EIGHTH GRADE BLOCK
MR. SHERMAN
September 3, 2008
Eighth grade block consists of two subjects, language arts and social
studies. The language arts program includes reading short stories, books for
reports, writing short stories, grammar and spelling. Social studies
primarily consists of United States history, current events and world geography.
CURRENT EVENTS
Current events are discussed daily at the beginning of block. Students
take notes on people and places in the news and are graded on quizzes which
are given approximately every two weeks. World geography is stressed and
map tests will also be a part of the students' grades.
The primary and presidential election will be covered during the first two months.
UNITED STATES HISTORY
Units include:
Exploration
Revolutionary War period
Presidential election
Constitution - we will concentrate on the judicial branch and role
play the Supreme Court
Early 1800’s
Westward Expansion
Civil War
Writing CBA’s (Classroom based assessment)
LANGUAGE ARTS
Student writing is frequently generated from stories read in class
as well as information we are studying in social studies. Students will work
on the following areas which meet the eighth grade state grade level expectations:
using the writing process
writing clear and effective paragraphs
revising and editing
employing the correct usage and conventions
evaluating their own work and that of others
WASL preparation
Reading short stories will be the focus of literature. Grade level
expectations that will be a focus include:
increasing comprehension
analyzing the elements of a short story
building vocabulary
analyzing the author’s purpose
SPELLING/ VOCABULARY
Spelling pretests are usually given each Monday. Students are required
to hand in assignments and take the post test on the words missed on the
pretest. If no mistakes or very few mistakes are made on the pretest, the
student takes his/her word list from more difficult words which are on the
board. Final tests are usually given on Fridays.
Vocabulary will be learned with the spelling words and will be included
on the Friday test.
BOOK REPORTS
Book reports are included as a part of the reading grade on books which
are primarily read at home. Reports will be completed on a regular schedule,
usually every three weeks, throughout the quarter. Grades will be given on
each book report as well as the number of pages completed during the quarter.
The first book report will be due September 30, the second October 23, third,
November 18 and the fourth December 16. If a student is reading a book which
has more than 300 pages, an extension will be given based on the length of the
book.
My goal for the students is that they become life long readers. The
eighth grade is one of the last times many students will read books of their
choice since high school activities will take so much of their time in the
upcoming years. Hopefully students will take advantage of this time. Book
reports are to help make the students accountable for their reading. Please
see that your son/ daughter keeps up on the reading and is ethical when
writing the book reports.
Grades for total quarter pages are:
800 pages = A
600 pages = B 100 bonus pages may be earned by reading classics.
400 pages = C 50 bonus pages may be earned by reading historical
fiction and
200 pages= D nonfiction.
50 bonus pages may also be earned if an AR test is
passed with a score of 70% or better.
GRADING
Progress reports will be sent home midway through each quarter and a
report card at the quarter's end. You can also see your son’s / daughter’s
grades through parent access on the school web site.
The achievement grade will be derived from averaging the grades on
assignments, tests and projects completed in each class.
Tests may be retaken for a grade one lower than would have been earned on
the original test. Assignments may be redone and graded in a similar manner.
For example, the second time a student took a test, if the grade would have
been a “B” it would now be a “C.” Hopefully, this will keep students learning
even if material was not mastered the first time.
LATE WORK
All assignments are to be completed. If an assignment is one day late,
the grade will be lowered one. If it is two days to one week late, the grade
will be lowered two and later than one week it will drop three grades. This
does not apply to work turned in late due to illness. Late work is not
accepted for rough drafts which must be done to be edited in class.
If you would like to give your son/daughter an extension on a homework
assignment due to a particularly busy evening, please write a note.
HOMEWORK
Homework is usually given on a daily basis. Assignments should be
written in the student’s agenda. Homework is usually given in only one
subject, but students should always be reading for book reports. Assignments
are listed daily on the school’s web page.
MAKE-UP WORK
Assignments and tests missed due to absence should be made up as soon as
possible. It is the student's responsibility to find out what was missed and
to make arrangements for completion.
I'm looking forward to an exciting year. Please feel free to call me at
596-3000 to discuss your child's progress or any concerns you may have. My
planning time is 2nd period which is between 9:00 and 10:00. You may also
e-mail me at bsherman@osd.wednet.edu.
Sincerely,
Bruce Sherman
