English 8
Mrs. Fredin
Welcome to the 8th grade; I’m looking forward to a wonderful year
and sharing with you my love for reading and writing. Here are some answers to
some questions you may have about English 8.
Why do I need this class? English 8 is designed to prepare students
for high school writing and literature study; the skills taught and practiced
are essential building blocks for the next four years of rigorous study required
by the state with the Common Core Standards. In addition, the material taught
in this class will also prepare students for State Assessments given later in
the year. Finally, my goal is to prepare students for life. The outline of the
class is structured around developing life-long readers, developing confidence
in writing, looking at and learning from other author’s writing, and teaching
writing skills to use outside of the classroom.
What will I be doing in class?
Daily Schedule –Be in seats by time the bell
rings; we will always have important items on our agenda each day and can’t
waste a moment! Like all lesson plans this is subject to variation,
interruption, and teachable moments.
1.
Everyday Editing Lesson/Introduce Agenda For The Day
2.
Silent Reading
3.
Quick Write
4.
Lesson
5.
Wrap-Up
6.
Teacher Dismisses Students.
Everyday Editing:
This includes daily learning and discussion on grammar and mechanics. This will
be the first section in your writer’s notebook.
Silent
Reading: Everyday students will be given time in class to read silently to
help reach the reading goal; my hope and expectation is that students will also
be reading outside of class. Each student’s goal is to complete a minimum of 12
books. Of course, I’m hoping
students go past this goal and read more than 12 books, like many students did
last year. Here’s the breakdown:
Book
Requiement-12 or more books
Realistic
Fiction: 2 Biography/Autobiography/Memoirs:
1
Historical
Fiction: 2 Science
Fiction: 2 Informational: 1
Fantasy
Fiction: 1 Chapter Book
Free Choices: 3
*You are never finished reading, and should be reading some form of
literature the
entire year even after you complete the invitation of reading a minimum
of 12 books.
Reading Logs:
Every month a log will be issued for students to keep in their folder; students
need to read a minimum of three times outside
of class each week for 15-20 minutes. At the end of the month, the reading logs
will be handed in for a grade.
Quick
Writes: This will be the second section in the writer’s notebook; quick
writes take place daily and are a time to write freely, to experiment with
thinking and ideas, and try on voice. I will collect and look at these writings
every marking period.
Will I have homework? Of Course! However, as we work through writing units, time will be given in class to start drafting on writing pieces, editing, or typing final drafts. Many times you will need to complete tasks not finished in class at home, but it will always be reasonable and never busy work. Everything we do has purpose and is designed to help you grow as a student. Also, my expectation is that you will read 15-20 minutes three times a week outside of class. When we hit our literature units, there will be occasional quizzes and tests you will need to study for at home. On my board, I will have the daily agenda and also a weekly outlook.
How will I be graded?
Grading
Your grade is computed on power school and
includes the following categories:
Reading Folder and Writing Notebook= 20%
of your grade
Reading/Literature Assignments=40% of your
grade
Writing Assignments=40% of your grade
Writer's Notebook: This includes everyday editing and quick writes, and is a part of your grade. I will provide you with a notebook.
Reading Folder: This notebook will include the following
items: Genre Requirement Graph, My Reading List, Status of Class, list of books
to read in the future, and your monthly reading log. I will provide you with
this folder, and keeping the folder updated is also a part of your grade. This
folder will be collected every marking period. Also, in this folder you will keep
your novel and the class syllabus.
How can I get more information on the class
and on good books?
Please
check out my weekly updates on schoology, where I will post the agenda and
assignments for the week. Also, by going to my blog (http://mcbainenglish8.blogspot.com)
information can be found on state standards with
links to other helpful learning tools. In addition, there are links on my blog
to websites that give helpful reviews and insights to good books for students
to read.
How
do I get caught up on everyday editing, quick writes, and other lessons missed
when I am absent?
Well, first you can
check out schoology. On the front board in my room, you will find the daily
agenda and weekly outlook. Also, you can ask the person sitting next to you for
notes and information. It’s your responsibility to use these sources and get
caught up when you’re absent.
How
do I check out Mrs. Fredin’s books?During silent reading time, before school, or after school, bring the book you would like to read up to the checkout counter. I will assign a book to you to borrow, but please remember to take good care of the books, since a lot of my own money is spent keeping my library updated with current titles. Also, when returning your book you will bring the book back to the checkout counter. If you lose a book or if it becomes damaged, I’m asking that you replace the book with your own money.
When can I check out books from the library?
I’m asking that students check out books from the library before school, during lunch time (if approved by supervising lunch teacher), after school, and during advisory class. There’s just not enough time in the English class period to write passes to the library, but I’m hoping to carve time out of advisory on a regular basis to let students explore books in the library.
Why is my behavior so important for my own learning and the learning of others?
