Teacher- Mrs. L. Bezich
Course Outline
English Language Arts (ELA)
Grade 8
Fall 2011
COURSE EMPHASIS
An in depth student of core literature, as well as of writing as a
process, will be the two focal points in this course. Students will study
literature in order to improve their critical thinking skills, in order to
make personal connections and to have touchstone examples of quality writing.
Students will learn to enhance their writing by applying techniques outlined
by the California Standards and Framework for Middle School Language Arts.
CURRICULUM
*Textbook: Literature and Language Arts (Holt)
*Textbook: Handbook Second Course (Holt)
*The Call of The Wild By Jack London
*Farewell to Manzanar By Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston
* The Dairy of a Young Girl By Anne Frank
* Vocabulary lists, newspapers, videos, supplemental materials (poetry, short
stories, etc.)
*Accelerated Reader (Students will read books and will be asked to take tests
in the Computer Lab to earn points. More information forthcoming.)
*Study Island (A computer program that may be done on any computer.)
SUGGESTED MATERIALS
*Three-ringed notebook
*Spiral Notebook for Writer's Notebook
*Black and White Composition Book (or any color/print of your choice) for
Commonplace Book
*College or wide-ruled paper ( 8 1/2 x 11)
*Colored markers and/or colored pencils
*Highlighter pens, two colors
*2 ballpoint pens in either black or dark blue ink
*1 ballpoint pen in red
* 2 pencils, No. 2 graphite
*School Planner (This should be in the student's possession every day.)
*A thesaurus and dictionary are recommended for home use, but is not required
as in-class materials.
*It is also recommended that if you are able to purchase an individual copy
for your child or any and/or all of the core novels, mentioned, that you do
so. However, copies are available for class use.
ASSESSMENTS AND GRADING
Every student will be academically assessed on essays, Commonplace Books,
vocabulary lists, classwork, homework, tests, quizzes, Accelerated Read
Points, Study Island, oral presentations, and group work. The student's class
participation and completion of assigned work on time will determine the
"effort " grade. Classroom behavior and tardies will determine the
"citizenship" grade.
Grades are given every ten weeks. There will be four report cards, two each
semester.
GRADING SCALE
Accelerated Reader/Book Project 15% Writing Assignments and Revisions 20%
Homework/Study Island/Classwork 15%Writer's Notebook Checks 20% Commonplace
Book Checks 15% Tests and Quizzes 15%
CITIZENSHIP GRADES
E=Excellent S=Satisfactory N= Needs Improvement D= Unsatisfactory
ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES
Regular school attendance is vital to your child's education. Students who are
not physically present in the classroom will be marked absent. Please notify
the school when your child is going to be absent at (310) 533-4790. Students
who are not in their assigned seats when the bell rings will be marked
"tardy". Tardies are disruptive and therefore will affect the citizenship
grade. Detention will be assigned when appropriate. Excessive tardies in a
semester may result in a "U" for that semester.
HOMEWORK
Homework will be assigned daily throughout the school week. Students are to
read at least 20 minutes per day (M-TH) and record it on the Reading Log.
Other assignments and special projects may require more time, such as the
weekends and/or vacations. Students may find long term projects and deadlines
on teacherweb.com under Richardson Middle School, Bezich and Calendar. Daily
homework is also to be written down in the Student Planner. Every student
should have a Study Buddy in each class to call if necessary.
MAKE-UP WORK
For each legal day of absence, a student will have one day to make up any
daily assignment. It is every student's individual responsibility to obtain
the missing assignment(s).Any student returning from an absence is to check
the Teacher Web or a Study Buddy's Planner. All makeup tests for absent
students are given at lunch (usually on Wednesdays) by appointment with the
teacher. It is up to the student to arrange to take the makeup test.
LATE WORK
First Semester- Late work will be accepted no more than one day after it is
due and will receive no grade higher than "C".
Second Semester- Late work WILL NOT be accepted except for an absence, see
above.
Late work will also negatively affect the student's "effort" grade.
LONG TERM ASSIGNMENTS
Major essays, Commonplace Books, Writer's Notebooks, Reading Logs, Accelerated
Reader Points, Study Island and special projects that are originally given
more time to complete WILL NOT be accepted late at any time.
Long Term Assignments must be in the day that they are due with no exceptions.
Arrangements need to be made to turn these assignments into the teacher by a
parent or another student should the student be absent that day.
EXTRA CREDIT
Occasionally, Extra Credit is given to students. Students will only be given
the extra credit points if and only if their regular course work assignments
are all turned in.
CITIZENSHIP
Students shall be responsible for obeying the class and school rules.
Classroom Rules will be discussed in class and posted.
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8th Grade ELA
Please read the Course Outline with your student, print it out, sign the
following and return to Mrs. Bezich in Room. 31. The whole Syllabus will be
attached to the Writer's Notebook as the first assignment. Thank you for your
cooperation and support!
I have read the above standards and expectations and accept responsiblity for
meeting them. I understand that Late Work will not be accepted after the first
semester and Long Term Assignments will never be accepted late.
I also understand that Extra Credit points will only be given to the student
if they have completed regular course assignments.
X____________________________________________
Print Student's Name
X____________________________________________
Student's Signature
X____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian's Signature
___________________________________
Date