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                                                                          Eighth Grade Reading and Classroom Supply List
     
     The goals for students in eighth grade reading are to improve in the following areas:


    • reading comprehension
    • written expression
    • critical thinking
    • vocabulary expansion
    • understanding, applying, and developing ever more complex written text
    • independence, responsibility and readiness to enter high school

    To enable students to become more independent and engaged learners, what occurs outside of the classroom is as important as what takes place within its walls.  Therefore, the timely completion of homework is key to success in this course. Homework is used to introduce concepts, to practice skills and to expand understanding.  It is never given as busywork.  Rather it is given with thought and purpose.  Homework assignments are posted to my page on Schoolwires  so that students and parents can check to see that all parts of the correct assignment are completed. 



    Homework assignments count for twenty percent of a student's grade in 8th grade Reading.  They are checked routinely (but not every day), and all parts must be complete on the day of the HW check in order for full credit to be given.  Where fractional parts are completed, fractional credit is given.  To gain additional credit, missed parts must be made up and shown within twenty-four hours of the HW check.  If a student is unprepared on the day of the check, the HW grade for that assignment is a zero and can be brought to a fifty within three school days of the missed assignment.  Of course, if there is a family emergency or an extended illness documented by written communication from a parent or guardian, and/or health professional exceptions will be made.
     
    Written assignments that count as test or quiz grades are returned to students with rubrics and/or commentary.  Homework is graded using a "check "system. The following guidelines are offered to interpret HW grades:
    • check + = 95  (The student has gone above and beyond the assignment's basic requirements)
    • check    = 80  (The work product has met the basic requirements of the assignment)
    • check -  = 65  (The work product was either incomplete or did not follow instructions adequately to meet the assignment's basic requirements*

    * increments of five may be applied in either direction of a check

     


    Reading is  a  class that is both structured and flexible.  The structure comes from regular and predictable policies, practices and routines; while the flexibility encompasses such things as student choice whenever and wherever possible, and responsiveness to differing learning styles and diverse educational needs. 
     


    Extra help will be given in Guide, and Guide is also the time and place to show missed work.

    Vocabulary and reading comprehension tests, or written assignments that count as tests, account for fifty percent of the grade.  Quizzes, or written assignments that count as quizzes make up the remaining thirty percent of the grade.  All tests and quizzes are announced several days before they are given.  My calendar will show when tests and quizzes come home for parent/guardian signatures.
     
     

    Class of 2016-2017

    Grade 8 Reading Classroom Supply List

    • one 2" three-ring notebook dedicated to reading  
    • five-subject paper notebook dividers with writable tabs 
    • three hole punched college rule notebook paper
    • one ruled 9.75" x 7.5" composition book
    • 5" x 8" ruled index cards in white
    • 3" x 3" post-its (do NOT get the extra-sticky kind)
    • yellow and pink highlighters
    • red pens
    • black or blue pen
    • a package of#2 soft lead pencils

    Please be sure to bring a pencil and one 9.75" x 71.5" journal to class on Day 1 for a classroom exercise.