In order to create an environment where there is trust and a sense of community and where people feel comfortable to learn and share, we all need to treat others kindly and politely. It’s important to follow directions given in class, try your best, and respect teacher and other students. Being on task is vital in order to get through everything I have planned each period, and attentive, respectful behavior allows others in the room better concentration and learning. Any behavior that distracts anyone from reaching his/her potential will not be tolerated. I am asking every student to commit to the classroom promise that we will be creating in class during the first week of school to help ensure the best learning environment possible.
What are expectations of technology in the classroom?
1.
Come to class with computers and have them charged and
ready to work.
2.
Keep computers closed until teacher gives specific
directions for using them.
3.
You may not listen to music during the hour, unless a
special occasion for music listening has been specified.
4.
You may not have headphones on at anytime of the hour,
unless specified by teacher.
5.
You are NEVER allowed to play games on your computer in
this class.
6.
When a task has been given for you on your computer,
you must not divert from that task, unless special permission has been granted.
I am looking forward to
a wonderful year, and I can’t wait to share with you many exciting book titles,
interesting writing topics, and, of course, I’m looking forward to getting to
know all of you better! Please
share this syllabus with your parents or guardians! Keep the information on the
first three pages in your reading folder for future reference, and return ONLY
this page signed after you and a parent or guardian have read and looked over
this class’s expectations and class outline. J
I will
try my best in class and follow my teacher’s expectations. ________________________
(Student Signature)
My son
or daughter and I have read through and understand this syllabus.
__________________
(Parent/Guardian Signature)
Kleenex Donations: If you are able and willing, I’m looking for students to help fill my
cupboards with Kleenex boxes, so when the cold and flu season hits we will be
prepared. If each student could donate one box of the Kleenexes, we would be
well stocked for the year!
English 8 Writing
Writers
need:
CHOICE
TOOLS
RESPONSE
You’ll
have choice in each genre we study .
. .
I’ll
provide the tools you need to write
well . . .
I’ll
respond often and as quickly as I
can so that you can continue to craft and
learn . . .
The first unit will be narrative. You will write two different narratives
this year, one now and one in the spring. We will study things that make
narratives work, but the items taught are tools
that you can use in all kinds of writing.
You will decide what you want to write
about because I believe that you will pick a topic that fits you. Some of the
hardest work for writers is making choices
about what to write. Quick writes serve many purposes, but one of the purposes
is to help you find topics you care about and are interested in pursuing in
longer pieces of writing.
One of the tools I will use to teach you is my own process of creating writing.
I will write with you on quick writes and each genre we are studying, so that
my understandings of what writers need to work in that genre are fresh and
helpful. I do not share my writing with you because I think I’m the best model
of writing, no way! I know how good those other writers are. (I spend a great deal of time reading.) However,
with the other writers you see the finished product, but never the process. My
writing is in the process, so you will see the thoughts, rough ideas, and work in
progress as you work through your process of writing. You will also be sharing drafts with
partners, small groups, and sometimes even the class.
Writers usually write about things that
matter to them, stories that they remember well many years later, or just ideas
that they believe in strongly. Because we will be sharing drafts of writing we
care about, there needs to trust and respect. I expect all students to show
respect to each other, so we are a community of learners supporting and
encouraging each other as developing writers. I do not tolerate any harassment
of any kind in my classroom. Writers need a community of readers in order to
thrive. You are the community for each other and for me; we need to have a code
of honor. I need to trust you and you
need to trust each other. We to support each other, share what we see, and find
a kind way to help others if we can’t understand something.
Other Genres of Writing Studied in English
8: Besides the narrative
essays, we will study the following genres of writing:
·
Literary
Analysis Essay Writing
·
Comparison
Essay Writing
·
Informational
Comparison Research Essay
·
Explanatory
Essay Writing
·
Fictional
Story Writing
·
Argumentative
Essay Writing
·
Op-ed
(Opposite of the Editorial) Opinion Writing
The Importance of Reading . . .
Gary Paulson says, “Read like a wolf
eats.” Writing and reading are closely connected. Readers are better writers. Reading impacts vocabulary development
and writing. No wonder I’m expecting you to read at least 15-20 minutes three
nights each week at home and complete a minimum of 12 books read during the
year!
Nancie Atwell says, “There’s nothing
better for you- not broccoli, not an apple a day, not aerobic exercise. In
terms of the whole rest of your life, in terms of making you smart in all ways,
there’s nothing better. Top-ranking scientists and mathematicians are people
who read a lot. Top-ranking historians and researchers are people who read a
lot. It’s like money in the bank in
terms of the rest of your life, but it also helps you escape from the rest of
your life and live experiences you can only dream of.”
We will be reading poems, essays, and
fictional pieces by other authors, studying the moves they make. As we read
other author’s work, we will be highlighting, taking notes, and marking up copies
to study the craft.
As We Begin This Journey . . .
Arrive to class on time with materials
needed and homework completed. Turn work in on time; this is your job! I
expect all students to work hard and have a positive attitude. Cooperate
with others and follow directions and give your best each day. I am looking
forward to a great year, learning from you and with you! J
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