8th Grade Language Arts @ Nelsen Middle School
Ms. LeBaron | [email protected] | (425) 204-3046 |Room 206
Classroom Website: http://staff.rentonschools.us/nms/ms-lebarons-8th-grade-la-class
Our Purpose: To explore, interpret, discuss, and debate issues that affect our lives, society, and world
through the use of literature, non-fiction texts, and writing, and speaking and listening.
Every day, students must come to class prepared by bringing:
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A working pen or pencil
Reader’s Workshop Notebook (composition notebook preferred; spiral notebooks will fall apart)
Independent reading book (students are expected to read 30+ minutes a day outside of class time)
Recommended supplies for Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop include:
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Bookmark
Highlighters
Post-It Notes
Tape or glue
Colored Pencils
Snapshot of the Year:
Quarter 1:
Quarter 2:
Quarter 3:
Quarter 4:
Reading:
Narratives: Who We Are and
How We Came to Be.
Reading:
Science & Science Fiction:
Concepts and Controversies
(Fiction & Non-Fiction)
Reading:
Exploring Perspectives in
History: Examining Works of
Historical Fiction (NF also)
Writing:
Writing:
Personal Narratives & Theme Argument Writing &
Extended Responses
Presentations
Theme Extended Responses
Speaking & Listening:
Speaking & Listening:
Building Partnerships &
Responding to All
Extending Talk
perspectives; Socratic
Practice Socratic Seminars
Seminars; Presentations
Writing:
Literary Essay
Theme Extended Responses
Reading:
Give me Liberties! Using
Book Clubs to Examine the
Empowerment and
Disempowerment of
Different Groups in America
(NF also)
Writing:
Extended Response &
Literary Essay
Speaking & Listening:
Continued Partnerships &
Socratic Seminars
Speaking & Listening:
Continued Partnerships &
Socratic Seminars
Grading
Students will receive three types of grades throughout the quarter: academic, effort, and community skills.
The academic grade is based on assessments such as extended responses to reading, informative or argument
essays, and participation in Socratic Seminars and other formal discussions. Students can revise these
assessments to improve their academic grade. That process is described below. Students will also be assigned
“formative” grades on specific standards to help communicate their process towards skill proficiency.
The effort grade reflects preparedness, participation, and process work. All effort work is meant to support
students’ progress toward the assessments. If students are worried about their academic grades, they should
first look at their results on this effort work to predict how they will do on an upcoming assessment and/or to
figure out how to improve their scores.
Finally, the community skills grade is meant to assess the skills and habits that students will most need to
succeed in high school and beyond, including the use of active listening skills, the demonstration of respect for
the voice of others, and the valuing of instructional time and materials.
Improving Your Grade
Student can improve their grades by:
 Turning in late or missing assessments
 Revising work based on written and verbal feedback
To revise their work, students must:
1. Review the written feedback provided through the use of rubrics or other comments
2. Discuss with Ms. LeBaron any misunderstandings in the assessment expectations
3. Revise the assessment outside of class time, such as at home or at Homework Club
4. Resubmit the assignment, attached to the back of the original piece with the graded rubric still on top
Resources to Help your Student Succeed in Language Arts:
Classroom Website:
A classroom website is available as an outside resource for students and families to look at the calendar for
upcoming assessments, use the “Documents” folder for extra handouts or missed work, and the “Contact” link
to email me without needing an email address. This website is accessible from any web browser; it can be
found on the Nelsen Middle School website under Teacher Websites and then “Abby LeBaron” or here:
http://staff.rentonschools.us/nms/ms-lebarons-8th-grade-la-class.
Remind (formerly Remind101):
Remind is a free text program that connects teachers to both students and families without either party having
to share their cell phone number. I will be sending emails with updates and reminders; however, this tool may
be more useful for those who don’t use email often or would prefer quick short reminders. There will be
instructions sent home on how to join Remind.
Questions?
If you have any questions about these expectations, please email me at [email protected] or by
phone at 425-204-3046. You may also use the classroom website (SWIFT) if you do not have an email account
set-up: http://staff.rentonschools.us/nms/ms-lebarons-8th-grade-la-class. I am committed to responding
within one business day.
Classroom Donations:
Throughout the year any of the following items would be greatly appreciated to help our classroom run
smoothly.
 Tissues
 Colored Pencils
 Disinfectant Wipes
 Fine Point Markers
 Hand Sanitizer
 Clear Packaging Tape
To submit this family survey, separate it from your syllabus and turn it in by: Tuesday, 9/6
Family/Guardian Survey
Please help me to better understand your needs and goals by completing the following survey.
Student name: _________________________________________________________________
Parent/guardian name: __________________________________________________________
Preferred language: _____________________________________________________________
Parent/guardian email: __________________________________________________________
Parent/guardian phone: _________________________________________________________
Is this a (check box that applies):
Preferred contact method:
 Cell phone number?
 Text
 Phone call
 Home phone number?
 Email
What are some areas of strength for your student?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
What are some areas for growth, particularly in reading and writing, for your student?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Is there anything that you would like Ms. LeBaron to know in order to best support you and/or
your student this year?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Are you interested in your student taking advantage of Language Arts Help one day* per week?
_____________________________________________________________________________
*After-school help will be during an Activity Period (2:50-3:55) on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays
Thank you for your time!
To submit this permission slip, separate it from your syllabus and turn it in by: Tuesday, 9/6
Issues of Power Book & Film Study: 4th Quarter
During 4th Quarter, students will read texts within the framework of Issues of Power Book Clubs and then will
view a group film to help grow their understanding of the issues of power within our world today.
Proposed Book Club & Film Groups to Study:
1. Race & Power:
Books: The Rock & The River by Kekla Magoon; Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Film: Stand & Deliver (PG) or Glory Road (PG)
2. Gender Equality & Power:
Books: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson; The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart;
Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen
Film: He Named Me Malala (PG-13) or The Mona Lisa Smile (PG-13)
3. Disabilities & Power:
Books: The Silence of Murder by Dandi Daley Mackall; The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen; Five
Flavors of Dumb by Antony John.
Film: Radio (PG)
4. LGBTQ+ & Power:
Book: Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky & TBD
Film: Philadelphia (PG-13) or Kinky Boots (PG-13)
5. Immigration and/or Refugees & Power:
Book: Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario; Out of Nowhere by Maria Padian
Film: God Grew Tired of Us (PG)
+Whole-Class Films: The Blindside (PG-13) or Smoke Signals (PG-13)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Please select one of the following options by clearly marking it with an “X”
______ I am okay with my student reading in & watching a film from any group listed above
______ I am okay with my student reading in & watching any film listed above except
_________________________________________________________________________
______ I would like to be contacted at the beginning of 4th quarter to let you know my decision
once I talk with my student about the specific group they have selected to learn more about.
Student’s Name: ___________________________________________ Period: _____________
Parent / Guardian’s Name & Signature: _______________________________________________