1. Welcome to Mrs. Gaca’s 8 th and 9 th Grade ELA Email: cgaca@bmcss.orgcgaca@bmcss.org Phone: (815) 932-7413

2. Expectations  Be on time for class  Turn your homework in on time  Study for tests  Participate in class  Ask questions  Be respectful  Do your best

3. Homework for 8 th and 9 th Grade  Homework for class will consist of writing, answering questions, and practicing skills learned in class.  I like to give more than 1 day to complete homework when possible  All homework for 8 th and 9 th Grade can be found on the Bishop McNamara website under Grade 7-8 Kankakee  A calendar will let students know of homework due dates and test dates  Studying is considered homework  Students should review notes and vocabulary for a few minutes each night in preparation for a test

5. 9 th Grade English Literature  Read and analyze short stories, dramas, poetry, novels, and nonfiction text  Analyze study techniques and how to develop good study habits  Identify literary elements such as plot, theme, foreshadowing, figurative language, parallel structure, characterization etc…  Cite evidence to prove points  Develop vocabulary through Greek and Latin roots  Writing and Grammar  Study the writing styles of famous authors and emulate them  Write narrative, expository (research-based), argumentative/persuasive, literary analysis, and poetry pieces  Use proper punctuation, capitalization, and grammar  Improve sentence structure through the application of compound and complex sentences  Understand and apply MLA format for citations

6. 9 th Grade English  Grading Scale  100-90=A  89-80=B  79-70=C  69-60=D  59 and below=F  Late Policy  Turned in on the date due=100% of the total points  One day late unexcused=80% of the total points possible  Two days late unexcused= 50% of the total points possible  Three or more days late unexcused=0 points for the assignment  5 late passes are allowed each semester and not cumulative

7. 9 th Grade English Students will take a final exam in December which will cover vocabulary and information taught during the first semester. Students will take a second final at the end of the year which will also cover vocabulary and information taught during the second semester. Students should keep all tests as a review for the final. Students will also have a unit on library research skills. They will be introduced to our research database to be used in writing their research paper in the spring.

8. 8 th Grade English  Literature  Students will read short stories, poetry, nonfiction articles, and novels (The Giver by Lois Lowrey, and 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Stephen Covey)  Students will use literary elements such as plot, theme, characterization, figurative language, foreshadowing, and symbolism to comprehend text  Students will cite evidence both explicit and implicit  Students will use inference skills to analyze literature  Language Arts  Comprised of Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Speaking and Listening  Students will write in the forms of narrative, expository (including research), argumentative/persuasive, and poetry  Students will participate in discussions with their peers  Students will use phrases and clauses to improve sentence structure  Students will study Greek and Latin roots  Students will study MLA and APA format for citations  Students will participate in the Illinois Literary Speech Contest

9. Illinois Literary Speech Contest  Each 6 th -8 th Grader will participate in the IESA Literary Speech Contest.  This year’s contest will be on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at St. Anne Grade School.  Contest will begin promptly at 8A.M. and end around noon.  Parents are responsible for driving their student to and from the contest site.  Students already have their speeches and are working on memorizing them. Testing of memorization of the first half of the script will take place on September 14 th. The final memorization test will take place on September 28 th.  During October, students will practice actions with their memorized lines during class.  As and IESA rule, all students must be passing their classes in order to participate at contest.

10. Ways to Help Your Student Become Successful at Speech Contest  Practice being the other character in the speech while your child says his/her lines  Set goals of memorizing 2-3 lines each night  Say lines while performing an action  Always begin at the beginning of the speech every time you practice.

11. 8 th Grade Literature and Language Arts  Grading Scale  100-93=A  92-85=B  84-77=C  76-70=D  69 and below =F  Homework is worth 10% of total points  Classwork/Products are worth 40% of the total points  Tests/Quizzes are worth 50% of the total points  Grades will be posted in School Speak on Wednesdays  Your student will receive 2 grades from me—Literature and Language Arts

12. 8 th Grade Writing Class  The purpose of the writing class is to provide help with Science Fair writing and to provide additional writing support with other subject areas  This is not a graded class that will be visible on School Speak or on the report card