1. 8th Grade Language Arts 2015-2016
Mrs. Chris Forster
8th Grade Language Arts
Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.
Roy Rogers

2. Curriculum Common Core – Standards and Benchmarks
Goals such as “Identify how setting affects plot.”
Curriculum – the materials and units used to meet goals.
i.e. Unit 4: Analyzing Theme & Symbol, Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

3. Why is ELA 8 difficult?
All work is assessed based on merit and quality. No credit is given simply for finishing work.
Expectation for answers is to cite multiple pieces of specific textual evidence and use that evidence to analyze selections.

4. What is a good answer?
Specific details are “lifted” from the text to support any inferences made. (evidence)
Includes enough elaboration to completely answer the question.

5. What details make the setting seem real? (historical fiction)
WEAK: The way they dress, cook, and do things. The river and the docks.
STRONG: Mattie worries that her dress is showing her ankles or that her elbows might show because this is considered unladylike. The Cooks walk to market, and Mattie describes carriages and pigs running free in the street. Mother stitches quilts and spins yarn.

6. Work Corrections
Written assignments on which students have not shown mastery may be corrected and returned for additional credit.

7. Grading and Evaluation
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

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

9. Grade Spreadsheets Continued
Special Scores
NHI = Not Handed In
Your student was here but did not have his/her assignment.
ABS = Absent
Child ill when work was assigned or corrected
IP = In Progress
Student has not completed absent work, but he/she has received the assignment

10. Late Assignments Students are expected to turn work in on time!
Practice work – scored 2 if late
Corrected work is due one week prior to the end of any quarter.

11. Rules
Be respectful of other people and property
Do your best work!

12. Track Your Child’s Progress
My RCS – Allows you to access your student’s information.
Make sure I have your address.
Webpage – I post lesson plans.
Although there might be slight changes, you will know about important due dates.
Twitter

13. Communication School phone: (248)726-4900 Van Hoosen Website
I am available from 7:45-8:43 and after school.
Van Hoosen Website

14. Thank you!