Eighth Grade English
DRIPPING SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE SYLLABUS
2015 - 2016 SCHOOL YEAR
Teacher Conference Time Phone Number
Mrs. Donna Weikert 3:26 – 4:15 (512) 858-3461
E-mail Address:
[email protected]
Web Pages
http://mrsdonnaweikert.weebly.com/
TUTORIALS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, some Fridays @ 8:30 and after school by appointment.
COURSE SYNOPSIS: The English Language Arts curriculum will be based on the well-developed Holt McDougal program which builds on literature to form a complete, integrated language arts program incorporating reading, literary elements, and vocabulary as well as speaking and listening. We will use the Prentice Hall Writing Coach for incorporating writing and grammar skills. In addition, certain teacher selected and/or generated materials will be used as necessary to meet the needs of the students.
TEXTBOOKS:
Literature – Holt McDougal
Writing Coach – Prentice Hall
Each English teacher has class sets of each title. However, for homework, students will be using online textbooks this year. Students will receive their online access information including username and password during the first three weeks of school. A link for accessing the online textbook can also be found on my website. Students will be able to access the online textbook through the Internet on any device. Any student who is unable to access their online textbook from home will be able to do so at school. My classroom is available during morning tutorials as well as the CLI (Center for Learning and Innovation). Students taking study hall should also have access to technology devices as well.
NOVELS:
No Promises in the Wind by Irene Hunt
Various SIT-approved Holocaust novels (list will be provided during the third six-week grading period)
The Weirdo by Theodore Taylor
The White Mountains by John Christopher
These novels are available for parent checkout and review from the DSMS library or from your child’s English teacher. Students are encouraged to purchase their own copies of the novels.
GRADING PROCEDURES: The grading policy and percentages for 8th grade are as follows:
70% Summative/30% Formative. Students will be advised regarding the category of each assignment. Generally tests/assessments, scheduled quizzes, projects/presentations will be classified as summative. Daily work (classwork and homework), pop quizzes, etc. will be formative. Grade rubrics will be passed out for major assignments/projects/presentations. Your student can expect 2-3 grades per week in English class.
HOMEWORK: Homework is an extension and application of lessons begun in class. The amount of homework will vary according to the unit being studied and the nature of the assignment. If time is used wisely, homework will be minimal. Major projects (long-term assignments) may require work time outside of the normal class setting (i.e. at home). Should any concerns arise about homework (length of assignment, particular assignment, directions, etc.), please contact me as soon as possible! Homework assignments can be found in students’ Daily Assignment Logs or on my webpage.
LATE WORK POLICY:
Formative: Students have a two-day window to turn in late work for a maximum grade of 70. After the two-day window, the grade will be a zero.
Summative: Students have a one-day window to turn in late work for a maximum grade of 70. After the one-day window, the grade will be a zero.
CORRECTING ASSIGNMENTS/RETESTING:
Formative: Students have no opportunity to correct for a grade.
Summative Tests and Quizzes: Students have the opportunity to correct and retest for a grade of 70.
Projects, Presentations, Final Products or Final Exams: Students have no opportunity to correct for a grade.
MAKE UP WORK FOR ABSENCES:
For an excused absence, the student is to be given a reasonable amount of time to make up the work missed, one day for each day absent. Work assigned prior to the first day of absence is due the day the student returns to class. It is the student's responsibility to make up any work missed. The district shall not impose a grade penalty for make-up work after an unexcused absence, unless the unexcused absence is for truancy. For an absence determined by the district to be truancy, a student shall receive a zero on daily grades and a grade reduction of 30 percent on examinations. [ELA(Local)] Teachers will be notified by administration if a student is truant.
PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION: The eighth grade English teachers welcome parental input and interest. Each child’s progress is of great importance to us, and we need every parent’s help in making this a successful and rewarding year. Please e-mail or call to set up a conference. Be sure to check Skyward to grade information. Let’s keep the lines of communication open on all issues.
