English Language Arts Grade 8 Course Syllabus Mrs.

Pryor Inland Leaders Charter School 2011~2012 Welcome to 8th Grade English Language Arts! Much is expected of you as a learner this year. This syllabus is designed to help you understand clearly how you will be graded and what you need to do to succeed. NOTE: Students will be receiving letter grades this year, as opposed to the 1-4 grading scale in elementary school. Each class expectation has a point value attached; grades are earned based on the overall percentage of those points. The Grading Scale is located below: ILMS Grading Scale 98% = A+ 93-97%= A 90-92%= A88-89%= B+ 83-87%= B 80-82%= B78-79%= C+ 73-77%= C 70-72%= C69% = F (Notice that there is no grade in the D range.) Points are earned in the following ways:

Participation (10 points weekly): I expect learners to dive in, to complete and turn in daily homework, to be
discussing books and selections regularly, and to be writing thoughtful responses in their Wonderful World of Words Notebooks and writing assignments.

Homework (points can vary, usually 10 points): I only assign homework that I believe has educational value and
purpose in learning. As such, I expect what I do assign to be completed and turned in ON TIME (Late work will receive 50% credit only.)

Wonderful World of Words Notebook (10 points weekly): Each week learners will take careful notes of new
vocabulary they are learning, strategies that will enhance and supercharge their reading/writing experiences, and record and track the books and genres they are reading toward the 50-Book Challenge. Occasionally students will write me a letter in the Communication section of their WWW Notebooks explaining what they are currently reading and their thoughts about it. I will respond personally to each entry and value the correspondence as very important to our classroom environment and growth as readers.

Quizzes (points will vary) Tests / Projects (points will vary)

50-Book Challenge Assignment (250 points): We will all (notice I included myself) be reading at least 50 books
across the genres this year. While some will be required reading in literature circles or whole class, most will be readers choice. A particular emphasis will be placed on books that act as foundational literature for high school ELA courses.

Course Description and Objectives The following is an overview of the curriculum for this school year: Trimester One Public Speaking/Oratory: FORUM Historical Simulation Teaching Public Speaking and Listening Skills *Unit 1: Fiction and Nonfiction Is truth the same for everyone? *Unit 2: Short Stories Can all conflicts be resolved? Trimester Two *Unit 3: Types of Nonfiction How much information is enough? *Unit 4: Poetry What is the secret to reaching someone with words? Trimester Three *Unit 5: Drama Is it our differences or our similarities that matter most? *Unit 6: Themes in American Stories Are yesterdays heroes important today?
*Pearson LITERATURE: Reading and Language, Grade Eight (California Edition), 2010

Core 8th Grade Literature

Whole Class

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn- Mark Twain The Giver- Lois Lawry Across Five Aprils- Irene Hunt
Literature Circles

Bronx Masquerade- Nikki Grimes Slave Dancer- Paula Fox Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry- Mildred Taylor Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee- Dee Brown Deathwatch- Robb White Nightjohn- Gary Paulsen (sequel is Sarny, not studied in class) Soldiers Heart- Gary Paulsen
Suggested/Recommended

The River Between Us- Richard Peck Woods Runner-Gary Paulsen