Course Syllabus – English 8
The Keystone Oaks School District mission is to provide a safe learning environment that prepares critical
thinkers to become responsible and productive members of society.
Teacher Contact Information
Mrs. Limerick – Room 306
Email: [email protected]
Phone: Extension #2306
Website: http://teacherweb.com/PA/KeystoneOaksMiddleSchool/Limerick/
What We Will Be Doing
Our primary text will be a literature anthology. In addition, we will be studying several novels, short
stories, and poems throughout the course of the school year. There will also be a writing component to
the class that includes grammar lessons. We will be working with vocabulary each week and will also
practice ELA Common Core Standards in a variety of ways. Each unit of study will be a mixture of
lessons and assignments that you will hopefully enjoy while you learn!
What You Will Need
Each student will need five things each and every day for class: a notebook with pockets to store
handouts, a writing utensil, whatever book we are currently using, vocabulary book and your AR book.
In addition to the anthology, for some novels that we read in class, you will be assigned a text. I will not
hold your book for you! If you lose/deface your assigned text, you will be required to pay for a new one.
You will not receive a report card or a new book, until your lost/defaced book is paid for.
* If you need help acquiring any materials for class, please come see me. We will get you the materials
that you need!
Classroom Rules
- Come to class on time and come to class prepared.
- Hand in work completed and on time.
- Treat everyone with dignity and respect. Always value what others have to say.
- Negativity is not appreciated – keep it to yourself.
- Come to class with an open mind; do not hinder the learning environment of the classroom.
- Any and all plagiarism will result in a failing grade and disciplinary action. Cheating is not
tolerated.
Grading
Grades will mainly consist of the following: tests, quizzes, class work, homework, preparedness and
participation. Homework and class work can include projects, essays, in-class writing, worksheets, or
group work. Disrupting class, sleeping, or disrespecting classmates can result in a drop of the
participation portion of your grade.
This class is based on a point system - Grades will be determined as a percentage of total points
accumulated. The number of points allotted for each assignment will vary according to the difficulty and
duration of the assignment.
I am available to discuss grades before/after class, during free periods (mine), and before/after school.
Late Work/Absences
The easiest way to be successful in this class is to get your work done completely and on time. Points
will be taken away for each day your papers are late. I will accept late work up to 1 week (5 school days)
after the original due date. Get it in on time, or better yet, get it done early!
If you are absent from class, you are responsible for getting your work. Extra copies of handouts and
assignments will be available in the trays in the front of the room. Additionally, assignments are posted
on my website, and handouts are usually available there the day they are passed out in class. You should
check with me for make-up work on the day of your return to school.
If you are absent on the day of a test or a quiz you will be expected to make up the test or quiz before/after
school within one week of your return. If you do not make up a test in this period, you will receive a
failing grade. Long-term assignments (projects, reading assignments, etc.) that were assigned before your
absence will be due on the day of your return.
Discipline
All class skips will be written up. Classroom disruptions will result in a write-up and/or a detention after
school. If you are asked to leave the classroom due to disrespect or disruption, you are responsible for all
missed work. Extra work may be given in some circumstances.
Vocabulary
Every two weeks you will be assigned 20 vocabulary words and several corresponding exercises. You
will have two weeks to study and learn your words for a test. Testing will consist of definitions, spelling,
word usage, and synonyms/antonyms. Every Friday will have a vocabulary component. Vocabulary
exercises from your workbooks will be due bi-weekly, as well.
Accelerated Reader
For each quarter of school, you will be required to earn AR points. For the 1st and 2nd quarters the
requirement is 25 points. You are required to earn 30 AR points for the 3rd and 4th quarters. Books read
for class may NOT be used to earn AR points. (I have alternatives to the standard AR tests if preferable).
Homework
In addition to the vocabulary and AR, homework assignments will be given based upon what was
completed in class.
Enrichment
As part of the unit on Charles Dickens, students may have the opportunity to attend the CLO performance
of A Musical Christmas Carol.
Parent Contact and Web Site
My preferred method of communication is email, but I am always a phone call away. I welcome parental
input and questions, and I hope to speak to almost every student’s parents throughout the school year.
I have created a classroom Web Site where I list assignments and classroom activities as well as school
activities that are available for 8th grade students. Grades will not be posted on this Web Site. Instead, the
Web Site is intended to help students keep track of homework and other activities.
Your first graded assignment will be to get the form below filled out and returned in a timely fashion. The
form is due on Wednesday, completed, for 10 points. You may get it in early (Tuesday) for two bonus
points. Do not fill this form in yourself! Bring it home!
English 8 – Mrs. Limerick – 2015-2016
Student Name:
_________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian:
_________________________________________________________________________
Parent Phone Number:
(home) ________________________
(cell) __________________________
(other) _________________________
Email Address of Parent/Guardian:
_________________________________________________________________________
Best Time/Method of Contact between 7:30 am and 3:00 pm:
_________________________________________________________________________
Please sign here to verify that the information above is correct and that information concerning your child’s progress in class
can be discussed with you over the phone or via the Internet. Please call or email me with any questions or concerns at any
time!
X____________________________________________________________________________