1. Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. -Groucho Marx

2. Ankeney Middle School Program of Studies: The 8 th grade honors English class:  Is accelerated and performance-based  Is Designed for students who desire challenge and master material quickly  Provides ample opportunity for higher level thinking

3. Ankeney Middle School Program of Studies: The 8 th grade honors English student:  Should expect to encounter challenging reading assignments  Write effectively  Be able to discuss intellectually both controversial and non-controversial ideas  Must demonstrate self-motivation, persistence, & the ability to work independently.  Should expect homework assignments most evenings.

4. Qualities of the 8 th Grade Honors English Student: Motivation to accept challenging tasks Ability to multi-task and use time management skills Innovation, interest and curiosity when attacking every task Readiness to participate in class discussion Respect for others and their opinions, especially those that differ from your own Loyalty to an honor system A willingness to persevere when it is difficult Integrity to own a positive attitude and accept constructive criticism

5. What you get out of this class is directly proportional to what you put in! What is most central to your learning is the acquisition of skills necessary to access knowledge and understanding on your own. Satisfaction does not come with achievement, but with effort. Full effort is full victory. ~Mahatma Gandhi

6. What you can expect next year: All topics, materials, units will follow the state standards, but our study will be more in depth. 7 th grade language arts is broken down into two separate classes- reading and English, enabling more classroom time for various activities. 8 th grade language arts combines both the reading and English curriculums into one core class, forcing us to use our time more sparingly for activities that can be completed at home.

7. What you can expect next year: Summer Project: 2 projects when school resumes to help us get to know your literary and writing backgrounds. Review of Literary Terms throughout the year including tests, quizzes and application in reading and writing

8. What you can expect next year: Vocabulary: This will be an independent study that will help to increase vocabulary in addition to in- context vocabulary we will pick up while reading. Independent reading to be completed at home- at least 2-4 books per month- 6-8 is a fantastic goal. (Longer books can be negotiated to count as more than one.)

9. What you can expect next year: Writing is an integral part of this class and will therefore be woven into the curriculum both formally and informally in all units.  Formal writing pieces are expected to be taken through the writing process, showing multiple rough drafts before being taken to a final copy. Oral communication skills are also addressed in various and enriching activities.

10. What you can expect next year: Technology- you will be exposed to and expected to use various forms of technology, however we will not use the computer labs for word processing. All word processing will be completed at home. Typed final copies are encouraged but not required. Research paper unit, in which you will refine your researching and writing skills including proper use of MLA parenthetical in-text citation and works cited page. Research presentation

11. What you can expect next year: We will read several required novels in addition to some novels of your choice. Novel units will include literary analysis work, essays, exams, and group and independent projects which can include some outside research. Reading of various nonfiction materials culminating with an individual or group project, which includes a research component.

12. You can do it! Taking 8 th grade honors English, foreign language and honors math can be a large class-load, including a good amount of homework. If you excel in language arts and you are motivated to take 8 th grade honors English, you can do all of these things. Many students who have come before you have been successful and very much enjoyed the class. Many students have come back from the high school to share with us their continued successes in the scholarship and honors classes in 9 th grade.