English 8
Course Expectations and Overview
Ms. Bauknecht, Mr. Gallagher, Ms. Song, Mrs. Connors, and Ms.
Stevens
Welcome to a fun and exciting year in eighth grade English! The English 8 curriculum this year is
divided into two semester courses—8A Writing and Language and 8B Literature and Language.
8A Writing and Language
Writing and Language 8A puts writing at the center of teaching and learning. This course prepares
students to communicate in a world that is changing so rapidly we may not even be able to imagine future
means of communication. The course focuses on developing the skills students need to communicate
effectively for a variety of purposes, audiences, and media. The writing class is a workshop: students
write every day, keep a portfolio to track progress and set goals, and explore ways to convey their own
voice. They read as writers, analyzing short texts, practicing the writers’ techniques, and imitating the
style and sentence structures of published authors. They study literature and language as an integral part
of the writing and revision process. Students write to explore their own thinking, engage in reflection, and
learn each day that they have control over improving their craft. Students will carry at least three tasks
each quarter through the whole writing process that address three different types of writing: argument,
informative/explanatory, and narrative.
8B Literature as Craft
Unit 1 provides the transition between Writing and Language 8A and Literature and Language 8B. Just as
students make choices in their own writing, they now consider more carefully the choices the authors make
in the works they read. Students read short stories and narrative fiction to explore how authors shape their
texts in deliberate ways to give life to their stories. This unit focuses on all the elements that go into crafting
a good story—compelling characters, a well-chosen setting, complex relationships, colliding desires, and,
ultimately, a resolution of conflict that allows the author to imply a truth about human nature or the human
condition.
Grading Information
Achievement
Your English grade reflects achievement of skills based on the state and county indicators listed for 8 th grade
English. Grades will be divided into three categories:
10% for Homework/practice and preparation
50% for Formative Assessments
40% for Summative Assessments and all other achievement assessments: Reading/Comprehension,
Writing/Common Tasks, and Conventions/Vocabulary.
The purpose of homework is to reinforce and practice skills taught in class and to prepare for upcoming
instruction and assessment. Homework graded for completion will be scored according to the following:
 Full credit will be awarded for completed assignments
 At least half credit will be awarded for partial attempts, as long as they are relevant to the
assignment
 0% credit will be awarded if no attempt is made
Classwork/Homework
• Practice assignments
Categories and Sample Assignments
Formative
Summative
• Well-developed paragraphs
• Written assignments taken
through the writing process
(finished and revised products)
8/2012-13
• Pre-writing organizers
• Assessment reviews
• Literature assignments
•Journal entries
• MCPS formative assessments
• Some writing tasks
• Teacher designed assessments,
quizzes, some homework, and some
class work
•Journal entries
• Structured classroom discussions
• Speaking assignments
• Novel quizzes, tests
• Some projects, outside reading
assessments
Recommended supplies/materials:
 Three-ring binder
 Loose leaf notebook paper (lots!)
 Single-subject spiral notebook or composition book
 Pens – blue or black and red/colored
Late Work and Missing Work: Due dates and deadlines
• See the Student Handbook for guidelines on due dates and deadlines for submitting work. Missing work
not attempted by the deadline will be recorded in the grade book as zero. Work completed but not meeting
“minimum standard” will be recorded in the grade book as 50%. “Minimum standard” is defined as 50% of
assignment completed to the best of student’s ability as determined by the teacher.
Revision and reassessment of student work-Opportunity to redo work
•
•
Within each quarter, you will be provided the opportunity to revise and/or retake certain assigned
tasks and assessments for reassessment. Your teacher will discuss this option prior to the assessment
and establish a new timeline for completion after evidence of additional study or practice is
demonstrated.
Formative and End-of-Unit assessments may not be retaken or revised for reassessment.
Extra Credit: There will be no extra credit under the MCPS grading policy.
Communication
•
Student handbook, interims, report cards, individual conferences,
Edline, and electronic updates. Telephone and email communication will also be used, as necessary.
The grading program uses the following codes:
X = excused (is not calculated into the grade)
Z = indicates missing assignment, after due date but prior to deadline (calculated as 0%)
0 = indicates work not turned in by deadline
Student Support
•
Additional assistance is available as posted in the classroom and by teacher appointment.
Behavior Expectations
•
You are expected to be an active and respectful participant in the learning environment based on
behavior expectations stated in the student handbook and 8th grade team management plan.
Absences
•
You are required to complete all work missed due to absences. Refer to the Student Handbook
concerning “What to do when you miss class”. You should call a study buddy and check Edline to
find out what was assigned. Then talk to your teacher upon your return to class to make arrangements
for making up work.
Parent Communication
•
The best way to contact your English teacher is by e-mail.
Ms. Bauknecht
[email protected]
Mr. Gallagher
[email protected]
Ms. Song
[email protected]
Mrs. Stevens
[email protected]
8/2012-13