Mr. Perry and Ms. Shulman's
8th Grade News
August 2009
Mr. Perry and Ms. Shulman’s Syllabus
8th Grade
2009 - 2010 School Year
Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians; Welcome to 8th grade at Communication with you is very important to us. Please feel free to contact us at school by phone or email with any questions or concerns. We are available between 7:20 - 2:45 p.m. If we are teaching or unavailable, leave a message with the best time to reach you, and we will get back to you at the first opportunity. Conferences can be scheduled upon request. Please, call us to set up an appointment, so we can make arrangements to be available. Student’s grades will be available to you through the Parent Portal in Power School. If you do not know your password, please contact the school secretary and she will be able to mail you a copy. Attached is a syllabus for your child’s reading, language arts, and U.S. history classes for the year. Please read over this carefully with your child, sign it, and return it to us. A second copy is attached for you to keep at home. We are looking forward to meeting you at Open House on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 6:30 P.M.
Mr. Perry and Ms. Shulman
Course Description / Objectives / Goals:
¶ Reading
Students will be able to come up with a reading improvement plan.
Students will be able to think critically about what he/she reads.
¶ Language Arts
Students will be able to use a variety of sentence structure.
Students will be able to show voice in their writing.
Students will be able to elaborate, have compelling introductions, non-repetitive conclusions, and use appropriate transitional words while using the writing process.
¶ U.S. History
Students will understand the development of the U.S. government from colonial times through reconstruction.
Students will understand and respect the rights and responsibilities of all people in the community and United States.
Analyze an issue that attempts to balance individual rights and the common good of all people.
Course Materials:
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¶ Reading The Language of Literature A variety of novels which may include, but isn’t limited to: My Brother Sam is Dead by: On Fighting Ground by: Nothing But the Truth by: Avi |
¶ Language Arts Step up to Writing 6 Traits Write Source 2000 Prentice Hall Grammar & Composition Silver Burdett English |
¶ U.S. History The American Nation We the People Project Citizen Career Unit A History of U.S. A variety of historical documents and resources. |
Supplies
¶ Supplies Needed Daily:
q Highlands Middle School Planner ~ School will provide first copy. Replacement cost is $7.00.
q Highlands Middle School ID ~ School will provide first copy. Replacement cost is $5.00.
q 3-4 sharpened pencils each day (recommend pocket pencil sharpener)
q erasers
q blue or black ink pen
q Red pencil or red pen for editing work
q Yellow, pink, blue, and green highlighter
q colored pencils and crayons ~ NO PERMANENT MARKERS ~ NO SHARPIES ALLOWED
q 3-ring binder with a divider for each class and folder for homework ~ CAN BE USED FOR ALL CLASSES
q notebook paper ~ 8 ½ X 11” in size
q A 3 subject spiral notebook 8 ½ X 11” (for reading)
q Composition book for history
q 1” 3-ring binder with 8 dividers for student portfolio
¶ Other items needed in the classroom (Donations):
q 3 glue sticks (might want to keep some in your locker incase no donations are received)
q 2 boxes of Kleenex (might want individual packets incase no donations are received)
q 1 package of 10 #2 pencils
q Clorox wipes to wash desks and hands as needed
q Large hand sanitizer
Grading / Assessment Standards
Grading / Assessment Standards:
¶ We will be using Standard Based Grading with the following grade scale:
A = 96% - 100% ~ Exceeds Standards
A- = 90% - 95% ~ Meeting Standards
B = 80% - 89% ~ Meeting Standards
C = 70% - 79% ~ Approaching Standards, Needs Improvement
D = 60% - 69% ~ Below Standards, Needs Improvement
F = 1% - 59% ~ Failing, Needs Improvement
INC = Incomplete ~ Nothing handed in
¶ Not all assignments will count toward the grade. Some assignments are just practice toward demonstrating standard.
