Class+Requirements

Class Requirements
 * Literature **

We will explore a variety of literature in eighth grade including short fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry. The units in this class are typically organized by author-study and students will learn about the author, genre, and the literature as we move throughout the year. Many reading skills and literary devices will be covered in conjunction with the stories they will be reading. Students will employ higher-level thinking skills as they consider author’s purpose, character motives, theme, point-of-view, and multiple meanings of texts.

Students will be required to accumulate a different amount of accelerated reader points for each marking period. I will inform the class of the required number of points at the beginning of each marking period. AR points are counted as a **TEST** grade. AR books must be brought to class every day and the books should be of appropriate reading level. I will help students to determine their appropriate reading level.
 * Accelerated Reader **

*Cheating of any kind on AR tests will result in an automatic 0% for your AR grade, regardless of how many points you may have earned so far that marking period.

Homework is due at the beginning of class on the date for which it has been assigned. If you do not have your homework on that day at the beginning of class, you will not receive credit for the assignment. There are NO make-ups for homework. If you are absent, you will have one day per each consecutive day of absence to turn it in. Homework is not graded individually, but is checked for completion. A grade is assigned for every ten homework assignments that are given. For example, if a student completes eight out of ten homework assignments, he or she has earned an eighty percent.
 * Homework **

Vocabulary and spelling tests are given nearly every Friday of the school year. Vocabulary and spelling tests may not always be given on a Friday due to snow days, holidays, or other interruptions. In those cases, I will let the students know the test date at the beginning of that week.
 * Vocabulary and Spelling **

Multiple measures are used when calculating the final grade for a marking period. A typical marking period will result in the average of anywhere from fifteen to twenty grades, so there are many ways for students to excel. Literature tests and quizzes, vocabulary and spelling tests, projects, written responses, homework, and Accelerated Reader all play a part in the overall grade.
 * Overall Grade **

Edline is an excellent tool for teachers, parents, and students. I update Edline weekly and list the upcoming classwork/homework in the assignment section for each day of the week, typically beginning on Monday or the Friday before the start of the week. This way, students and parents can always be aware of what is happening in the classroom, so it is especially helpful if a student has to miss class. Upcoming tests, projects, and deadlines can be found in the News section. I also try to post Power-Point reviews of vocabulary words and notes from class.
 * Assignment/Grade Information **