Reading and Language Arts –Eighth Grade                                             Mrs. Paige Wolcott

 

Class Description:

This class will provide an opportunity to explore language arts while participating in daily writing and reading workshops. Students will be actively writing every day in class. They will master the writing process and become proficient in the skill of self-evaluating their own material. Students will also participate in daily grammar and writing skill-building activities that may be directly applied to students’ current writing. Students will also build their vocabulary knowledge and skills each week through SAT/ACT activities and testing. Along with the study of the class assigned novels, students will also be given the opportunity to read and study approved novels of their own choosing.

This class is developed to target writing skills and to prepare students for their upcoming high school years. All activities and instruction are directed toward improving students’ abilities to communicate thoughtfully and clearly.

 

Textbooks:

Literature: Green Level

Language Arts Today  (purple)

 

Required Materials:

- two composition books

- an accordion file w/ 12 sections

- a 2-ring binder w/ 5 dividers (could be shared with other subjects)

- notebook paper

- pen/or pencil

- 2 red pens

- 4 different colored highlighters

- colored pencils 

- an approved book of choice (always) 

 

Grading:

Classwork:      15%  (checked for effort, understanding and participation)

Homework:     15%  (checked for effort, understanding and completion; turned in on-time)

Quizzes:          25%  (vocabulary, D.O.L., novel chapters, spelling; literature terms)

Tests/Major Writings: 30%  (unit exams, essays, example writings)

Responsibility/Participation: 15% 

-          3 pts. are given each day for the following rules.

-          points are deducted daily for each rule not followed:

• H-no homework, L-locker, T-tardy, TMT-too much talking, OT – off task

                              

Classroom Procedures and Expectations:

Basics:

Listen and participate respectfully.

Bring all required materials daily.

Actively participate and give your best effort daily.

Be in your seat and quietly working on the warm-up assignment when the tardy bell rings.

Assignments:

Follow specific directions of the given assignments.

All assignments must be completed and turned in on time.

Assignments must be legible with proper heading.

All handouts, quizzes, tests, and assignments should be kept in the binder for references and review for quizzes and tests.

 

Late- work:

1 – day late will lose 10% of total points (10pt assignment will lose 1pt.; 50 pt. will lose 5pts., etc.)

2 – days late will lose 20% of total points

3 – days will lose 50% of total points

More than 3 days will result in a zero.

 

Make-up work:

When you return to class from an absence, your make-up work will be in the blue wall-organizer on the board. It is your responsibility to pick-up your assignments, complete the work and return it to me by the new due date. Of course, I am available for tutoring if the concepts are new.

 

All homework assignments will be posted on the homework helper link available on the school web page.

This can be useful in keeping up with missed assignments in an extended absence.

 

Special Note:

I am available for tutoring/extra help after school every day until 3:15PM.

 

Please contact me with questions, comments, or concerns throughout the year.

Email: pwolcott@southfield-school.org

Phone: 868-5375 (school voicemail)