ENGLISH SUPPLIES WISH LIST:
One ream of colored printer paper (used for class notes)
Hand sanitizer
DRIPPING SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE SYLLABUS
2015 - 2016 SCHOOL YEAR
Teacher Conference Time Phone Number
Mrs. Donna Weikert 3:26 – 4:15 (512) 858-3461
E-mail Address:
[email protected]
Web Pages
http://mrsdonnaweikert.weebly.com/
TUTORIALS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, some Fridays @ 8:30 and after school by appointment.
COURSE SYNOPSIS: The English Language Arts curriculum will be based on the well-developed Holt McDougal program which builds on literature to form a complete, integrated language arts program incorporating reading, literary elements, and vocabulary as well as speaking and listening. We will use the Prentice Hall Writing Coach for incorporating writing and grammar skills. In addition, certain teacher selected and/or generated materials will be used as necessary to meet the needs of the students.
TEXTBOOKS:
Literature – Holt McDougal
Writing Coach – Prentice Hall
Each English teacher has class sets of each title. However, for homework, students will be using online textbooks this year. Students will receive their online access information including username and password during the first three weeks of school. A link for accessing the online textbook can also be found on my website. Students will be able to access the online textbook through the Internet on any device. Any student who is unable to access their online textbook from home will be able to do so at school. My classroom is available during morning tutorials as well as the CLI (Center for Learning and Innovation). Students taking study hall should also have access to technology devices as well.
NOVELS:
No Promises in the Wind by Irene Hunt
Various SIT-approved Holocaust novels (list will be provided during the third six-week grading period)
The Weirdo by Theodore Taylor
The White Mountains by John Christopher
These novels are available for parent checkout and review from the DSMS library or from your child’s English teacher. Students are encouraged to purchase their own copies of the novels.
GRADING PROCEDURES: The grading policy and percentages for 8th grade are as follows:
70% Summative/30% Formative. Students will be advised regarding the category of each assignment. Generally tests/assessments, scheduled quizzes, projects/presentations will be classified as summative. Daily work (classwork and homework), pop quizzes, etc. will be formative. Grade rubrics will be passed out for major assignments/projects/presentations. Your student can expect 2-3 grades per week in English class.
HOMEWORK: Homework is an extension and application of lessons begun in class. The amount of homework will vary according to the unit being studied and the nature of the assignment. If time is used wisely, homework will be minimal. Major projects (long-term assignments) may require work time outside of the normal class setting (i.e. at home). Should any concerns arise about homework (length of assignment, particular assignment, directions, etc.), please contact me as soon as possible! Homework assignments can be found in students’ Daily Assignment Logs or on my webpage.
LATE WORK POLICY:
Formative: Students have a two-day window to turn in late work for a maximum grade of 70. After the two-day window, the grade will be a zero.
Summative: Students have a one-day window to turn in late work for a maximum grade of 70. After the one-day window, the grade will be a zero.
CORRECTING ASSIGNMENTS/RETESTING:
Formative: Students have no opportunity to correct for a grade.
Summative Tests and Quizzes: Students have the opportunity to correct and retest for a grade of 70.
Projects, Presentations, Final Products or Final Exams: Students have no opportunity to correct for a grade.
MAKE UP WORK FOR ABSENCES:
For an excused absence, the student is to be given a reasonable amount of time to make up the work missed, one day for each day absent. Work assigned prior to the first day of absence is due the day the student returns to class. It is the student's responsibility to make up any work missed. The district shall not impose a grade penalty for make-up work after an unexcused absence, unless the unexcused absence is for truancy. For an absence determined by the district to be truancy, a student shall receive a zero on daily grades and a grade reduction of 30 percent on examinations. [ELA(Local)] Teachers will be notified by administration if a student is truant.
PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION: The eighth grade English teachers welcome parental input and interest. Each child’s progress is of great importance to us, and we need every parent’s help in making this a successful and rewarding year. Please e-mail or call to set up a conference. Be sure to check Skyward to grade information. Let’s keep the lines of communication open on all issues.
ENGLISH SUPPLIES WISH LIST:
One ream of colored printer paper (used for class notes)
Hand sanitizer