Grades will be based on the following:
Assessments ~ 85% of grade
Assignments ~ 10% of grade
Other ~ 5% of grade
¶ Assignments will be graded with the following system:
2 = Completed on time
1 = Completed late
0 = Not completed at all
¶ In addition to the class expectations, students will receive a grade in the following areas:
Quality of Work / Citizenship / Ability to Meet Deadlines
Class Expectations
Class Expectations:
In order to have a great year together, everybody will need to work together so everyone can achieve success, learn, and become more mature in a pleasant class atmosphere. A good attitude will help make learning easier for all. Remember, you are here to WORK and LEARN. The following guidelines will help you achieve success.
1) Be in your seat, ready to learn when the bell rings (or class start time). Running in at the start of class does not constitute being on time. Copy the daily agenda from the board into planner and begin the entry task.
2) Listen when the teacher is talking, or to others who are addressing the class.
3) Bring proper materials to class; you will not be able to return to your locker during class time.
4) Work cooperatively with teacher and with cooperative learning groups.
5) Raise your hand and wait until you are called on before speaking.
6) No back talk. No put downs. Treat others as you expect to be treated.
7) Leave class when dismissed by teacher, NOT when the bell rings.
8) Treat substitutes and other visitors with courtesy and respect.
9) Leave coats, book bags, purses, fanny packs, cell phones, and ALL electronic devices in your locker. They are not allowed in any classroom! See planner for school policy regarding confiscated electronics.
Work Expectations
Work Expectations:
¶ All work is expected to be completed and handed in on their due dates!
¶ Every time an assignment is not handed in, students will need to fill out an “Assignment Alert” form. Students will also be expected to call home and let parents know they chose not to hand in an assignment on time and why.
¶ Certain assignments will still have to be completed in order to move onto the next step/assignment.
¶ All written final papers and projects are expected to be typed. Typed papers should be in Times New Roman, Arial, or Tahoma font, size 12. All rough drafts should be handwritten and double spaced.
¶ Whenever an assignment is handwritten, it should be legible. If we cannot read the student’s handwriting, he/she will have to rewrite the assignment legibly for partial credit.
¶ All assignments are expected to be headed in the following way:
First and Last Name Date Assignment AM / PM
Homework
Homework:
¶ Students will be expected to read at least 30 minutes a day at home, at least 5 days a week. A reading log will be part of their grade and students will respond to what they read.
¶ Whatever assignments are not completed in class will be expected to be completed at home and brought back the next day. Students should be logging work in their planners.
¶ All assignments will be thoroughly explained and students will have the opportunity to ask questions before they begin or leave the classroom.
¶ From time to time there will be projects or homework assignments to reinforce what we are working on in class. Students will be reminded of these assignments as well as expected to log them in their planner. Homework assignments should be highlighted so students can locate them quickly when looking in their planner.
Absences
Absences:
¶ Students that have an excused absence are given one day to make up daily work per each day they have been gone with an excused absence.
¶ At home reading requirements, preplanned assignments, and project due dates are to be maintained because they are known ahead of time. If absent on due date, assignment is due by 3:00 p.m. on the DUE DATE. This means it is the student's responsibility to make sure the assignment has been sent to school with a friend, neighbor, or mom and dad. Daily work is the only exception.
¶ It is the student's responsibility to make sure he/she picks up his/her work and arrange for make-up tests and quizzes. Tests and quizzes must be taken within 3 days after student returns; otherwise it will be a zero grade.
¶ Late work due to absences must have the word “ABSENT plus date of excused absence" written at the top of the paper or it will not be accepted.
¶ Students who are truant or have an unexcused absence may not make up daily assignments will receive a zero.
Behavior Expectations
Behavior Expectations:
¶ At Highlands Middle School, we use the "Make Your Day: Choose to Succeed" program. Please refer to the front of your child's planner for an explanation of the program. Students are expected to come to class prepared and ready to learn.
¶ NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO INTERFERE WITH THE LEARNING, SAFETY, AND WELL-BEING OF OTHERS
