Language Arts
(Reading and Writing)
Contact Information
Carolyn Wahl
Room D5
Email: cwahl@pecschools.org
Phone: 623-975-7259
Website: http://teacherweb.com/AZ/ParadiseEducationCenter/CarolynWahl/h0.stm
Lisa Johnson
Room D4
Email: ljohnson@pecschools.org
Phone: 623-975-7258
Website: http://teacherweb.com/AZ/ParadiseEducationCenter/LJohnson/list1.aspx
Welcome to 8th Grade Language Arts!
We are excited about the new format this year! Students will be in class for
two consecutive class periods. One period will focus on the Arizona Reading
Standards and one period will focus on the Arizona Writing Standards. This
format will allow for a more comprehensive approach to the subject. Students
will receive two grades from the class, one for reading and one for
writing. If you have any questions regarding the new format please do not
hesitate to ask.
Course Description
This class is designed to prepare students for both reading and writing
success in high school and beyond. The course will cover each of the state
standards for 8th grade reading and writing. There is a link to the
standards on the PEC’s main webpage.
Reading
In reading there are four areas of text that we will study: literature,
expository, functional and persuasive. Below is a list of books that we will
read in class, this is not the only reading for the class:
The Pearl by John Stienbeck
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
In addition to reading, we will be focusing our studies on vocabulary
building including prefixes, suffixes and root words.
Writing
Our writing class will focus on the 6-traits of writing with an emphasis on
Conventions. Conventions cover a variety of topics from spelling,
punctuation and grammar. Even though our emphasis will be on Conventions,
students are expected to follow the guidelines of 6-Trait writing with each
assignment.
Research will be another area of focus for 8th grade this year. Students
will research, take notes, write an outline, and complete a multi page
report – topics will be discussed in class and focus on 8th grade social
studies and/or science topics.
Expectations of students in class
• Be on time – have pencils sharpened, agenda on desk, journal on desk,
homework out, and in your seat before class is to begin
• Be prepared and responsible – come to class with a good attitude,
supplies and homework completed
• Show respect – be quiet in class so every student is able to do their
best. Raise your hand and ask permission before you speak. Work
time in class is NOT social time.
• Be a good listener – be open to others and their ideas
Grading
Grades are based on a percentage of points. Each assignment will be worth a
set number of points depending on the assignment. Tests, quizzes and
projects will be worth more points than daily work.
100-97 A+ 89-87 B+ 79-77 C+ 69-65 D+
96-94 A 86-84 B 76-74 C 64 and below F
93-90 A- 83-80 B- 73-70 C-
Student grades should not be a surprise, students get graded work back
weekly. Additionally, students and parents can check grades on Power
Schools. If you have lost, misplaced or never received a user ID and
Password please contact Ms Wahl and she can reprint or create a new
password. .
Assignments and Homework
All students are required to utilize the agenda provided by PEC it will be
part of their grade for Language Arts. There will be an agenda check in
class each week. The goal of the agenda is to help students be organized
about their school work and to communicate homework to parents. If your
student has lost or misplaced their agenda, a new one can be purchased in the
front office for $5.00.
A variety of assignments will be given to help your student learn and
understand what is being taught in class. You can anticipate your student
having some homework almost every night even if it is just to review
vocabulary or work on writing assignments. If you student consistently tells
you they do not have homework please verify with Power Schools and/or Ms.
Wahl. Please note that homework is intended to help students practice what
they have been taught in class and is an important part of their long term
education.
All assignments are due the following day unless otherwise stated. Please
see the weekly assignment calendar on my website for specific due dates.
Absences and make-up work
Attendance is very important! While we understand that absences occur,
please note that extended time outside of the class will impact student
learning. As students get into middle school and high school it gets
harder and harder to miss a class without getting behind. There are many
activities that require the student to be in class to participate in a
discussion or work on a group project in order to comprehend the concept. We
thank you in advance for planning appointments and vacations around the
academic calendar (in handbook also on PEC website)
If a student is absent they will be given the number of days they were
absent, plus one more, to make up what they missed on the day(s) of their
absence. Extensions will not be given for long term projects – students will
be required to stay current on all assignments they know about prior to their
absence.
It is the students’ responsibility to find out what they missed and to see
that it is turned in on time. It is suggested that students plan on staying
after school the day they return to check in with all teachers. This will
allow students to get clarification or make up assignments/tests. Please
make arrangements with the teacher prior to staying after school.
Late work
Late work is highly discouraged as it interrupts the learning process for the
student. It is important that students get work completed on time in order
to gain the benefits of the assignment. This not only helps student
learning, but reduces student stress when they are not trying to catch up.
Students will receive a missing assignment report each Monday (or first day
of the week) that will inform the student of anything missing from the prior
week. Students will have until Friday (or last day of the week) to turn in
work for reduced credit. If a student turns in an assignment late they will
receive 50% credit. If the assignment is a project (ie final writing
assignment) the grade will be reduced 10% per day it is late. Please note
that students are required to complete ALL work for the class even if it is
late.
**** Please note that if a student has multiple missing assignments they may
be asked to stay after school to get caught up.
Occasionally things happen and students are not able to complete homework on
time. Students have been given three Oops! Cards for such occasions. These
cards allow students to turn in a late assignment, within the guidelines
stated above, for full credit. Students must complete the work – the Oops!
Cards DO NOT excuse a student from the assignment, it just gives them extra
time to complete the assignment. If students have all work turned at the end
of each quarter, they can turn in any unused Oops! Cards for extra credit.
Extra Credit
Students may complete an extra reading/writing assignment each week for 10
extra credit points (5 for reading/5 for writing). Students are asked to
read 25 pages of a fiction book that is at their reading level (no comics,
magazines, etc..) and complete an assignment. Student must complete both
pieces of the assignment to receive extra credit. All forms must be signed
by a parent to verify the student completed the reading. Forms can be found
in the classroom or on my website.