1. Common rules for class and school
Mrs. Kemmerling’s Class School Year
Language Arts and reading
“Literature is no one’s private ground, literature is common ground; let us trespass freely and fearlessly and find our own way for ourselves.” - Virginia Wolf
Course Description
Common rules for class and school
1. Follow directions
quickly.
 2. Raise your hand for permission to speak.
 3. Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat.
 4. Make smart choices.
5. Keep your dear teacher HAPPY.
 Class Expectations
Be in seat when tardy bell rings.
Put proper heading on all papers.
Do not use electronic devices in class without teacher permission.
Use restroom during passing breaks.
Maintain a clean and orderly work area.
Bring all of your supplies to class daily.
Complete all of your work and turn it in on time.
All BMS rules and policies shall be observed within the classroom.
Welcome to 8th Language Arts and Reading! Our focus this school year will be learning and developing our skills as critical thinkers, readers, writers, speakers, and listeners. The development and mastery of these important literary skills not only is important to achieving success in the Language Arts and Reading classroom, it is a critical component of achieving success in other school subjects, building strong relationships with others, and attaining a flourishing career as an adult. Basically, the quality of life you experience now thorough adulthood will depend a lot on how well you read, write, and communicate with others.
What do I get if I follow class rules?
Your appropriate behavior in class assures everyone of an environment conducive to learning. Some possible rewards for continuous appropriate behavior are: intrinsic value (satisfaction of learning), improved skills, verbal praise, positive note to parents, tangible trinkets, and special class activities / privileges.
What are the consequences if I don’t follow class rules?
1.General Reminder
2. Second Warning
3. Hall Conference
4.Lunch Detention
5.Phone Call/
6. Referral
Where do I go to find agendas and assignments?
On the Brazos ISD website for the middle school. This site will house the weekly agendas, assignment due dates, PDF copies of class handouts, important announcements, and more.
Remind: is where I will send reminders of any important dates, assignments or quotes for inspiration. This is a free app that can be downloaded on your cell phone. Please see the Remind handout attached to your syllabus..
What happens if I turn in an assignment late?
Work not completed and turned in by the assigned date is considered late. If a student is absent on the date work is due, the assignment is due the first day the student returns to school. COMPLETED LATE WORK will only receive partial credit (70% of the assignment total). INCOMPLETE LATE WORK will not be graded and will result in a zero for the assignment.

2. Mrs. Kemmerling’s Class 2016-2017 School Year
How will I check my grade in class?
Grade Breakdown
For Reading and Writing
Class progress reports will be sent home every Monday in paper form every two weeks. Parents and students are also strongly encouraged to check the Parent Portal on a weekly basis to view the most current grades for EVERY class.
Assessments / Quizzes = 20%
(vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammar)
Interactive Notebook= 20%
(graded on completeness & creativity)
Writing= 20%
(Weekly writing & process papers completed throughout the year)
Daily work= 20%
AR= 20 %
What do I do if I am absent?
Always check the class site for agendas, handouts, and assignment due dates. A student has two extra days to turn in any work assigned on a day a student was absent. If a quiz was administered on a day a student was absent, the quiz must be made up on the first day the student returns. If previously assigned work was due on the day of the absence, the work is due on the first day the student returns otherwise it is considered late and will only receive 70% credit.
Do I have to read outside of class?
All students will be expected to read independently on a daily basis. Students must bring a reading book to school so they are prepared for independent reading.
Supplies
Two composition books
One glue bottle or glue stick
College-ruled or wide-ruled filler paper
Multiple pencils
One chunky eraser
One set of 12 or more colored pencils
One handheld pencil sharpener
One set of four or more highlighters
One pair of scissors
Colored correcting pens
What types of writing will I do this year?
Personal Narrative: a story written about a memorable moment in a students life.
Persuasive: writing to argue for or against a topic using skills for persuasive writing.
Informative: writing in which a student will write to inform his/her audience of a chosen topic with thorough research.
Reasearch: students will learn how to choose important information as well as cite.
What novels will I read in class?
AR DUE DATES
Out of The Dust by Karen Hesse: Historical Fiction about a young girl trying to live life during the dust bowl. *John Newberry Medal Award*
Night by Elie Wiesel: A memoir of Elie Wiesel’s account during his time spent in concetration camps.
The Giver by Lois Lowry: A science fiction novel about a society in which everyone’s needs have been met, all are living in utopia, perfect and care free, or so they think.
Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry: The sequel to The Giver.
September 27
November 1
December 13
February 14
April 4
May 23
**Accelerated Reader tests will count as a daily grade each grading period. No late AR tests will be accepted. Students who are absent on the due date for AR testing will be required to complete testing by the end of the next day on which they return to school.
What is an Interactive Student Notebook?
The Interactive Student Notebook (ISN) is a portfolio of student work. The notebook is organized in a left-side and right-side format. Every right-side of the notebook will house teacher directed notes / activities, while left-side assignments will showcase student understanding of right-side material in a creative and unique manner.
A college-ruled composition book will be used for the ISN. 20% of the ELA grade is based on the ISN. The majority of classwork, notes, study guides, AND vocabulary, will be completed in the ISN, so it is imperative that it be complete and up to date.

3. Mrs. Kemmerling’s Class 2016-2017 School Year
Please Read the course information, sign, and return this sheet to Mrs. Kemmerling.
Students:
Please sign below to signify that you have read the course sheet for Mrs. Kemmerling’s class. You will keep it in your folder, be responsible for the information throughout the year, and will check Parent Portal at least twice per week at school or at home.
_______________________________ _____________________________________________
Student printed name Student signature
Parents/Guardians:
Please sign below to indicate that you have read the course sheet for Mrs. Kemmerling’s class and that you will help your student be accountable for the information. If you have questions about the course or your
student’s work, please do not hesitate to contact me; is the best way to reach me quickly. See the front of this sheet for my address.  
Parent/Guardian printed name Parent/Guardian signature
_______________________________ ______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Parent/Guardian daytime phone number
(please print)
 Parents and guardians, please CIRCLE the best way for me to contact you:
phone
Check all the statements that apply to how you would like to communicate with Mrs. Kemmerling about your student’s progress. I will, of course, call for major concerns or accomplishments, but with many students, I like to know how you’d prefer to communicate.
_____ I/We have internet access at home, so we will check Parent Portal at least twice per week to check on my/our student’s progress. I/We will contact Mrs. Kemmerling about any concerns we have.
_____ I/We plan to Mrs. Kemmerling for an update when needed.
_____ I/We do not have internet access at home, but I/we would like to have regular contact with Mrs. Kemmerling. I/we will call for an update when needed.
_____ Other: _______________________________________________________________________________