2020-2021 Syllabus

8th Grade Language Arts

Mrs. Gwen Sachse

Email: sachseg@fortschools.org Phone: 920-563-7833 ext. 7206

Materials Needed Every Day:

• Writing Tool (pen or pencil)
• Notebook (provided)
• Chromebook & charger
• Independent Reading Material (not on a computer)
• Earbuds or headphones

Homework & Reading Requirements:

• Class time will be provided for the majority of assignments in this class - if time is not used productively, homework may need to be assigned.
• Homework assignments and due dates can be found on Google Classroom - parents may request access if they would like.
• Students are expected to read every night - novels, poetry, magazines, newspapers, online articles, etc...

Consequences: The following methods will be tried prior to a behavioral form being written (in this order).

1. Student will receive a verbal reminder of the rule broken.
2. Student will be asked to move to a different location in the room to eliminate distractions.
3. Student will have a formal conference with the teacher to discuss the recurring problem-- this conference will take place after school for a short period of time.
4. Teacher will contact parent via phone call or email if problem persists.
5. A behavior form will be filled out for severe or recurring issues which may lead to detentions during lunch or after school and loss of quarterly Honor Level privileges.

Grading: Students will be assessed formally and informally through assignments, tests, conversations and observations.

English Language Arts Department Grading Scale:

Comprehensive Literacy Model (CLM)

The School District of Fort Atkinson adopted the Comprehensive Literacy Model in grades K-8 to implement high-quality, research-based instructional frameworks to facilitate authentic reading and writing instruction and assessment.  The primary goal of the model is to comprehensively and seamlessly integrate reading and writing instruction by using mentor texts and explicit mini-lessons to guide teaching and learning.  Whole-group instruction is facilitated through a mini-lesson framework utilizing modeling, guided practice and independent practice to provide students with many opportunities for success. Small-group instruction is facilitated through the implementation of literature discussion groups providing students with the opportunity to engage in a wide-range of collaborative discussions.  Each classroom has an extensive classroom library with rich, diverse literature across multiple genres giving students access to quality texts while allowing choice for independent reading. All middle school teachers are supported in their literacy instruction through collaborating with a literacy coach who provides professional development.

Literacy Curriculum - Units of Study (UOS)

In order to purposefully and strategically facilitate the integration of reading and writing, the School District of Fort Atkinson implements literacy curriculum through a research-based framework utilizing a unit of study approach aligned to the rigor and grade-level expectations as defined by the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts in Reading Literature, Reading Informational Text, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language. http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/

This means that each grade level will be structuring reading and writing each quarter around a common, real-world theme to provide a common context for learning grounded in the exploration of unit essential questions driven by inquiry to acquire deeper meaning and understanding of content and literacy skills.  Within each unit of study, students will read both fiction and nonfiction grade-level texts, and produce narrative, informative, and argumentative writing pieces in various digital formats.