Maus-Colucci 1
Mrs. Jenna Maus-Colucci “Mrs. M-C”
English Department
West Essex Regional School District
Phone: 973.228.1200
E-mail: [email protected] *preferred initial method of contact*
Schoolwires: http://www.westex.org//Domain/233 (go to WEMS “Teacher Websites” & select my name for easy access)
Reading 8 Syllabus
2014-2015
Major Course Objectives by Marking Period:
First Marking Period
◘ Summer Reading
◘ Poetry & Figurative Language - Music Mondays
◘ Root Study #1-5
(Cor, Reg/Rex, Spec/Spic, Graph/Gram, Carn/Corp)
◘ Teenbiz- Level set + 5-6 articles (one per week)
Second Marking Period
◘ Consumerism & Global Sustainability
The Story of Stuff : in-common nonfiction
Mini Research and Action plan
◘ Root Study #1-5 plus all numbers
(Mono, Bi, Tri, Quad, etc.)
◘ Short Story – Review Elements of Fiction
◘ Teenbiz -7-8 articles total (one per week)
◘ Independent Reading -Fiction
◘ “A Raisin in the Sun”: in-common drama
Quarterly/Required Writing:
◘ Independent Reading - Non-Fiction
Poetry & Figurative Language three-part Assessment
Quarterly/Required Writing:
(MC, Fig Lang analysis, Essay)
PARCC-like 3 text assessment; Raisin+ MLK Speech + L.Hughes
Poem
Third marking Period
Fourth Marking Period
◘ Warriors Don’t Cry: in-common memoir
◘Flowers for Algernon: in-common novel
◘ Root Study #1-5, all numbers, #5-10
◘Root Study #1-10 plus all numbers, #11-15
(Curr/Cour, Arch, Cycl/Orb, Min, Phon)
(Anthro/Homo/Hum, Dict, Port, Sym/Syn, Phil)
◘ Teenbiz 7-8 articles total (one per week)
◘Teenbiz 7-8 articles total (one per week)
◘ Independent Reading - Fiction
◘ Independent Reading - Non Fiction
Quarterly/Required Writing:
Quarterly/Required Writing:
Independent Reading – Book Trailer
Flowers for Algernon Assessment - Multi Choice & Open ended
Response
*Independent Reading Requirements: 8-1= 2 books per MP 8-2= 1 book per MP
Text(s)/Resources/Software:
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Beals, Melba Pattillo. Warriors Don’t Cry. New York, New York: Simon Pulse, 1994.
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York, New York: Penguin, 1958.
Keyes, Daniel. Flowers for Algernon. New York: Harcourt Books, 1994.
Leonard, Annie. The Story of Stuff: The Impact of Overconsumption on the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health –
And How We Can Make it Better. New York, New York: Free Press, 2010.
Schumacher, Julie, ed. dir. Snapshots, Literature for Young Adults, 2nd. Ed. Iowa: Perfection Learning Corp., 2009.
Vurnakes, Claudia. Words on the Vine, Thirty Six Vocabulary Units on Root Words. North Carolina, 1998. (Units 19 – 36 only)
Achieve 3000 (Teenbiz)
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Noodletools – West Essex Library Homepage
Quia.com
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Membean.com – Site for root word study
Smartboard technology
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Poetry.org – Site for poetry
Online newspapers - NY Times, Star Ledger
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Goodreads.com
Schoolwires – Homework and class website
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Edmodo
Turnitin.com – Grade Mark and Peer Mark
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Prezi
Maus-Colucci 2
Standards
Please find the English Language Arts Core Curriculum Content Standards on the following website:
http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards/english-language-arts-standards.
Grading and Department Policies:
Middle School Reading
Homework 5% (scored for completion)
Formative 30%
 Students are expected to engage in a
minimum of ½ hour of reading every
evening
 Additional homework will be detailed on the
HW board in class and on the HW website
and is due the next day unless assigned
otherwise.
 If you come to class without your
homework finished (even partially), or have
left it in your locker, full credit will NOT be
given – no exceptions!
 Late homework is NOT accepted unless
the student is absent.
 Do Nows & Closures
 Notecards
 Reading Check quizzes
 Guided Reading
questions
 Vocabulary Activities
 Free Reading Response
Summative 65%
 Formal Reading Response
Essays
 Socratic Seminar
 Dialectical Journal
 Vocabulary Quizzes
 Oral Presentations/Debates
 Open-ended Response
 Teenbiz
Assignments/Assessments
With respect to diverse learners, a variety of assessments will be incorporated each marking period.
It is understood that students will have the opportunity to review their graded assessments in class
and ask questions for clarification. Common assessments will be administered each marking period
in addition to a summer reading assessment.
