ELA 8

Handbook

Mrs. Hudak

2017-2018Dear Students, Parent(s)/Guardian(s): September 6, 2017 Welcome to 8th grade ELA! As this year’s primary focus will be on preparing for high school level English, a rigorous reading and writing curriculum will provide students with a strong foundation for the years to come. Students will read and analyze a plethora of both fiction and nonfiction pieces, write for various purposes and participate in activities that will allow them to develop skills in speaking and listening. That being said, we will also be utilizing a blended classroom model in which students will often submit work via

Google Classroom, while also having opportunities for more traditional face to face interaction and learning.

To begin the school year, a focus on classroom community will be implemented through cooperative activities. Multiple Intelligence Testing will also be used to assess students’ strengths and weaknesses, while also helping to build relationships within the classroom. As the year will consist of many cooperative and inquiry-based activities (including Breakout Classroom), students will be encouraged to develop relationships with their peers. In addition STAR, an electronic baseline assessment of students’ skills in ELA, will be administered at the beginning of the year to drive instruction and focus on students’ individual needs. Throughout the school year, students will participate in an engaging curriculum that will focus on various units of study including:Unit 1: Finding Home: Refugees- Inside Out and Back Again (novel); Poetry studyUnit 2: The Impact of the Written Word on People and Culture in America (short stories)Unit 3: Life During Wartime/All is Fair in Love and War (drama study)Unit 4: Dystopian Society: The Future? Novel study

In addition, various writing pieces and projects will provide opportunities for student assessment and enrichment. Students will also have independent reading requirements each quarter that are based on the above units of study. To ensure your child’s success throughout the school year, communication is imperative. Please be sure to contact me with any questions or concerns. I look forward to meeting both you and your child. Sincerely,Mrs. Hudak

MATERIALS CHECKLIST

Students: You are required to obtain the following materials and have them in class with you no later than Monday, September 11th. If you have these materials with you, you will receive a 10/10 as a quiz grade. Failure to have these materials will result in a 0/10 quiz grade. 1- a three ring binder (can be shared with another class)

2- dividers

3- loose-leaf paper

4- pens, pencils, highlighter (I suggest purchasing an inexpensive,

plastic zippered envelope pouch with three holes to house utensils)

5- marble notebook

6- sticky notes

*If there are reasons why you are unable to purchase these materials

by Monday, September 11, please bring a note from your parent(s) or

guardian(s) as soon as possible. Thank you.

CLASS REQUIREMENTS/PROCEDURES

1. Students are required to have a marble notebook to be used as a reading response journal, which must be brought to class each day. Students who do not bring their journals to class will be deducted 1 point on their quarter grade for each time it is not in class. Students may not use loose-leaf paper for reading responses. Each reading response is worth 5 points (up to 25 points a week), so it is imperative that students bring their journals and write in them every day as they are required to do so. All responses must be written in paragraph form (at least 5 sentences). Students are not to scribble, draw, or use this journal for any other class. I will collect this journal and will grade it based on the acceptable completion of tasks assigned each week. Late journals will not be accepted unless in case of absences.

2. Pupils are also required to have a three-ring binder. This will be required in class Monday through Friday. Students who come unprepared to class will receive a daily reduction of 1 point to their quarter grade. Your binder should be separated into the following sections:

A. introductory and miscellaneous materials (MISC/INTRO)B. notesC. readingD. writingE. language

F. tests/quizzes

3. Discipline: Students are expected to be in their seats and ready to work with all required materials before the bell rings. Those who are late for class will be given a late slip. Pupils will be given assigned seats (if need be), are expected to raise their hands when they have questions or want to participate in discussion, and are required to be respectful to others at all times. Students may not leave the room without my permission and may only leave so under my discretion. In the event of a personal emergency, I will permit pupils to leave the room. Students must use their agendas whenever they leave the classroom. The use of cellular phones and other electronic devices is prohibited unless we are using them for academic purposes. 4. * I strive for my classroom to be a safe, learning environment where all students can learn and grow. Therefore, I will not tolerate rude comments or gestures that insult cultures, races, religions or that are profane or sexual in nature. Students must be reminded that school is a place for the learning and sharing of ideas that are appropriate, ethical, and are in the best interest of all others in the classroom.

Contact Information:

The easiest way for us to keep in touch is through email. Please feel free to email me at anytime with any questions or concerns. I check my email frequently throughout the day.

EMAIL: alicia.hudak@marlboroschools.org

MY WEBSITE

My website contains all the information needed to make this year a successful one for your child. All assignments, due dates, project/task descriptions, and announcements will be available. A copy of this syllabus, along with a copy of a parent/guardian letter can also be viewed. A link to my email is also provided on the site, where you and your child can reach me with homework questions, inquiries on projects, or any other concerns you may encounter during the year. Directions for finding site: 1. Go to www.marlboroschools.org2. Click on “Choose a School”3. Select Marlboro Middle School

4. Click on “Faculty Websites”5. Find my name and click on my website

Extra Help Schedule

During School Hours: I am available during the day (most days) periods 2, 5, and 7. Students should make an appointment with me in case I have a meeting or other commitment during that time.

After School Hours: I will stay for extra help until 3:15 once a week either Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays depending on the week. I will update this information each week on my website.