LANGUAGE ARTS 8 - COURSE OUTLINE 2012/2013

Mrs. Gottschlich - room 312, telephone: 751-3827

email: gottschlicha@sd5.k12.mt.us

Access our class website for weekly plans, reference material,

assignments, and more at the staff website link on the KMS website.

This course is a literature-based class designed to develop an appreciation of great literature while enhancing critical thinking skills. A wide range of literature and informational text will be pursued with opportunities for interpretation and analysis. In addition, strategies to improve reading comprehension skills will be reviewed throughout the year.                                 

Native American short stories

Beowulf

The Call of the Wild

Autobiography (independent choice)

Shakespeare

Poetry

Students will develop and improve the writing skills determined by the Montana Office of Public Instruction as necessary for success in high school and beyond. Explanatory, narrative, and argumentative forms of writing will be taught and practiced, as well research, poetry, literary response, and reflective compositions.

Oral communication skills will be enhanced with multiple class presentations incorporating speeches, discussions, and an oral exam.

Other topics we'll cover throughout the year:

·                 Journal writing including personal explorations related to each unit

·                 Vocabulary development focusing on Greek and Latin roots

·                 Standard grammatical conventions including spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and agreement issues

GRADING will conform to the KMS language arts gradebook standards in 13 specific areas. Scores include 4 (advanced), 3 (proficient), 2 (nearing proficiency), 1 (novice), and 0 (no evidence). A student work ethic rubric will be used to assess preparation, participation, completion of work, time management in class, behavior, and timely work. Late work will be reflected in the work ethic score and will only be accepted during the current unit.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES may include, after an initial warning for inappropriate behavior, a seat change, time-out, Friday afternoon detention, team meeting, parent contact, and/or office referral.

Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Student in This Class:

You have the right to a good education and the responsibility to do your best.

Do your best by:

• Being ready to start class on time and be in your seat when the bell rings.
• Having your materials ready at your desk. Materials include: 3-ring notebook with your roots index cards, blank paper, blank 3”x5” index cards, pen, pencil, student planner, silent reading book, and any assignments that are due.
• Recording assignments that are noted on the Homework Board in your planner, working on those assignments daily until completed, and turning them in on time.
• Listening and participating with the class and its content.

You have the right to be treated fairly and have the responsibility to treat others fairly.

Treat others fairly by:

• Following all classroom and school rules.
• Respecting their differences.
• Refusing to pass judgment on others before you’ve really gotten to know them.
• Speaking to a teacher, administrator or counselor if you need help resolving a conflict.

You have the right to voice your opinions and have the responsibility to respect opinions of others.

Respect the opinions of others by:

• Listening attentively to your classmates and teachers.
• Politely acknowledging and responding to those opinions.
• Understanding that not everyone believes the same thing and that it’s ok to have different opinions.

You have the right to use school materials and have the responsibility to take care of those materials.

Take care of school materials by:

• Treating them as if they were your own and you’d like them to last a long time.
• Placing them back where they belong.
• Realizing that these materials are here for many others to use this year and in the future.

You have the right to a safe and comfortable environment and have the responsibility to follow the rules to keep it safe and comfortable.

Follow the rules by:

• Committing to practicing classroom rules as well as all school rules.
• Knowing and practicing the safety rules for fire, earthquake, and lockdown drills.