CHALLENGE ENGLISH 8 GREEN
Instructor: Mrs. Anne Burgio
Personal planning time: 7:40-8:38 daily
Team planning time: 12:50-1:43 daily
Voicemail: 729-2400 ex. 7219
Room: 219
E-mail: [email protected]
Course Description:
English is a required yearlong course for all 8th grade students. In English we will uncover a significant amount of material and
find the joy that comes from reading and writing while preparing for the rigors of high school English. Our classes will contain
a mixture of writing, reading, language, speaking, and listening. Class syllabus is attached.
Texts:
Prentice Hall Literature: Missouri Language and Literacy. Penguin. Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2010. Print.
Contemporary Coming of Age Novel
A Raisin in the Sun
World Culture novels-To be chosen at a later date
Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson
Night by Elie Wiesel
Note: To aid in the study of these novels, we are asking each student to bring in $15 by September 13 to cover the cost of some
of the novels. This year the school will purchase the same version for each student. Students will be able to keep the novels
they pay for. If you have any questions about this please feel free to contact me.
Grades:
Grades will be posted on-line using SIS. Please check these regularly and contact the teacher with any questions or concerns.
Classroom Expectations:
Most importantly:
1.
2.
Be respectful.
Be responsible
But also…
3.
4.
5.
Come to class on time and prepared to learn; bring ALL materials.
Bring your manners with you when you enter my room. Conduct yourself appropriately.
Leave whining and excuses at the door. If you have a question or concern, you are expected to deal with it in a mature
manner with the teacher first.
6. Be kind to your classmates (and teacher). Avoid put downs and interruptions.
7. Know that you will be expected to do YOUR best. Anything less is unacceptable.
8. Dress appropriately.
9. Cell phones and electronics are allowed in class for approved activities only. They should be silenced at all times.
10. Bring an outside reading book with you to class every day.
Homework: Homework is to be turned in on the day it is due. Late work will suffer a reduction in credit or may not be
accepted at all. Homework will also be posted on Team 8Gold Facebook page and on the Team 8Gold website.
Absences: It is the student’s responsibility to get missed assignments. E-mailing teachers when absent is a great way to find
out missed work.
Final Note: I am excited about this school year! On Team 8Green, everyone gets a fresh start and a new beginning. I believe
we have a terrific team of teachers for an extraordinary group of students! Let’s make it a great year!
8th Grade Challenge English Syllabus
syllabus subject to change
Yearly Focus
Pairing readings from all genres within one unit
Vocabulary-ongoing
Language, grammar, and conventions-ongoing
Literary elements/techniques-ongoing
Unit 1:
Coming of Age: How can we use written and oral language
to explore the events and ideas that shape our lives?
Unit 3:
World Cultures: How do culture and experiences influence
one’s identity?
Writing
Argumentative writing
Narrative short story writing
Character Analysis
Writing
Reading
Reading
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Joy Luck Club
The House on Mango Street
I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced
The Birchbark House
Of Beetles and Angels
The Kitchen God’s Wife
Tasting the Sky
Before We Were Free
Chain of Fire
Night
“Raymond’s Run”
Excerpt from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
“A Retrieved Reformation”
“The Lie”
Contemporary Coming of Age Novel (choice)
A Raisin in the Sun
Nonfiction and poetry pairings
Unit 2:
Suspense: How does the successful use of suspense create
mood and reader engagement?
Summary and Response Writing
Holocaust Research Writing
Holocaust readings on a selected topic
Nonfiction and poetry pairings
Writing
Literary Analysis
Compare/Contrast Writing
Narrative Writing: Drama
Reading
Sorry, Wrong Number
The Hitchhiker
“The Tell-Tale Heart”
“The Lottery”
Nonfiction and poetry pairings
Unit 4:
How does history of the past influence the future?
Writing
Argumentative Writing
Summary Writing
Reflection
Eighth Grade Memory Book
Reading
Chasing Lincoln’s Killer
“The Gettysburg Address”
“The Emancipation Proclamation”
Nonfiction and poetry pairings