Welcome to English 8R!

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an eighth grade English education in accordance with the Next Generation Learning Standards. Continuing the work begun in 7th grade, students will learn how to access, interpret, and write about literature and informational texts in class and at home, focusing on characters who are faced with challenging obstacles, yet find the courage to persevere and prevail.

The curriculum includes the following:

LITERATURE:

*Day of Tears, To Be A Slave – both by Julius Lester

*Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

*Night by Elie Weisel,

*Friedrich by Hans Peter Richter

*The Diary of Anne Frank (the play)

*Independent reading

We will also be reading various short stories, poetry, and articles throughout the year.

WRITING:

Review of the Writing Process (This includes revision and editing, check for mastery of basic rules of grammar, punctuation, and spelling.)

TIED/TIEED/TIEDIED Paragraphs

Literature Essay

Argument Essay

Poetry

GRAMMAR:

Verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives), active and passive voice, verb tense, voice and mood (Again, we will work to ensure they can demonstrate a command in the conventions of standard English grammar and usage.)

VOCABULARY:

Structured vocabulary units assigned

Vocabulary in context (highlighted in literature and articles, fiction and nonfiction, throughout the year)

SUPPLIES:

You will need the following: pens (blue or black) or a 4-color ballpoint pen, red pens (or other colors); a highlighter, a notebook (spiral with perforated sheets or a section in a binder), a marble notebook, a folder, post-its, your fully charged Surface Pro device.

GRADE CALCULATION:

Your grade for each quarter is made up of the following components:

Homework—15% (Points will be deducted for late homework. Students have up to a week to submit any missing homework. Missing assignments will not be accepted at the end of the quarter, unless there is a unique situation that arises. An arrangement can be made, including mandatory extra help.)

Quizzes - 30% (These are usually based on homework and reading assignments.)

Exams/Major Assessments - 40% (Includes projects, exams, projects, presentations)

Class Participation /Preparedness/Classwork—15%

TEAMS and Parent Square are the main vehicles we will use to communicate. Assignments, exams, due dates will be shared there. Students are also expected to use their agenda books as well.

Each quarter is worth 22.5%. You will have a midterm and a final exam. These exams will count as 10% of your final grade.

In addition, the ELA exam will take place in the Spring. Students are encouraged to take this assessment as it is excellent practice and prep for the English Regents Exam.

ENGLISH 9R

Welcome to English 9R! This year is unique as it marks your first official year in high school!! What you do this year will have an impact on college admission and while you do not have a state assessment this year, everything we do this year will help prepare you for the English Regents Exam. You will take the English Regents in 11th grade, an exam you need to pass to graduate.

The curriculum includes:

GRAMMAR: (review of past topics, including Parts of Speech, Subject/Verb Agreement, Punctuation (commas, dashes, hyphens, apostrophes), and Parallel Structure)

LITERATURE: Titles include The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, Antigone by Sophocles, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant, “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl, “Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, and “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury. We will also be reading poetry, articles, and some non-fiction texts, as well.

WRITING: Genres include personal essays, text-based analysis, and editorials.

VOCABULARY: words in context, Greek and Latin roots, academic vocabulary

SUPPLIES

You will need the following:

Pens (blue or black/colorful), highlighter

A folder, charged laptop

A Notebook (spiral with perforated sheets or a binder)

A marble notebook, post-it notes

GRADE CALCULATION

Your grade is made up of the following components:

Homework (15%)

Quizzes (30%)

As per Common Core, we are to provide instruction in the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives), active and passive voice, verb voice and mood and ensure they can demonstrate a command in the conventions of standard English grammar and usage.Exams/Major Assessments (40%)

Work Habits (15%)