1. WELCOME TO 8TH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS/READING Yellow Team Mrs
WELCOME TO 8TH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS/READING Yellow Team Mrs. Megan Winthrop

2. Our classroom theme this year is “Work Hard and Be Nice!”
Eighth Grade Language Arts and Reading Herrick Middle School Yellow Team Mrs. Megan Winthrop
 I am very excited to work with each one of your children this year and cannot wait for a fun year filled with challenges and learning!
Class Requirements
Each student is expected to come to class prepared, on time, and ready to learn. Students are required to bring all supplies, including their assignment notebook, which will be filled out at the beginning of the week and at the end of the period each day. All homework should be completed and turned in at the beginning of the class period.
Our classroom theme this year is “Work Hard and Be Nice!”

3. Absences
It is a STUDENT’S responsibility to turn in late work and get caught up when he or she is absent. In preparation for high school, I expect my students to contact me with questions about missed assignments, assessments or projects. I am available to meet with him/her one-on-one before or after school or during homebase. I will not be able to do this during class time. Students are reminded to check the absence folders by the door, when returning, for handouts that they may have missed. I also encourage to check my website and contact a friend. I am also available by and usually return s right away! Please help me in encouraging your student to be PROACTIVE when absent! s

4. Continued... Grading Please see attached Late Work Policy
Quarter 1: -25% each day with 4 days to turn in the assignment. Quarter 2,3, and 4: -50% for one day. Any student failing my class is strongly encouraged to stay after school at least once a week for extra help.
Communication
I believe that communication between the teacher, student, and parent is an imperative part of the learning process. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns. The best way to reach me is through and I will try to get back to you within 24 hours.

5. Curriculum Breakdown

6. Reading Reading is broken down between Literature and Informational Texts. I follow the state adopted Common Core Standards for grading.
RL- Reading Literature, RI- Reading Informational Text
(The capital letters are the categories and the bold words are the descriptors)
8RL. KEY IDEAS: Determines and analyzes key ideas and details of literature pieces:15%
8RL. STRUCTURE: Analyze the structure of texts through comparison of other texts and styles: 10%
8RL. INTEGRATION: Integrates knowledge and ideas by analysis and comparison of literary pieces to film and traditional written pieces: 5%
8RL. COMPLEXITY: Reads and comprehends literature at grade level expectations: 15%
Please note that Reading Literature would be considered novels, short stories, historical fiction, plays, etc. Reading Informational Text would be considered nonfiction pieces such as websites, newspaper articles, instruction booklets, etc. T

7. Reading continued: Reading Informational Text: RI
(The capital letters are the categories and the bold words are the descriptors)
8RI. KEY IDEAS: Determines and analyzes key ideas and details of nonfiction pieces:15%
8RI. STRUCTURE: Analyze the structure of texts through comparison of other texts and styles, including vocab: 10%
8RI. INTEGRATION: Integrates knowledge and ideas by analysis and comparison of pieces as well as assessing validity of claims and arguments: l5%
8RL. COMPLEXITY: Reads and comprehends informational text at grade level expectations: 15%

8. Language Arts Grading Standards
The grade breakdown changes each quarter depending on what curriculum we are covering at that time. I will notify students of the breakdown at the beginning of each quarter. This is Quarter 1:
8L-Mechanics (grammar): 15%
8L-Vocabulary (Growing Your Vocabulary workbook-roots, prefixes and suffixes and within read): 15%
8SL-Speaking/Listening (participation in class discussions, group discussions, presentations and following specific verbal instructions: 15%
8W-Process (The writing process- drafting, writing, editing, revising, conferencing, publishing) : 15%
8W-Purpose: (Writing in general- will include short pieces, formal essays, responses to writing and creative writing): 20%
8W-Research: (Research for reading and writing- direct instruction and self-guided) 10%
8W-Technology: (Use of technology for projects) 5%

9. Reading
There is a focus of small group instruction, working more with reading strategies. Groups will be based on ability, interests, strategies, etc. Groups will constantly be changing.
Variety of titles for Literature Circles & Reader’s Workshop
Short Stories
The Outsiders and Uglies- whole class novels
Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Times (A Midsummer’s Night Dream)

10. Reading Contd...
Nonfiction- We will be reading this every Friday for nonfiction Friday. Students may select the reading from magazines, editorials, nonfiction books, etc. It is encouraged they also read more nonfiction at home in the form of newspapers/websites, etc.
Fiction books centered around the Holocaust
Self-selected novels for free reading
Students will be setting reading goals each quarter and part of their Reading Literature Complexity grade will be based on meeting their goals.
I will also conference with students at least 1x a quarter to monitor progress and give students the opportunity for self-reflection

11. Grammar- This will be taught directly, as well as through writing and application
The sentence and its parts
Nouns
Pronouns
Verbs
Adjectives and adverbs
Prepositions

12. Writer’s Workshop Year long project working on a memoir
Students will constantly be writing in their spirals and will pick at least one per quarter to take through the entire writing process for a larger grade
I will conference with students as much as possible- my goal is every three weeks but I am always available for conferencing before or after school- let me know ahead of time.
My goal is to get students writing more frequently and to find the writer inside themselves
More creative writing!

13. Downers Grove North Three options for ninth graders:
English – regular class
Interdisciplinary- co-taught with history
Honors- Very rigorous and must be recommended
How can my student get recommended for honors?
Explore Scores (score 20 in the reading section– test is taken in October)
If a student is interested in being in the honors class, he or she should sign up for the writing prompt through the high school (they will contact you with those times via mail)
Teacher recommendation (a student that is actively seeking out challenges, regularly participates in class, and goes above and beyond what is expected)
Grades- the student must maintain an A average for the entire 7th and 8th grade years