Mrs.

Christiansen’s 8th Grade English Syllabus

Larson Middle School
2017-18
Contact Information:

Room 801 (Classroom Phone: 248-823-4846) Visit our Classroom Website!

Larson Middle School Phone: 248-823-4800
Email: cchristiansen@troy.k12.mi.us http://mrschristiansenlarson.weebly.com/
Twitter: @ChristiansenLMS
6th Hour Conference (1:41-2:38)

Overview:
In 8th Grade English, we will integrate reading, writing, speaking and listening, and critical
thinking skills. One of our important goals is to foster and support a life-long love of reading and
writing so that our literary experiences extend beyond the classroom and throughout our whole
lives. Reading instruction will include text analysis and discussion within all genres of literature.
In addition, we will have silent independent reading each day, and students are expected to always
have their book with them in class.

Reading at home is essential for students and is a requirement for this class. Students have
individually calculated how many pages they should be reading each week based on a 2 hour weekly
reading goal. I will confer with students each week to check their reading progress.

In writing workshop, we will write primarily in the argument and informational genres. Vocabulary
and grammar will be taught through the reading and writing process.

In addition to our academic learning, we will develop and reinforce the four
pillars of our Larson STRONG program each and every day. Students will be
expected to:
• Be responsible (for their property and what they say & do)
• Be resilient (by bouncing back when faced with adversity)
• Be respectful (of the people in our class and their ideas)
• Build relationships (with me, their classmates, and others outside our
class)

Supply List:
Each day, students should have the following supplies with them in class:
1. Silent reading book
2. pencils
3. Five-subject notebook with pockets
4. iPad (charged)

When we begin our research papers, students will also need index cards. It is not necessary to bring
them to class until then.
It is essential that students come to class prepared each day. If acquiring any of these supplies is a
problem, please let me know and I will get you what you need.

Homework:
Students are expected to read at home and school for a total of 2 hours per week. Other homework
will be assigned at the teacher’s discretion.

Grading:
Students will be graded on the following scale:

98 --100 A+ 78 – 79 C+
93 – 97 A 73 – 77 C
90 – 92 A- 70 – 72 C-
88 – 89 B+ 68 – 69 D+
83 – 87 B 63 – 67 D
80 – 82 B- 60 – 62 D-
59 and below E

Late Assignments:
Major assignments, such as projects, presentations, and papers, will be marked down 10% each day
they are late.

Parental Involvement:
It is my hope that parents will be actively involved in their child’s education at Larson Middle
School and in our class. Please make sure that you access Schoology to stay on top of your child’s
progress, and do not hesitate to contact me regarding any problems and/or successes you wish to
discuss. Parents can also help their children by making sure they complete their at-home reading
and homework on time. I look forward to speaking with you at open house, conferences, or any time
you wish to speak with me.

Discipline Policy:
Larson Middle School has a standard discipline policy, and our classroom will comply with that
policy and the school’s Student Behavior Expectations.

STEP 1: Verbal warning and conference

STEP 2: Classroom intervention

STEP 3: Parent Contact

STEP 4: Office Referral

(Note: Students will receive a detention if their name is left by a substitute teacher.)