CVMS 2014/2015

Ms. Stoller s 8th Grade Writing Class

Course Description: In this class you will write. Be prepared to write about a
plethora of topics; creating pieces of writing ranging from journal entries, letters,
and essays. Once again, in this class you will write. You are all writers and capable
of growing, learning, and effectively communicating your ideas.

Common Core State Standards: During the first quarter we will be focusing and
mainly assessing the Argumentative mode of writing. Following the Power
Standards as determined by the Newberg School District. Other standards will also
be simultaneously taught throughout the quarter as well. These are identified
under CCSS(Common Core State Standards).

Power Standard: 8.W.2 Write informative/expository essays (Summery version).

Grading Policy:
80% Assessment (Summative: tests, essays, projects, quizzes)
20% Practice (Formative: homework, exit tickets, Do Nows, grammar, roots)

Assessment Retake Policy:
- Students are required to retake the assessment after completing a retake
plan if the student earned a score lower than a 70%.
- Students may retake the assessment after completing a retake plan if they
earned a grade higher than a 70%.
- Teachers are only required to allow students one retake on an assessment.
- Highest assessment score is the final grade for that assessment.

Course Outline: 1st Quarter ~ September 3rd - November 1st
- Daily Journal entries
- Weekly Grammar
- Weekly Root Words
- Essays
- Monthly Grammar Tests
- Bi-Monthly Root Words Quiz

Norms for Ms. Stollers Classroom: First off, there will be a few aspects to the daily
flow of the classroom that you will need to familiarize yourself with if you want
grow and learn as a writer. Some of you may be thinking, why do I need to grow
and learn as a writer? I dislike writing. Why does it even matter? I am going to
become a (insert job title here) when I grow up anyway and do not need to know
how to write! I am here to tell you that no matter which career field you enter in
life, you will need to know how to be an effective communicator. Writing is the #1


CVMS 2014/2015
manner in which this is done. Also, if you tweet, facebook, vine, instagram, tumblr,
or use any social media venue to express various aspects about your daily life, you
will need to know how to better communicate yourself so that you do not look, well,
unintelligent. Just saying. :)

Daily, you will enter the classroom and be in your seats with your journals out
writing to the prompt on the board for a consecutive 5 minutes. There will be a
journal share time in which you will be asked to share your entry with a partner,
group, or the class.

Weekly, you will have grammar lessons and practice. These will be given out on
Mondays, assessed on Thursdays. You will also have weekly root word vocabulary
lists with instructional methods to help you learn them. Bi-Monthly quizzes will be
for your betterment of your educational lives.

Monthly, you will have essays. They will be at least 5 paragraphs in length.

Classroom Rules
Be Safe
Be Respectful
Be Responsible

Behavior Policy
Step 1: Reminder: a reminder will be given to any student who is not following
the classroom rules. Examples: Blurting out is disrespectful. Projectiles are not
safe. Not following instructions is irresponsible.
Step 2: Warning: a warning will be given to any student who is exhibiting
behavior deserving of a warning for the second time in that class period, or is not
following a different classroom rule but has already received a warning.
Step 3: MIR: Minor Incident Report. If the behavior continues and a student has
already received both a warning and a reminder, the student will have earned a
detention.
Step 4: Office (referral on the way). If by chance, the student has swiftly moved
through all three steps in a class period, the last step is being sent to the office with
a referral to Mrs. Pugsley or Mrs. Petrie, along with a call home informing your
parent of your behavior.

Contact Information: Email: stollerb@newberg.k12.or.us
Website: http://cvmslanguageartscore.weebly.com
Padlet: http://padlet.com/stollerb/iq53mihcwkp9