Syllabus+2009-2010

= COURSE SYLLABUS = ** Objective: ** To explore **literary genres** such as the short story, poetry, drama, nonfiction and the novel. To expand **vocabulary** through literature and practical use of vocabulary in writing. To improve **writing** through essay writing, revising, and peer editing. To practice **grammar** techniques and skills through writing, reading, and practice. ** Texts/ Materials Needed: **  //Prentice Hall Literature-Grade Eight// // Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar // (stays in class) Novels, including: //Whirligig// // The Call of the Wild // //Across Five Aprils//

**__ Classroom Rules __** 1. Respect yourself. No abusive, threatening, or derogatory language. 2. Respect others and their property. Keep hands to yourself. 3. Be Prepared. Lose three points from responsibility grade for ANY missing materials! 4. Stay in your seat. Absolutely NO sitting on desk tops!! **__ Classroom Obligations: __** *  Restroom visits are granted in emergencies ONLY! Your pathfinder is required as a hall pass, and you must record date and time out on sign-out sheet by door. Please use time between classes for this purpose. You get **four** bathroom/nurse/locker visits per quarter. I will specify a page in the Pathfinder to use for each quarter. * Assignments will be accepted in **blue or black pen or pencil ONLY**. This includes all homework, class work, and tests. * Any talking during tests, quizzes or journal writing will result in a zero—NO QUESTIONS ASKED! This includes the time period when you are taking the test and the time until you are told ALL tests are in. *  Dismissal will be at my command, **not** when the bell rings. We will not leave until we have closed the lesson. Be patient, and don’t pack up early! * MAKE UP WORK MUST BE TURNED IN ACCORDING TO PATHFINDER RULES. You have as many days to make up assignments as you were absent. If you missed one day, your assignments must be turned in the day following your return to school. * Absent students are responsible for checking the assignment board. Any handouts or returns will be posted there. See my wiki for assignments while you are out: [|www.english8room103.wikispaces.com] * If an exam is missed, generally it will be made up the next class day. If not, it is the student’s responsibility to schedule a time to make up the exam within **one week** of the test day. * Homework is assigned 2-3 times a week. It is posted on my wiki: [|www.english8room103.wikispaces.com] *  Also the wiki can be used to access papers needed for class and for discussion questions. Join my wiki THIS WEEK! * Late work is a nuisance, but everyone slips up once in a while. So, late assignments will be accepted the following day for ½ credit. Do not make this a habit, or the privilege will be taken away. * Each quarter you start out with 50 points. It is like a perfect test grade! * Tardies to class will result in the loss or three points off the responsibility grade. After three tardies a one hour detention will be assigned. * Forgetting materials (pencil, book, notebook, etc) will also cost you three responsibility points. * Bonus opportunities will be added to your responsibility grade. Bonus points can be earned by participating in the bellringer or in games. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Wide Latin','serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">* <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; msobidifontweight: bold;">We will take notes daily. A minimum of date, standard, objective, and bellringer will be recorded. Unannounced (pop) quizzes will be given to assure that you are taking notes. When you are absent, you have one day to get caught up on notes. Be precise with this, you never know when a quiz is coming! <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Wide Latin','serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">* <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; msobidifontweight: bold;">You must purchase a notebook and have it with you every day!
 * __ Assignments __**
 * __ Responsibility Grade __**
 * __ Notebooks __**

I am available after school from 2:30 until 3:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Stop in to do homework or get help. If your grade is not acceptable or for small classroom infractions, you will be assigned mandatory academic detention on these days. A __loose__ schedule of units for this year is below:
 * __ After School Hours/ Academic Detention __**

August- September- Science Fiction: Ray Bradbury short story selections Essay: 3-2-1 September- //Flowers for Algernon//- Keyes October- Edgar Allan Poe Selections Poetry Unit I November- //Whirligig//- Fleischman December- Parts of Speech January- Winter Writing Workshop 4 PSSA essays February- //The Call of the Wild// Essay: compare/contrast March- Poetry Unit II Poetry Essay April- //Across Five Aprils//- Hunt Research Essay May- //The Diary of Anne Frank//- Frank June- Final Project- 100 things I like