8th Grade Language Arts Syllabus

2019-2020

Teacher: Mrs. Vanek

E-mail: avanek@northstarcharter.org
Website: www.avanek.weebly.com

Textbooks: Voyages in English, Writing & Grammar Loyola Press

Expeditionary Learning Literature
Vocabu-Lit Vocabulary

Novels: A Mighty Long Way by Carlotta Walls Lanier, The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, To Kill A
Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai. Within each unit, we will
also be completing other readings that support our main unit novels.

Welcome to 8th Grade Language Arts class!

Eighth grade Language Arts will focus on reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, and the analysis of
literature.

Objectives for this course:

● To develop proficiency in the conventions of the English language.
● To prepare students for the reading and writing skills needed for life, as well as, those needed in
high school, college, and beyond.
● To enable students to assume responsibility for his or her own learning.
● To develop and enhance note taking skills and organization.
● To become a resourceful thinker in rationalizing relevant v/s non-relevant information.
● To learn the skill of analyzing and evaluating literature and to explain and communicate it in
formal writing.
● To master the skills necessary in writing a literature critique and supporting judgments with
textual evidence that is relevant and logical.
● To master the ability to write formally using literary terms and higher level vocabulary.
● To master the ability to select styles of writing and vocabulary that is suitable for the intended
audience.
● To use various forms of technology in creating individual and group projects.

All daily and weekly assignments will be conveyed in class and also during Advisory period. All other
accessible materials can be found on my website at www.avanek.weebly.com.

Course Outline
During the week, students will be reading and analyzing short works of literature, completing grammar
work, writing, and vocabulary building.

I. Reading and Analysis

A. Novels
One novel per quarter will be read as a class. These novels will be analyzed for literary
elements. These units will include various assignments/activities (including projects and papers)
that will reflect evaluation of things like character, setting, tone, theme, meaning to individuals,
etc.
B. Book of the Quarter (4) BOOK PROJECTS
You will read 4 books ON YOUR OWN (one per quarter). The genre of the book will be
found on my website under “Book Reports.” You will then write a review of this book and
complete a project to present to your classmates.
C. Literature - Analyzing and interpreting:
Short Stories, poetry, fiction, nonfiction and dramas will be read in class in order to identify:
1. Literary Elements
2. Figurative language and imagery
3. Purpose/ Messages
II. English
A. Grammar- Supplementary Text: Voyages in English
You will learn how to use/about and discuss the importance of learning the following topics:
A. Conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
1) Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) in general and their
function in particular sentences.
2) Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice.
3) Form and use verbs in the indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and
subjunctive mood.
4) Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb voice and mood.
B. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and
spelling when writing.
1. . Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break.
2. Use an ellipsis to indicate an omission.
3. Spell correctly.
B. Writing- Text: Voyages in English
Each quarter you will focus on writing one BIG paper. These will be assigned at
mid quarter and various smaller pieces will be worked on in class. At the end of each
quarter, students will turn in a completed paper (One informative, one expository,
one
argumentative, one reflection).

C. Vocabulary- Text: Vocabu-Lit

You will build vocabulary through activities such as fill in the blank, antonyms,
synonyms, choosing the right word, word games, etc. Each unit will be reviewed
every 5 weeks.

Your Success/Grade In This Class Will Depend On:

● Doing ALL assigned work/retakes with honest effort
● Turning work in ON TIME and CONSISTENTLY
● Coming to class PREPARED and on time
● Making up all missed assignments/tests and retakes
● Participating in in-class discussion
Rules and Consequences
1. Class Attendance
▪ You are expected to arrive to class on time, every day, and be ready to learn and
participate! :)
2. Preparedness
▪ You are expected to be prepared for class. This includes having all daily materials as well
as having read/completed any homework assigned.
3. Assignments are due on time.
▪ Homework is only accepted the day it is due UNLESS AN EXCUSED ABSENCE IS
REPORTED.
● Homework will come in the form of any assignments - or in-class work - that we
worked on but not finished during class time.
▪ If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to make up any work you missed.
There are several ways you can find out what work you have missed:
▪ Weebly Website
▪ Ask a peer
▪ Email Mrs. Vanek at avanek@northstarcharter.org
Any work you miss will be done within the number of excused absences (1 day
excused absence = 1 extra day to complete assignment, 2 days of excused absences =
2 extra days to complete assignments, etc…) Anything not completed within a
reasonable time worked out between student and teacher, will receive a 0 in gradebook.
4. Retakes
▪ You are allowed retakes!
▪ To complete a retake, you will have to come in during Advisory period.
▪ You have 1 week from the date the assignment is returned to complete all
necessary retakes unless otherwise arranged.
5. Respect
▪ Always show respect to yourself, the teacher, and your classmates.
▪ Disrespect WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. This class is a learning environment where
everyone should feel safe and know that their ideas and comments are valued.

