8th Grade Reading - Course Syllabus
Course Information
8th grade Reading is a course designed to develop independent, motivated readers who think critically about literary and informational texts. In class, we will study a variety of novels, poems, short stories, essays, articles, and other forms of written language in order to prepare students for a lifetime of learning. Students will also apply effective research and writing strategies partnered with technological tools to further develop their writing skills.
Regular Assignments
1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Homework
Classroom Policies
1. Behavioral Expectations
2. iPads
3. Come to Class Prepared
4. Leaving Class
5. Telephone Use
5. Turning in Work
Disciplinary Procedures
Miss Shaffer uses pawprint cards to notify students when they are violating a classroom rule. If a card is placed on a student's desk, it serves as a reminder to adjust your classroom behavior and get on task.
For classroom rule-breaking (a paw print card will be placed on your desk):
For iPad rule-breaking (Trap Hill Middle School Policy):
Class Policies
1. Late and Make-Up Work
2. Academic Integrity
3. Class Supplies
4. Grading
85-92 B
75-84 C
65-74 D
0-64 F
5. Use of Technology
6. Classroom Library
7. Extra Credit
8th grade Reading is a course designed to develop independent, motivated readers who think critically about literary and informational texts. In class, we will study a variety of novels, poems, short stories, essays, articles, and other forms of written language in order to prepare students for a lifetime of learning. Students will also apply effective research and writing strategies partnered with technological tools to further develop their writing skills.
Regular Assignments
1. Reading
- When studying literature (such as poems, plays, and novels), students are responsible for completing their assigned reading prior to class and must be prepared to discuss the material every day.
- Students are required to read one book outside of class per six weeks. Students will submit one reading assessment per book. Suggested reading assessments include, but are not limited to, book summary, character analysis, text analysis, college applications, new book covers, book soundtracks, story symbolism, depicting a scene, illustrating an event, book review & recommendation, and alternate endings. Specific requirements for each assessment will be provided.
2. Writing
- Warm-up activities and homework will primarily consist of writing prompts each day and will contribute towards your grade for each six weeks. Always bring your iPad: some writing prompts will be hand-written, others may be typed online.
3. Homework
- In an effort to help students prepare for the increased workload in high school, there will be regular homework in Reading class. Homework activities will take a minimal amount of time (fifteen minutes or less), but are designed to help students become responsible learners outside of the classroom.
- Students will turn in their weekly homework assignments every Friday. All homework assignments are due at the beginning of class on Friday.
Classroom Policies
1. Behavioral Expectations
- Respect classmates, teachers, faculty, the classroom, and yourself.
- Come to class on time.
- Have a positive attitude.
- Stay seated at your assigned seat.
- Raise your hand.
2. iPads
- iPads are to be used in Miss Shaffer's classroom for designated school use ONLY.
- When in use, iPads will be placed flat on your desk.
- When iPads are not in use, they will be placed underneath your desk.
- If a student is playing games, messaging friends or family, or using the iPad for any other purpose than what Miss Shaffer has instructed, he or she will be reprimanded according to school policy.
3. Come to Class Prepared
- Please bring a charged iPad, pencil, and any classroom materials.
- Students without a charged iPad may be forced to share with a partner or may sit at the designated charging station in Miss Shaffer's classroom.
- Students without a pencil may trade something of value to Miss Shaffer for a pencil at the beginning of class. Your item will be returned to you when the pencil is returned to Miss Shaffer.
4. Leaving Class
- Students may not leave the classroom for the first or last ten minutes of class or during direct instruction.
- Students must ask permission to leave class.
- Students must fill out a classroom sign out sheet to leave class. Students must list the date, destination, and the time of leaving and the time of returning to class.
- Students must take a hall pass to leave the classroom and return the hall pass upon returning.
- Students who ask to leave class repeatedly OR who do not fill out the sign out sheet completely will have their restroom privileges revoked. Students must instead wait until class change or lunch to use the restroom.
5. Telephone Use
- Students must ask Miss Shaffer to use the telephone.
- Students will be required to fill out a classroom log sheet to use the telephone. Students must list the date, time, who they are calling, and the reason why they are calling.
- Students who ask to use the telephone repeatedly OR who do not fill out the log sheet completely will have their classroom telephone privileges revoked. Students must instead wait until lunch to use the phone in the office.
5. Turning in Work
- Please place all completed work in the Turn-In Bin on Miss Shaffer's desk.
- Miss Shaffer will only accept work placed in the Turn-In Bin.
Disciplinary Procedures
Miss Shaffer uses pawprint cards to notify students when they are violating a classroom rule. If a card is placed on a student's desk, it serves as a reminder to adjust your classroom behavior and get on task.
For classroom rule-breaking (a paw print card will be placed on your desk):
- First and second minor offenses: Warning
- Third offense: Lunch detention
- Fourth offense: Carded lunch detention and phone call home
- Fifth or severe offense: Visit the office
For iPad rule-breaking (Trap Hill Middle School Policy):
- First offense: iPad taken for 5 days
- Second offense: iPad taken for 10 days
- Third offense: iPad taken for 10 days, DRF, after school detention
- Fourth offense: iPad taken for 10 days, DRF, 3 days after school detention
Class Policies
1. Late and Make-Up Work
- Late work is unacceptable. Assignments must be placed in Miss Shaffer's Turn-In Bin at the beginning of class.
- Assignments and homework will be reduced by 20% for each day that the assignment is late. Work will not be accepted after three days have passed.
- Students are responsible for meeting with the teacher to discuss any make-up work for absences. Students have three days to submit make-up work to the teacher after returning from an absence, as per school policy.
- If you are absent, please view the Make-Up Work Section on this website to see what work you will need to turn in. All Make-Up Work is located in the Make-Up Work Binder in Miss Shaffer's classroom.
2. Academic Integrity
- Academic dishonesty is unacceptable in this class. Students caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive a zero for quizzes, tests, homework, and other minor assignments. Students caught plagiarizing essays, projects, presentations, or other major assignments will be given the opportunity to redo the project for a portion of the grade.
3. Class Supplies
- Each student is responsible for bringing their iPad, class folder, and writing utensils every day.
- Students will be given supplemental reading materials throughout the year. Students are responsible for taking care of their books and returning them at the end of the year.
4. Grading
- Grades for each six weeks are based on minor assessments (quizzes, assignments, homework, participation) and major assessments (tests, midterms, presentations, group projects, essays).
- The Raleigh County Schools Grading Scale is as follows:
85-92 B
75-84 C
65-74 D
0-64 F
5. Use of Technology
- All students are required to bring iPads to class every day.
- Students must listen respectfully to Miss Shaffer for directions on how to properly use technology during class.
- Students who are off-task or abusing technology will be reprimanded according to school policy and will have their technology privileges revoked for the remainder of class that day.
6. Classroom Library
- The use of books in Miss Shaffer's classroom library is a privilege.
- Students may borrow a book from the library for the six weeks grading period for completion of their out-of-class reading assessment.
- Books must be returned in good condition.
- If a student loses one of Miss Shaffer's books, he or she must replace the book.
7. Extra Credit
- Opportunities for extra credit are always available. Students may read one extra additional book per six weeks and complete a reading assessment for extra credit. Students may also discuss other potential extra credit project with Miss Shaffer at any time. All ideas must be approved by Miss Shaffer before students begin their projects.