1. 8th Grade Advanced Language Arts 2017-2018
Mrs. Chris Forster
8th Grade Advanced Language Arts
"Knowledge becomes power only when we put it into use.” Anonymous

2. Curriculum & the Common Core
Common Core – Standards and Benchmarks
Goal might be to identify how setting affects plot
Curriculum – the materials and units used to meet goals.
i.e. Unit 4: Analyzing Theme & Symbol

3. How is this class “Advanced"
Higher level reading materials
Higher level questions & in-depth answers that analyze selections
Special emphasis on the reading/writing connection
More independent work
Projects, presentations

4. What is a good answer?
The expectation for answers is to cite multiple pieces of textual evidence and use that evidence to analyze selections for rhetorical devices.
The only wrong answer is the one you don’t logically prove.

5. Complete answers:
“Lift” Specific details from the text to support any inferences made.
Include enough elaboration to completely answer the question.
Reflect deep understanding of text.
Omit extraneous details.

6. How do the actions of Napoleon exemplify the phrase “Power Corrupts?”

7. Weak Response
Napoleon was corrupt. He had trained the dogs so they chased Snowball off of the farm and anytime someone tried to speak out about this his dogs would threaten the animal by growling at them.

8. Strong Response
. . . Napoleon used his position to manipulate the animals and get what he wanted. Squealer convinced the other animals the pigs needed more luxuries and benefits, such as eating all the apples and milk, because they were the brains of the farm. Soon, Napoleon and Squealer began changing the commandments. “No animal shall sleep in a bed” became "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.” Napoleon trained the puppies in private, and used them to run his former partner, Snowball, off the farm. None of the other animals can question him, and he maintains power through fear of his dogs

9. Standards-based Grading
Types of assignments:
Practice: 3, 2, 1
Assignments: score based on number and difficulty of questions
Quizzes and Tests: score based on number and difficulty of questions
Scores adjusted to reflect new learning
Tasks are “revisited” to improve mastery

10. Standards-based grading.
Test Retakes
District mastery = 77%
ALA 8 = 83%
Max score = 84%
Redos
Any constructed response
Completed within one week.

11. Please note that I use WEIGHTED GRADING.
Grade Spreadsheets
Please note that I use WEIGHTED GRADING.
Practice work = 10%.
Assignments = 45%
Quizzes/Tests = 45%

12. Special Scores L = Late M = Missing AB
Your student was here but did not have his/her assignment. AB
Child out when work was assigned or corrected
L = Late
Student submitted work late. No penalty is applied.

13. Checking Progress
Parent Vue– Allows you to access your student’s information.
Make sure I have your address.
Twitter – MrsForsterLA
Webpage – I post lesson plans.
Although there might be slight changes, you will know about important due dates.

14. Communication School phone: (248)726-4900 Van Hoosen Website
My extension is 4941
I am available after school or from 8:50-9:45
Van Hoosen Website
Twitter: @MrsForsterLA

15. Thank You
"Consider the postage stamp; its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing until it gets there." Josh Billings