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHEATING of any kind IS UNACCEPTABLE & WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. If you are caught
cheating or plagiarizing, you will receive an automatic zero with no chance of an alternate assignment
and will result in a parent-teacher conference. Also, if you are allowing someone to cheat off you, the
same consequences apply.

TUTORING/ADDITIONAL HELP- I am available for students needing additional help with

Language Arts assignments and for students to make up tests/quizzes. If your student needs to stay after
school, please send me a note or an email at least two days prior of your requested date so that I can
make the appropriate arrangements.

FINAL NOTE:
I encourage my students to ask questions!! There are no dumb questions– they help you learn and it
shows you are thinking, and most likely someone else is wondering the same thing. Also, I am here to
help you anytime you need it! Don’t wait unit you get behind to come and talk to me. Pull me aside
during lunch or leave me a note to let me know if you are confused about something and I will be more
than happy to help you. Parents, I would LOVE for you to contact me at any time about anything you
would like to talk about regarding your student and my class.

North Star 2019-2020 STUDENT SUPPLY LIST 7TH AND 8TH Grades
Individual Supplies
◻ 1 3-inch binder (zippered prefered) with 6 pocket dividers
◻ 1 Pencil pouch (that can be clipped in 3-ring binder)
◻ REQUIRED for both grades Graphing Calculator Ti-84 Plus or Ti-84 Plus CE (These usually go on
sale in August at Walmart and/or Staples)
◻ 2 Graph paper composition notebooks (math)
◻ Personal supply of pencils/pens
◻ 4-pack of different colored highlighters (1 pink, 1 yellow, 1 green required)
◻ Colored pens (any color except black)

7th grade only:

◻ 2 College-ruled composition notebooks (science)
◻ 1, 5-subject notebook (ELA)

8th grade only:

◻ 15 sheet protectors (science)
◻ 1 package of 3x3 post-it notes - any color (ELA)
◻ 2, 2-subject college-ruled spiral notebook (ELA)
◻ Compass (used 4th quarter in math) - optional

Community Supplies (will be distributed among classes to ensure we have enough to last throughout
the year)
◻ 24 wooden pencils
◻ Scissors (Adult size)
◻ 4-pack (or more) of Expo markers (not fine-tipped)
◻ 12-pack or larger markers (fine-tipped or regular)
◻ 1 pack of college-ruled paper
◻ 4 glue sticks
◻ 3-pack Kleenex
◻ 2-pack Clorox/disinfecting wipes
◻ 1 pkg 3x5 notecards

Last names beginning with:

◻ A-M: Large bottle of hand sanitizer
◻ N-Z: Extra packs of Kleenex (we always run out by 4th quarter!)

Mrs. Vanek’s 2019-2020 Student/Teacher/Parent Agreement

Student: ___________________________ Grade:_____________________________

I, Mrs. Vanek, (teacher) pledge to honor the teaching profession by providing quality learning
assignments and lessons that are based on Common Core State Standards. I pledge to listen to
comments and concerns in a respectful manner. I understand that your child’s success in school
is based on three parties fully working together (teacher, student, parent) and will do my part to
guide your child throughout this academic year.

I, ________________________, (student) pledge to be a respectful participant while in Mrs.

Vanek’s classroom. I will follow the set rules, participate in class discussions, and complete my
classroom and homework assignments by their expected due date. I will come to class with the
proper materials and will be prepared to learn. By signing this I have read Mrs. Vanek’s
expectations. I know the supplies she expects her students to have on a daily basis.

I, _________________________, (parent) have received a copy of Mrs. Vanek’s class syllabus

and I understand the rules and expectations set forth. I pledge to help reinforce these rules and
expectations every night at home. If I have questions regarding my child’s successes or failures,
I pledge to contact the teacher(s) via face-to-face contact, phone call, or email. I understand that
my child is responsible for collecting their missed work and coming to class prepared each day
(including bringing necessary worksheets). I also understand that my child needs to make
contact with their teacher to resolve issues before I step in, in order to promote self-advocacy.

Parent, please initial any that apply:

_____ My child has access to a computer and printer at home.

_____ My child does NOT have access to a computer and printer

_____ My child does NOT have access to internet at home.

Student Signature:________________________________________ Date:________________

Parent Signature:_________________________________________ Date:________________

Teacher Signature: Mrs. Vanek Date: 8/15/2019