The following tools are recommended to help keep you organized: ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 8 Bastrop Middle School 2018-2019 COURSE SYLLABUS Course Description Students will read from various genres throughout the school year in order to analyze literature. Through these pieces, students will infer, summarize, draw conclusions, and look at the elements of each specified genre. Students will also write for multiple purposes that correspond to the different genres. As a part of the writing process, students will learn various revising and editing skills to positively impact their communication skills, including gradually more difficult grammatical structures. Ms. Malone/Mrs. Chapin amalone@bisdtx.org mchapin@bisdtx.org (512) 772-7400 Page 1, Option 1/4 Supplies An important part of middle school is developing effective organizational strategies and habits. The following tools are recommended to help keep you organized:   1 package 3x3 Post Its I pocket folder with brads (Academic) or 1 3-ring binder with dividers (Pre-AP) 1 composition book 1 package glue sticks 1 spiral notebook Units of Study POETRY INFORMATIONAL FICTION PROCEDURAL PERSUASION MYTHOLOGY NONFICTION RESEARCH DRAMA

U.S. History 8 Bastrop Middle School Ms. Malone 2018-2019 COURSE SYLLABUS Course Description The purpose of this course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the development of the United States through analysis, annotation, and evaluation.  Students will gain an understanding of the factors leading to colonization, the affects of colonization, the reasons for and development of  the United States, and the development of American government.  The course will cover US History from colonization through Reconstruction after the Civil War.  Every attempt possible will be given to have students evaluate our country’s early history through critical thinking, primary sources, analysis, and evaluation. Ms. Malone amalone@bisdtx.org (512) 772-7400 Page 1, Option 1/4 Supplies An important part of middle school is developing effective organizational strategies and habits. The following tools are recommended to help keep you organized:   1 3 subject spiral notebook I package of glue sticks 1 box colored pencils or markers 1 box Kleenex 1 box pencils 1 box highlighters Units of Study EXPLORATION AGE OF REFORM COLONIZATION SECTIONALISM REVOLUTION CIVIL WAR CONSTITUTION RECONSTRUCTION EARLY REPUBLIC AGE OF JACKSON WESTWARD EXPANSION

“BOOKS ARE A UNIQUELY PORTABLE MAGIC.” – Stephen King Assignments are due on the specified date. If the assignments is not returned on the assigned date, 10 points will be deducted off the grade earned for each day that the assignment is late. Bottom line, stay on top of your assignments. Late Work MAJOR GRADES (60%): A minimum of 3 major grade assignments will be given per six weeks. All students are allowed to correct or retake any major grade assignments for a maximum of a 70 within 3 days of the assignment begin returned. DAILY GRADES (40%): A minimum of 7 daily grade assignments will be given every six weeks. Grading Weekly Homework Students will be sent home weekly vocabulary assignments, as well as Articles of the week. The vocabulary will be assessed with a test after each specified unit. Page 2, Option 1/4 Major Assignments Each student will be required to read at least one novel from a different genre each six weeks and complete a written reading analysis of that novel. Students will also receive one out-of-class short story or nonfiction test, which they will have one week to complete. Class Expectations BE PREPARED Come to class on time. This means being in your seat at the start time, focused and ready to learn. Come to class with the necessary supplies. BE RESPECTFUL Respect yourself and others. Respect our class time and our materials. DO YOUR BEST Be responsible for your learning; work hard and do your best. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

“We are not the makers of history. We are made by history.” – Martin Luther King Jr. Assignments are due on the specified date. If the assignments is not returned on the assigned date, 10 points will be deducted off the grade earned for each day that the assignment is late. Bottom line, stay on top of your assignments. Late Work MAJOR GRADES (60%): A minimum of 3 major grade assignments will be given per six weeks. All students are allowed to correct or retake any major grade assignments for a maximum of a 70 within 3 days of the assignment begin returned. DAILY GRADES (40%): A minimum of 7 daily grade assignments will be given every six weeks. Grading Homework Students will be given homework throughout the school year. The homework will always be due at the end of the week when assigned. Page 2, Option 1/4 Major Assignments Each student will be required to complete a minimum of 4 Document Based Questions per year. Each DBQ will include an essay portion. Every six weeks, each student will complete a notebook check as a major grade, which will be used as a review of content from that six weeks, Class Expectations BE PREPARED Come to class on time. This means being in your seat at the start time, focused and ready to learn. Come to class with the necessary supplies. BE RESPECTFUL Respect yourself and others. Respect our class time and our materials. DO YOUR BEST Be responsible for your learning; work hard and do your best. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.