1. RMS Open House 8th Grade Language Arts Melissa Sony

2.  lived in Houston for most of my life - in Kingwood for 8 years  taught at Riverwood for 7 years  married with three children - son, 2014 KHS grad - off to - daughter, 10 th @ KHS - son, 7 th @ RMS  enjoy reading, running, movies, & outdoor concerts

3. Course Syllabus: First Semester Literature: short stories, poetry, non-fiction, and drama Students are expected to evaluate, analyze, and critique these selections in writing and oral discussion with increasing depth and complexity. Writing: creative (short story), argument (persuasive), research, and literary analysis. Students are expected to incorporate blended quotations, concrete details, commentary, and MLA format. Grammar: applied grammar, sentence composing, and varying sentence structure. Vocabulary: SAT vocabulary words through Knowsys weekly word lists and quizzes. Students will also study new words in context of reading assignments.

4. Literature Textbook Holt McDougall Literature - Grade 8 We will use a class set. Online Textbook info to come. RELA 8 - Interactive Reader workbook in addition to class set of textbooks and online textbook.

5. Class Novel Night – by Elie Wiesel Night – by Elie Wiesel Night is Elie Wiesel’s masterpiece, a candid, horrific, and deeply poignant autobiographical account of his experience as a teenager in the Nazi death camps. And in a substantive new preface, Elie reflects on the enduring importance of Night and his lifelong, passionate dedication to ensuring that the world never forgets man’s capacity for inhumanity to man. ** It is a good idea for students to have their own copies of novels to practice annotating, but it is not required. of novels to practice annotating, but it is not required.

6. Knowsys Vocabulary Vocabulary program used throughout Humble ISD in grades 6-8  New word list assigned each Friday (10 words)  Quiz each Friday (formative)  TEST (summative) after each five groups of words  Quizzes and Tests are cumulative  Word Group Lists and Alphabetical List with definitions are available on my website  Pre-made vocabulary cards are available for purchase @ myknowsys.com  iPhone and Android apps also available at myknowsys.com

7. Accelerated Reader  Novels are on a point value system. Students need to earn 20 points per nine week grading period.  Due dates are posted on my website  AR is a summative (test) grade  All tests must be taken on a computer in my room.  AR is an ongoing homework assignment

8. Grading Information Formative Assessments: 40% Formative Assessments: 40% Daily Work, Homework, and Quizzes Daily Work, Homework, and Quizzes Summative Assessments: 60% Summative Assessments: 60% Tests, Projects, and A.R. Tests, Projects, and A.R. Testing days Tuesday and Thursday Testing days Tuesday and Thursday

9. RMS Grading Policy All assignments will be accepted up to 4 days late. It is worth 80% of the earned grade the 1st day late; the 2nd day is 60% credit of the earned grade, the 3rd day is 40% credit of the earned grade, and the 4th day is 20% credit of the earned grade. After the fourth day late, no credit will be offered (“0” in grade book). Grade book Codes: – student absent; needs to complete for makeup work A – student absent; needs to complete for makeup work – student exempt from assignment X – student exempt from assignment - f inal grade; teacher has requested missing work & student has not complied O - f inal grade; teacher has requested missing work & student has not complied blank space – teacher has not yet entered grade blank space – teacher has not yet entered grade Make-up Work – district policy is 1 extra day per excused day absent

10. Tutoring 8 th Grade Wednesdays7:45-8:20 a.m. Other days/times by appointment *Anytime your child is absent, he or she needs to come to tutoring on the first morning back to check the “Absent” student file & to ask for clarification on missed assignments. **I encourage students to come to tutoring as much as needed. They can use that time to finish incomplete work, ask for help for help with certain assignments, or to catch up on reading. **Testing days are Tuesdays and Thursdays

11. Contact Info Web Site http://www.humbleisd.net/rms/msony Email melissa.sony@humble.k12.tx.us Remind 101 To receive text message reminders for ReLA tests & essay/AR due dates, sign up at: Enter: (832)924-7664 Text: @66c58 Classroom Phone 281-641-4856

12. How Parents Can Help Check planners. Check planners. Check grades online. Check grades online. Make sure students are reading. Make sure students are reading. Make sure students are reviewing vocabulary words. Make sure students are reviewing vocabulary words. Proofread essays, but don’t write or re- write. Proofread essays, but don’t write or re- write. Check the teacher’s website when absent. Check the teacher’s website when absent. Check the website to see if information is posted that will answer your question. Check the website to see if information is posted that will answer your question. E-mail questions. E-mail questions. DON’T bring their “forgotten homework” to school. DON’T bring their “forgotten homework” to school. Encourage independence. Encourage independence.

13. IT’S GREAT TO BE A LONGHORN! Thanks for coming! It’s going to be a great year.