COURSE TITLE: English 7 & 8

INSTRUCTOR: Ms. Dietrich

if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of
folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of
view [] until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill a Mockingbird

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION

English 7 & 8 is the study of English Language Arts with an eye to high school and
beyond. The course is guided by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which
outlines English study as Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, and Language. While the
students read Literature, they will be taught how to analyze and appreciate it. They will
become familiar with literary terms and learn how to recognize and interpret the
elements of short stories, novels, poetry, drama, and non-fiction. Students will respond
to the literature through writing, speaking, and listening assignments, which will take
the form of journals, quick-writes, essays, exams, projects, debates, and speeches.
These different responses will vary in length and depth: from basic summation to critical
analysis. Student writing will include sentence sense and paragraph practice. Language
study will cover the CCSS Conventions of Standard English, Knowledge of Language, and
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use. Finally, the students have a daily 30minute reading
requirement.

III. MATERIALS
Binder with sections for English & Writers Workshop (Required each day in class)
Writing Utensils (pen, pencil, 4 separate colors of highlighter)
Journal (preferably a composition notebook)
Planner
Outside reading novel

IV. GENERAL CLASSROOM RULES

"Ones discipline and behavior is more important than ones I.Q. in the pursuit of
happiness and success in life.

Disciplined behavior is a must. It will take precedence over everything we do in this
classroom because it forms the foundation upon which you will be able to successfully
achieve the high standards of work and performance required of this class. Choose to
test the limits of your mind in this class rather than test the limits of your behavior.

1. Be on time.
2. Be prepared.
3. Be respectful.
4. Be productive.



V. GRADING POLICY
Grades are based on the percentage of the possible points each student earns for
homework, classwork, materials & participation, projects, tests, and quizzes. It is the
students responsibility to request and turn in make-up work for days missed.
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D

VI. HOMEWORK POLICY

Students will have regular homework. Students are expected to read at least 30 minutes
each night. In addition, essays, grammar, vocabulary, and projects are expected to be
completed at home.
Homework assignments MUST be completed and printed PRIOR to attending class. All
late assignments will be assessed using the following guidelines:

Any assignment not submitted will be recorded as a zero in the grade book.
Work received beyond the original due date of an assignment will receive 50% off the
grade received.
Violations of academic integrity will result in an automatic zero and a student referral.
Group competitions will be the only way of getting extra credit in this class.

VII. ABSENCE POLICY

It is the students responsibility to communicate with their instructor prior to being gone
for an absence and upon their return from an absence. Students will be given one class
day per day missed to complete all homework, quizzes, or tests they missed due to
being out from school.