Course Outline

I           Reading

            A. Selected Short Stories and nonfiction articles

                        Rules of the Road                             

                        Heroes                             

                        Dicey's Song        

                        Z for Zachariah

                       October Sky

                       The House of the Scorpion

                        Students’ Individual choices

            C. Drama Study

                        The Diary of Anne Frank

                        Romeo and Juliet

            D. Poetry

                        Selected poems for interpretation and literary analysis

                        Original Writings

II         Writing

            A. A variety of multi-paragraphed essays compiled in a folder to be assessed

                 using prescribed rubrics.

            B. Research Skills for use in all content area projects

            C. Personal and literature response journals

III        Grammar

            Review, reinforcement, and mastery of major rules concerning sentence

            construction, punctuation, and standard usage and agreement.

IV        Vocabulary

            A. Traditional skill building in synonyms, antonyms, analogies, definition, and usage of words that eighth                       graders should master.

            B. Correct usage of words taken from literary works covered in class.

V         Oral Communication

            Informal and formal presentations given before a group that reinforce effective

            speaking techniques

VI        Study Skills

            Integrated in all instructional areas

Materials Needed

Blue or black pen

Pencil

Highlighter

Folder for handouts

Notebook

Prentice Hall Literature text

Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar Workbook

Grading Policy

Final grades will be determined using a system in which students will receive a prescribed number of points for each assignment based on length and difficulty.

Extra Help

Afternoons at 2:45 and mornings at 7:40 in Room 315 (to be arranged between student and teacher).

Homework Policies

·        Please understand that all assignments must be completed according to direction and must be handed in on time.

·        Late assignments will not be given full credit.

·        Once an assignment is reviewed in class, it will no longer count for credit.

·        All work missed during absences must be made up within one week of a student’s return to school.  (Exceptions will be considered on an individual basis.)

·        All work is to be done independently unless otherwise stated.

·        Long term projects will carry a final deadline and will not be accepted after that date.