day (24 hours) after returning to school or class. After extended absences, students will be allowed one day (24 hours) per day of absence to turn in work without it being late.
Ex. If a student is absent for two days = that student will have two school days (48 hours) to complete work for full credit.
Method of Evaluation: Essays; tests, projects and/or presentations; daily work; quizzes; class participation/discussion; and final are used to determine grades. (90% of your semester grade)
Professionalism: Professionalism is how you show respect for and contribute to the learning experience. You begin each semester with 100% of your professional points. You will start each semester with 200 points--these points are based on class preparation, participation, homework completion, work ethic, and prompt class arrival. You can lose a maximum of three points a day. (10% of your semester grade)
Classroom Materials: Please bring the following items EVERY day--
Pencil, paper, iPad, library book.
Standard Procedure: I expect you to be seated and ready to learn when the bell rings. Upon arrival into the classroom, you will quietly find your seat and begin bell work. Your bell work will be on the board and consists of journal writing, grammar, and/or vocabulary.
THE RULE: All you need to remember is one word—RESPECT. Respect yourself and other people. We all have the right to be treated with respect—treat all others as you would like to be treated. IT IS THAT SIMPLE.
Other School Rules:
1. Food or drinks are not permitted outside the commons.
2. Cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, etc. must remain turned off/silent during class unless used directly with the lesson. Failure to do so will result in the device being taken away by the teacher and given to the office.
3. Students who wish to leave the room for any reason must sign out and properly display their hall pass at all times.
Discipline: Your behavior should clearly express the fact that you are in middle school. You are responsible for your own behavior and it is your choice to follow the rules or break them. If you choose to break the rules there will be consequences as stated in your student agenda. You do not have the right to interrupt my teaching, stop anybody else from learning, or waste everyone’s time with disruptive behavior. Hint: make it easy on yourself and simply follow the rules!
ALL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES FROM THE BLUESTEM STUDENT HANDBOOK WILL BE ENFORCED
I am here to help you succeed so please do not be afraid to ask questions. This is going to be a great year!
MS. OLIVER
BLUESTEM JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL
Course Objectives: This course is designed to explore, practice, and better perfect the skills of students in the following areas: reading and understanding literary works (poetry, short stories, novels, plays, informational, etc.); writing, both formal and informal; speaking and listening skills, including reading aloud and presenting to the class. Written and oral responses to major works are a significant part of the course. Students begin to study complex psychological, philosophical, and moral themes in literature. In their reports, research essays, and oral presentations, students draw on multiple sources, including literary, informational, and multimedia texts. In class discussions and literary responses, students pay close attention to figurative language and its effects. By the end of eighth grade, students should have a rich background in literature and literary nonfiction. They are ready for the rigors of high school.
Grading Scale: A 90-100%; B 80-89%; C 70-79%; D 69-60%; F below 60%
Late Policy: Any schoolwork that is turned in late will be reduced by 20%. Whether it is a day late, a week late, or a month late, the maximum credit the student can earn on each late assignment is 80%.
The student will be allowed to turn in schoolwork until the end of the nine weeks. After the nine weeks, no work from that nine weeks will be accepted and the student will receive a zero for any assignments that have not been turned in.
*When you return to class after any absence, it is your responsibility to check with me for any and all missed work.
All work missed due to an absence should be made up within one day (24 hours) after returning to school or class. After extended absences, students will be allowed one day (24 hours) per day of absence to turn in work without it being late.
Ex. If a student is absent for two days = that student will have two school days (48 hours) to complete work for full credit.
Method of Evaluation: Essays; tests, projects and/or presentations; daily work; quizzes; class participation/discussion; and final are used to determine grades. (90% of your semester grade)
Professionalism: Professionalism is how you show respect for and contribute to the learning experience. You begin each semester with 100% of your professional points. You will start each semester with 200 points--these points are based on class preparation, participation, homework completion, work ethic, and prompt class arrival. You can lose a maximum of three points a day. (10% of your semester grade)
Classroom Materials: Please bring the following items EVERY day--
Pencil, paper, iPad, library book.
Standard Procedure: I expect you to be seated and ready to learn when the bell rings. Upon arrival into the classroom, you will quietly find your seat and begin bell work. Your bell work will be on the board and consists of journal writing, grammar, and/or vocabulary.
THE RULE: All you need to remember is one word—RESPECT. Respect yourself and other people. We all have the right to be treated with respect—treat all others as you would like to be treated. IT IS THAT SIMPLE.
Other School Rules:
1. Food or drinks are not permitted outside the commons.
2. Cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, etc. must remain turned off/silent during class unless used directly with the lesson. Failure to do so will result in the device being taken away by the teacher and given to the office.
3. Students who wish to leave the room for any reason must sign out and properly display their hall pass at all times.
Discipline: Your behavior should clearly express the fact that you are in middle school. You are responsible for your own behavior and it is your choice to follow the rules or break them. If you choose to break the rules there will be consequences as stated in your student agenda. You do not have the right to interrupt my teaching, stop anybody else from learning, or waste everyone’s time with disruptive behavior. Hint: make it easy on yourself and simply follow the rules!
ALL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES FROM THE BLUESTEM STUDENT HANDBOOK WILL BE ENFORCED
I am here to help you succeed so please do not be afraid to ask questions. This is going to be a great year!