Grade 8 Reading/English Language Arts Syllabus 2014-2015

Grade 8 Reading/English Language Arts Syllabus 2014-2015 James Madison Middle School 2014-2015 Grade 8 Reading/English Language Arts

Teacher: Mr. Shane Conrad Location: Room 212 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.conradenglish.com The best way to contact me is through the PGCPS e-mail. Class updates and resources will also be located on my website: My e-mail comes directly to my smart phone and I will respond as promptly as I can to all inquiries.

James Madison Middle Office Telephone: (301) 599-2422

Class Description

“Great, by choice!”

Keeping with Prince George’s County Public Schools new mantra, at James Madison we are striving to make intelligent and informed instructional changes so that our students and staff can be “great.” This year across the county a goal of “achieving literacy” has been handed to every teacher. Students will be learning in ALL classes how reading, writing, and communicating will play a role in their futures. As always here at Madison, being an International Baccalaureate World School, we have the added goal of preparing our students to join the global dialogue.

“What will my child be doing in your class?

An excellent question. Common Core is in full swing for the second year and the PARCC, Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, assessments are major players in this year’s curriculum. Students will be engaging in curriculum structured from the Common Core Standards as well as preparing to meet this important assessment prepared and informed.

“So you’re going to be teaching them to pass a test?”

Fortunately no. Instruction for the students to perform well on the PARCC assessments is built into the Common Core standards. In short, this is not a test that can be taught. Students will need literacy skills from all content areas to be successful.

“So what specifically will you be teaching/doing?”

My department is committed to providing instruction that expands and refines skill in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, oral communication, and visual literacy. Students will get a wide and thoughtful experience with literary and informational texts that build knowledge and broaden world views.

Students will read various genres and learn to study closely how writers use craft and structure to share certain ideas. Students will learn the writing process from prewriting through publishing. Students will study language usage, mechanics, and grammar. Grade 8 Reading/English Language Arts Syllabus 2014-2015 To prepare students to be college and career ready, they will have many opportunities to collaborate in groups and make presentations in front of an audience.

In keeping with our global focus as well students will utilize the above skills within the context of modern day events. Students will be exposed to diverse worlds and peoples to help prepare them to join the global dialogue.

Finally students will get to use a wide variety of technology and media in my classroom. In accordance with a new school policy students are allowed to carry and use PED, personal electronic devices, for instructional purposes only. If available, students will be exposed to new ways to communicate, learn, and achieve.

Common Core State Standards http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers http://www.parcconline.org/

Class Materials Come to class with the proper supplies every day. Do not forget!  1 Binder with a section designated for Reading/English Language Arts (This binder can also contain sections for the other subject areas.)  Composition Notebooks  Writing Utensil  High Lighters  Smart Phone, Ipod, Ipad (if applicable/able)  Independent Reading Book

Important Textbook Information The Reading/English Language Arts textbook is Holt McDougal Literature 2012 (Grade 8). Students will have access to hard copies of the textbook in class.

The new textbook series is also available on-line for at home use. I will occasionally assign readings and other activities from the textbook. Student will be able to access the readings and activities using the on-line textbook website. All students will be issued a username and password.

For students who do not have on-line access, they may check out a textbook from the teacher in order to complete the homework assignment. The textbook should be returned the next day with the assignment.

PGCPS Grading Policy Factors Brief Description Grade Percentage Per Quarter Includes all work begun and/or completed in class, including: 25% Class Work • Reader’s Response Questions • Essays • Student journals • Class discussions • Group/cooperative activities • Vocabulary and grammar activities Grade 8 Reading/English Language Arts Syllabus 2014-2015 • Other tasks as assigned Includes all work completed outside of the class setting including: • Readings and/or related tasks Homework 25% • Book Reviews • Constructed responses • Other tasks as assigned Assessments (formative and summative) may be written, oral, and performance based. Some assessments must include SR’s and CR’s, including: Assessment • Unit assessments 50% • Quizzes • Research and/or projects • Oral presentations

The majority of the work the students will be judged on they create and bring to the table. Whether it is a group discussion about our current text or global event, a presentation they give to the class, or a paper they submit, THEY have the power to succeed.

In the real world no one sets a paper and pencil before you and says “Should we, A: Focus our efforts on creating more fuel efficient cars, or B: Try to invent more effective biofuels?” or “True or False: You deserve a raise at your law firm.” Success in the real world relies on our ability to communicate, persuade, create, analyze, and report. My classroom will reflect that belief.

If the student comes to class prepared, engaged, and motivated to participate and learn they WILL succeed.

Any written work may be, and is encouraged to be, computerized unless stated otherwise. Late assignments will be subject to a penalty.

Cheating or plagiarism violate the school code and will not be tolerated. Any such violations of the school code may result in loss of credit for the assignment or be referred to the administration for further action.

Classroom Expectations

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

8th grade is a challenging year for students. They will receive a host of new requirements, demands, and challenges. It is their first taste of the kinds of expectations they will face in college and beyond. I believe it is only fair that if students are to be expected to perform like an adult that they be treated like one too. As such I will not waste the student’s time outlining policies for “when to use the restroom” or “when to sharpen a pencil. As intelligent young adults I trust their judgment,

If students respect themselves, their classmates, and myself there should be very little discipline issues. If student(s) prove to not be worthy of that respect or abuse it, more strict policies will be enacted and enforced.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T Class Work Habits:

Students will complete a number of tasks each day including, but not limited to,  Daily Reading Grade 8 Reading/English Language Arts Syllabus 2014-2015  Daily Journaling  Partner and Group Discussion

Work habits consist of effort in class, completion of assignments, neatness in all work, and coming to class with supplies. Students must pay attention to class lectures and keep up with the various assignments and group activities. If the students use my class time wisely, I will use their after school time wisely as well. I do not believe in busy work, if the student comes to class ready to contribute and learn and I can promise any outside work will be only what is essential for the student’s success.

