8th+Grade+syllabus

ADOLESCENT LITERATURE 8TH GRADE ** Mrs. Rachel Sherbert Room #203 ** ** Fayetteville **** High School ** **rsherbert@tcboe.org** **//Course Description& Objectives:// **This course is designed to improve your reading comprehension and use of strategies as it pertains to nonfiction (content area) reading. There will be occasional fiction writings brought into the course in order to create variety. You will be able to understand and apply the concepts necessary to meet the Alabama Course of study objectives. ·  1 – 1 ½” binder ·  Loose leaf paper in binder ·  Pens (blue or black) or pencils ·  Jump drive (memory stick) * You may be asked to purchase specific supplies throughout the year for projects. I will give you ample time to purchase these supplies before they are needed. We will not have a textbook for this class; therefore, it is extremely important that you keep all handouts organized in your binder. **//Schedule & Attendance://** We will meet everyday for 50 minutes. As you enter the class, you will begin the bell ringer, which will be timed. After the bell ringer, we will begin the day’s particular lesson. Class time is very valuable; therefore, it is very important that you are present. If you are absent, please see the make-up folder for assignments **and** ask another classmate. You will have 3 days upon returning to school after an **excused** absence to make up any missed work. If there is a special circumstance preventing you from completing make-up work in this time-frame, please discuss the circumstance with me before the 3 days is up. I will not ask for the assignments; it is your responsibility to get them to me. (Please do not just put assignments on my desk without telling me first) Be careful not to fall behind due to absences or incomplete assignments. PACE (after-school detention) will be used as needed to catch-up on assignments. **//Grading: //**Grading will be done on a point system, with assignments being between 5 and 100 points. There will be special projects throughout the year that may count more than 100 points. You will be given a rubric for each of these. There will very seldom be an assignment that will not be graded. Bell ringers will be graded, as well as reading response journals. All OSCAR assignments must be completed in OSCAR. All suspensions are unexcused, and you will receive a zero on all assignments completed during your suspension. It is very important that you complete all assignments given. A 90 – 100 B 80 – 89 C 70 – 79 D 60 – 69 F 59 and below **//Expectations: //**You are expected to turn in assignments that are neat and properly headed: **name, date, grade & period, and assignment.** Daily assignments must be turned in at the end of the class in the appropriate box. You are responsible for your own actions (including words), assignments, and personal belongings. No disrespect will be tolerated! You are also expected to respect the belongings of others, including the teacher. The room must be left clean upon leaving. **//Extra Help://** Please feel free to ask questions during class whenever needed and appropriate. If you need one-on-one assistance with an assignment, please see me about a convenient time for both of us to meet. Do not wait until the assignment is due to say that you did not understand how to complete it. This will not be an excuse; I am **always** available for assistance, and no question is a bad question. If you need any special accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible. **//Rules: //**You are expected to be **Respectful, Responsible, and Resourceful** at all times. In following these three rules, everything will take care of itself. If you are ever doubtful about your behavior (actions), the answer is typically not to do it! **//Procedures: //**There are certain procedures for most situations you may encounter in the classroom. You will be taught these procedures over the first few weeks of school. A handout will also be given to you to keep in your binder. It is your responsibility to learn and follow these procedures throughout the year. If you have a question about how a certain situation should be handled, it is your responsibility to ask me before handling it inappropriately. Keep in mind that the first few weeks will be used to practice and learn procedures; therefore, you will be given ample time to learn them before having to deal with consequences for not following them. __1 point deduction__ – not having proper materials for class, not following procedures outlined by teacher for small situations, and/or other small infractions. __2 point deduction__ – having inappropriate items in class (food, games, etc.), not following specific directions, not working appropriately, not beginning bell ringer promptly, passing letters or other things in class, and/or being disruptive (talking, etc.). __5 point deduction__ – being continuously disruptive, being sent out of class, arguing and/or disrespecting the teacher, being sent out of class because of behavior, inappropriate behavior or language (some behavior, language, and disrespect will send you straight to the office with a referral). Once you reach 5 points you receive the 1st offense, next 5 points 2nd offense, and 3rd offense is an office referral. You will sign for each offense and you can see the actions that will be taken on the Classroom Management Form.
 * //Required materials:// Each student must bring the following to class everyday. **
 * // Consequences: //**