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Late work loses 10% per day except excused absence.
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Excepting in-class timed writing, students may revise papers once to demonstrate improvement in all
areas except grammar and mechanics. The revision can earn up to twenty points more than the original
writing. All work will be produced according to MLA formatting criteria.
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Pupils are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. A pupil found guilty of academic
dishonesty may be subjected to a full range of penalties including, but not limited to, reprimand and
loss of credit for all of the work that is plagiarized.
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NO extra credit.
Genesis Online Grading Profile
All grades will be updated and maintained on the Genesis grade book in a reasonable and timely
manner in accordance with department policy. Students’ along with their parents are responsible to
check the site regularly to review their progress. If any questions or concerns arise, please contact the
teacher for clarification.
Materials Needed
As maturing learners you will be expected to keep and carry a neat and organized binder. Please be
sure to be prepared for class EVERYDAY with the following materials:
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Agenda – provided by the school
An Independent Reading book of your choosing
Any assigned in-common reading text
Binder & Binder Dividers
Pencil Pocket for Binder to include: pencils, Pens, highlighters, post-it notes
Maus-Colucci 3
Classroom Code, Consequences & Rewards
Code
1. Come to class on time - be prepared and
organized when you arrive.
2. Raise your hand if you want to speak or be
acknowledged.
3. ONE voice at a time! Speak positively and
appropriately.
4. Be an active listener; follow directions the
first time they are given.
5. Work quietly; DO NOT DISTURB others who
are working.
6. Stay on task; turn in assignments on time.
7. Be responsible for the things you do and say.
8. Keep hands, feet, and other objects to yourself (in
your personal space). Do not touch what doesn’t
belong to you.
9. Respect our classroom, school, and environment; do
not be wasteful or destructive.
10. Treat others as you would like to be treated; practice
compassion and courtesy!
11. No cell phones permitted in class (unless approved
by the teacher for a class related activity)
Consequences
Verbal Warning
Seat change (if necessary)
Discussion with teacher and/or Team
After school detention with teacher
Notification sent home to parent/guardian
Referral to administration
Severe misconduct will be dealt with immediately!
Rewards
Verbal Praise
Notes/emails home
Certificates
Extra Help
 We are flexible and we work together!
 I am available before and after school as well as lunch periods most days to assist students
with any confusion or questions with assignments or topics of study.
 If you are interested in attending a help class session please contact me ahead of time to set
it up.
 Remember don’t wait until the day before a test or assignment due date to come in for help
class - plan accordingly!
Absences/ Make- up policy
 Should a student be absent for any period of time it is the student’s responsibility to make up
the work missed in a timely manner.
 When possible, students are encouraged to check the homework via school website or contact
the teacher by email during their absence to stay informed.
 Students have the same number of classes missed to make up any missed assignments or
tests. (Ex. 3 days missed = 3 days to complete missed work)
 If a student is experiencing a lengthy absence he/she should contact the Team for
assignments and make arrangements to come in for help class to keep from falling behind.
*After reviewing all information, please complete the contract given to
you in class and return it to your teacher by the required due date.
Maus-Colucci 4
Mrs. Maus-Colucci Reading 8
Student/Parent Contract
2014-2015
Together with my parents/guardians, we have read and understood the syllabus information
detailing the contents and requirements of the course.
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Together - We have discussed what my responsibilities are as a student and what I can do to have
a successful school year.
Together- We will be responsible to check my grades and progress using the online Genesis
grade book program on a regular basis.
Student - I will do my very best to follow all school and classroom rules, be respectful of my
teachers and peers, and work hard on all assignments in order to be the best student and young
adult that I can be.
Student - If I am ever confused, have a question, or am having trouble in class, I will be sure to talk
to my teacher (as well as my parents/guardians) so I can take responsibility for my education as a
young adult.
Parent – If I have questions or issues concerning my student’s academic, social, or emotional
wellbeing I will reach out to the teacher or guidance counselor by email to arrange for further
discussion.
Parent – I will converse regularly with my student to be aware of classroom events and
assignments and to discuss topics relevant to the Reading curriculum.
Print Student Name: _______________________________
Period _____________
Student signature: ___________________________________
Date:________________
Parent Contact Information between 7:30am – 3:00pm:
Print Parent/Guardian Name: ___________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________________
Contact Phone #:____________________ Contact E-mail:_______________________
Print Parent/Guardian Name: ___________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________________
Contact Phone #:____________________ Contact E-mail:______________________
On the back of this page, please provide any additional notes, questions, comments, useful
information about you/your student that you feel I can benefit from this year.
I’m looking forward to a productive, fun, and educational year.
Thank you,
Mrs. M-C 
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