ABSENCES AND ASSIGNMENTS Students have as many days as they were absent to make-up work. For example, if a student misses two days of class they have two days to make-up the work. I will hold relevant materials for students. It is the student’s responsibility to make-up all work. Please come see me to get make-up materials, I will not track you down.

Social Media Usage In an effort to keep up with students fast track and plugged in lives, I will be (within school policy) be utilizing a number of social media websites to inform and communicate with students. The details are listed below. Parents please feel free to also follow me should you have the capability. If you feel you do not want your student to connect to my classroom this way, please reach out to me by email so I can arrange accommodations for your child. I also have a website (still finishing construction as of 8/26) that I encourage you to visit often to stay up to date on all the comings and goings of my classroom.

Website www.conradenglish.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/conrad.english.37

Twitter @ConradELA

Instagram Conradenglish

Curriculum

Curriculum is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, testing, field trips, and a variety of other reasons.

Quarter One: Introduction to Common Core Skills and Strategies/ Poetry and Paper of Analysis Key Concepts Common Core State Suggested Teaching Student Outcomes Standards Activities Close Reading Reading Establish daily independent Writing Diagnostic Academic Vocabulary RL.8.1, RL.8.2 , RL.8.3, reading and classroom Scholastic Reading Grade 8 Reading/English Language Arts Syllabus 2014-2015 Determine Importance RL.8.4 , RL.8.5, RL.8.6, library Inventory Infer Meaning RL.8.7, RL.8.10 , RI.8.1, Introduce fiction and Quick Writes Summarize and Synthesize RI.8.2, RI.8.3, RI.8.4, RI.8.6, nonfiction texts Reader Response Analytical RI.8.7, RI.8.8, RI.8.9,RI.8.10 Direct instruction in Tone Essay Narrative Writing academic vocabulary Literary Analysis Essay Argument W.8.1 ,W.8.2 ,W.8.3 instruction Research Simulation Task ,W.8.4 ,W.8.5, W.8.6, Direct instruction in close Novel and Film Study W.8.9, W.8.10 reading techniques and Culminating Task Language reading strategy instruction L.8.4, L.8.5 Introduce all three types for Speaking and Listening writing-analytical SL.8.1, SL.8.2, SL.8. 4, argument, and narrative SL.8.6 Establish literature circles/Complete Novel/Film Culminating Activities

Quarter Two : Poetry and Narrative Study Key Concepts Common Core State Suggested Teaching Student Outcomes Standards Activities Poetry Terms: Reading Direct instruction in mini- Analytical Essays Metaphor RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3, lessons on Literary Quick Writes Simile RL.8.4, RL.8.5, RL.8.6, terminology Comparative Essays Allusion RL.8.7, RL.8.RL.8.9, RL.8.10 Focus on Writing to Explain Media Project: Group Personification RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.3, RI.8.4, Creative Writing from Text Documentary Onomatopoeia RI.8.5, RI.8.6, RI.8.7, RI.8.9, Use of Close Reading Narrative PCR Alliteration RI.8.10 Strategies Poetry Written from Mentor Imagery Use of Reader Response text Rhyme Writing notebooks with sign-posts Rhythm W.8.1, W.8.2, W.8.3, W.8.4, Use of Graphic Organizers Ballad W.8.5, W.8.6 Free Verse Narrative terms: Speaking and Listening Character/Point of SL.8.1, SL.8.2, SL.8.4, View/Plot/Theme SL.8.6 Narrative Nonfiction Memoir Language Biography/Autobiography L.8.1, L.8.2, L.8.3, L.8.4, L.8.5, L.8.6 Grade 8 Reading/English Language Arts Syllabus 2014-2015 Quarter Three: Informational Study and PARCC Review Key Concepts Common Core State Suggested Teaching Student Outcomes Standards Activities Reading Direct instruction in Prose Constructed Author’s Purpose RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.3, mini-lessons on Response Author’s Argument RI.8.4, RI.8.5, RI.8.8, argument v. persuasion Quick Write Claim RI.8.7, RI.8.8, RI.8.9, Focus on Writing to Reader Response Evidence RI.8.10 Argue Argument Essay Counterclaim Use of Close Reading Class debate Rebuttal Writing Strategies Common Core Exemplar Text Structure Central Idea W.8.1, W.8.2, W.8.4, Use of Reader Response Practice W.8.5, W.8.8, W.8.7, notebooks with sign- W.8.8, W.8.9, W.8.10 posts Use of Graphic Speaking and Listening Organizers SL.8.1, SL.8.2, SL.8.3, SL.8.4, SL.8.5, SL.8.8

Language L.8.1, L.8.2, L.8.3, L.8.4, L.8.5, L.8.6

Quarter Four: Drama and Author Study Key Concepts Common Core State Suggested Teaching Student Outcomes Standards Activities Elements of a Drama Reading  Direct instruction  Research  Stage directions RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3, of Research Simulation Task RL.8.4, RL.8.5, RL.8.9  Dialogue  Complete a variety RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.4, Simulation Task of short and long  Plot RI.8.6, RI.8.7, RI.8.8,  Direct instruction writing responses  Historical/social/politic RI.8.9 in mini lessons on al context  Rewrite a scene elements of from a narrative as a  Theme Writing drama W.8.1, W.8.2, W.8.3, play  Development of W.8.4, W.8.5, W.8.7,  Use of graphic  Participate in character W.8.8, W.8.9 organizers Literature Circles Literary  Use of Close  Keep a reflective  Conflict Speaking and Reading reading journal  Tone Listening Strategies  Plot SL.8.1, 8.2, 8.5  Theme Informational  Primary and Secondary Sources