English 8 - Course Syllabus 2015/2016

Teacher: Mr. Quinn

Room #: 103 E-mail: cquinn@troy.k12.mi.us

823-4624

Prep Hour: 4th (11:25 am -12:25 pm)

Phone: 248-

Course Description
Our goal is to learn as much Language Arts as possible and to prepare students for success in the Language Arts in
the future. The 8th grade Language Arts curriculum is rigorous and requires focus, discipline, and organizational skills
in order for students to reach their full potential. This curriculum has been aligned with the IB/MYP Language &
Literature Aims & Objectives along with Common Core State Standards, including performance tasks that allow for
demonstration of student levels of competency.
Technology
Schoology www.troyschools.schoology.com Schoology contains an agenda and resources for every day of class. It is
also the new home of grades. Students and parents have access to all courses.
Weebly www.mrquinn29.weebly.com - class website (in progress) used to post student work, daily blog, important
links; students will use for online portfolio
Outlook 365 first initial, middle initial, last name, year of graduation, @troyschools.org email communication
(Outlook), document storage, sharing, editing, & creation (OneDrive), calendar and assignments (Outlook Calendar)
Textbook my.hrw.com textbook reading and lessons hard copies of the actual textbook Literature will be kept in
classroom
Reading
Students are required to read independently and keep an interactive Reader's Notebook and use Accelerated Reader
(electronic book inventory and quizzes) to illustrate their thinking and reflection processes. They are encouraged to
read across genres, including various types of literature as well as informational text. According to the Michigan
Department of Education (MDE), Whatever they are reading, students must show a steadily growing ability to discern
more from and make fuller use of text, including making an increasing number of connections among ideas and
between texts, considering a wider range of textual evidence, and becoming more sensitive to inconsistencies,
ambiguities, and poor reasoning in texts. In addition to independent reading selections, students will read selections
from the Literature Textbook, teacher-selected fiction and informational reading, and student selected informational
material related to unit goals.
Writing
The MDE also states that Some writing skills, such as the ability to plan, revise, edit, and publish, are applicable to
many types of writing, other skills are more properly defined in terms of specific writing types: arguments,
informative/explanatory texts, and narratives. The importance of the writing-reading connection by requiring students
to draw upon and write about evidence from literary and informational texts is also stressed. Students will write in the
following style/genres: creative writing, persuasive/argumentative writing, narrative writing, poetry, and response to
literature.
Speaking and Listening
The Speaking and Listening standards require students to develop a range of broadly useful oral communication and
interpersonal skills, Including but not limited to skills necessary for formal presentations. Students must learn to work
together; express and listen carefully to ideas; integrate information from oral; visual, quantitative, and media sources;
evaluate what they hear; use media and visual displays strategically to help achieve communicative purposes; and
adapt speech to context and task (MDE).
Language Conventions and Vocabulary
The Language standards include the essential rules of standard written and spoken English, but they also approach
language as a matter of craft and informed choice among alternatives. The vocabulary standards focus on
understanding words and phrases, their relationships, and their nuances, and on acquiring new vocabulary,
particularly general academic and domain- specific words and phrases (MDE). Vocabulary and grammar study is
student-centered and embedded within the context of each unit of study.
Research Project
Students will complete a Shark Tank business project that will require them to identify a problem or area of need and
then conduct the research needed to complete an engaging and persuasive presentation of their business solutions.
The project will require creative problem solving and will incorporate many of the skills outlined in the areas of
Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Language Conventions and Vocabulary, as well as the effective use of
Technology.
Common Core State Standards: A Crosswalk to the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations." Michigan.gov.
Michigan Department of Education, Dec. 2010. Web. 3 Sept. 2013.
<http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/6-8_ELA_357703_7.pdf>.

