Ben Lebofsky Learning Support

 Language Arts are the subjects, such as reading, vocabulary, grammar, literature, speaking, and composition, which aim at developing the student's comprehension and capacity for writing and communication.  One of the many goals of this class is to examine the common themes and structures of literary text. Students will also have opportunities to develop their thinking by reading and responding, engaging in discussion and discourse, and writing for a variety of purposes.

 The smaller size of learning support classes allows for more individualized instruction, alterations for pacing, and goal directed instruction.  The structure of the class provides more opportunities for active participation and consistent success as we try to build student self-esteem.  Special attention is paid to the acquisition and effective use of specific reading strategies.

 The overriding theme of eighth grade Language Arts is determination. We will address this theme in the works we investigate, in a variety of writing and research projects, and in the choices we make everyday as we strive toward personal success.

 Once we get rolling, homework will include:  opportunities to practice reading skills: novels  literature guides  content terms  grammar review  vocabulary  composition  check the website for assignments and updates  Grading is based upon:  homework completion  performance on quizzes, tests, and projects.  I also evaluate participation and classwork completion. You will see these on the grade sheets, but these do not factor into overall grades. Feel free to ask your child about these grades and how they might impact overall classroom performance.

-maintains attentive, interactive & courteous role in class 4-contributions are on-topic (relevant) and appropriate -consistently prepared for class -shows respect for teacher, self and peers -usually attentive, interactive & courteous in class 3-contributions tend to be on-topic (relevant) and appropriate -usually prepared for class -usually shows respect for teacher, self and peers -is at times passive, inattentive or disruptive/discourteous 2-contributions are minimal or inappropriate -inconsistently prepared for class -must be reminded to show respect for teacher, self and peers -passive, inattentive or disruptive/discourteous in class 0-1-contributions are inappropriate; often uncooperative -unprepared for class -does not show respect for teacher, self or peers