Classroom Rules of Conduct: RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, and SAFETY

1. Be respectful of teacher, classmates, self, and property - Respect the bubble, and stay out of trouble
2. All Positives no put-downs or shut-ups
3. No talking unless you raise your hand and are called on No side conversations, No blurting out comments
4. LISTEN, the first time Eyes, ears, and heart Chinese symbol for listening
5. Follow all school rules
6. Follow all Tech Rules (see Technology Contract)
7. Never Plagiarize (see Plagiarism Contract) *This was given out at Orientation 5 th Hour
*If these rules are broken, students will receive a behavior check, which are recorded in class. The number of behavior
checks = the marking period behavior grade (1-5)

Grading Policy:
TSD Grades - I grade by a basic point system. Your grade is calculated by the total amount of points you earned
divided by the total amount of points for the class.
Grading Range: A+(97 100%), A(93 96%), A-(90-92%), B+(87-89%), B(83-86%), B-(80-82%), C+(7779%) C(73-76%), C-(70-72%),
D+(67-69%) D(63-66), D-(60-62%), E(0-59%)

IB Grades Based on (4) Language & Literature Criteria A (Analyzing), B (Organizing), C (Producing Text), and D
(Using Language)
*see AIMS & OBJECTIVES and more details on Schoology & Weebly
Scoring: Each Criterion is graded on an (8) point scale. All criteria are put into a formula, which will create a final IB grade on a (7)
point scale

Homework: Students will have homework about twice per week. Homework is DUE at the beginning of the following
period.
Late Assignments: Late assignments will be marked down 10% every school day late, with 30% being the maximum
late mark down. I will still accept most assignments up until (2) days before the last day of the marking period. At that
point, late work will NOT be accepted.
Absences: Students who are absent, are responsible for making arrangements for turning in missed work. Assignments
will be online (Schoology). Email Mr. Quinn with any questions, and a study buddy is suggested. Students will have
(1) extra school day for every day absent to turn in the assignment without penalty.
IB Units:
Unit 1 Foundations/Invincibility, Unit 2 Individuality, Unit 3 Shark Tank, Unit 4 Perspectives
Readings:
Unit 1 Giver by Lois Lowry, Unit 2 Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, Unit 3 At least (3) Troybery Novels, Unit 4 Outsiders
by SE Hinton, Monthly Independent Reading with Accelerated Reader, many fictional and non-fiction readings from
textbook and online, Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe, Diary of Anne Frank
Contests/Trips:
Scripps National Spelling Bee
DUE BY WED. SEPT. 16 If you
TSD Writing Contest
cannot provide these items, please
Holocaust Memorial Center (pending)
Supplies (take home & bring everyday):
contact Mr. Quinn Supplies (to be left in classroom):
1. A pen, pencil, and highlighter
1. (1) Spiral Notebook (70 or 80 sheet is plenty)
2. Notebook paper for writing
2. (1) Folder with pockets
3. Homework Folder for holding papers & assignments
4. Charged iPad
5.

6.
8.

7.
8th GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS RETURN TO MR. QUINN

9.
10. Please read and discuss with parents and make sure you understand your responsibilities in this
class and what is expected of you. Then sign the following and turn in the following class period.
If there are any questions or clarifications, please contact Mr. Quinn ASAP.
11.
12. STUDENT NAME:____________________________________________________ PERIOD:__________________
13.
14. PARENT NAME(S):______________________________________________________________
15.
16. BEST PHONE NUMBER TO REACH PARENT:_________________________________________ BEST TIME TO
CALL:______________
17.
18. BACK-UP PHONE NUMBER TO REACH PARENT:_______________________________________BEST TIME TO
CALL:______________
19.
20. PARENT EMAIL
ADDRESS(ES)_________________________________________________________________________________________
21.
22. I have read the syllabus for Mr. Quinns class with my parent(s) and I understand my
responsibilities in this class. I have read the Technology Contract and understand and will adhere
to those policies, and I have read and understand the Plagiarism Contract and agree not to
plagiarize.
23.
24. Student Signature:______________________________________________________________
Date:_______________________________
25.
26. I have read the syllabus for Mr. Quinns class with my son/daughter and I understand my
son/daughters responsibilities in this class. I have read the Technology Contract and understand
those policies, and I have read and understand the Plagiarism Contract and agree to help make
sure my son/daughter doesnt plagiarize. I will also be supportive and helpful of my son/daughter
and will communicate with Mr. Quinn if there are any questions or problems.
27.
28. Parent Signature:_________________________________________________________________
Date:________________________________
29.
30. Please note any other items that Mr. Quinn should be aware of: