Welcome to Ms. Chance's Eighth Grade Block, Room 309
Textbooks: Prentice Hall Literature, Write Source 2000, and History Alive!
Eighth grade block is a two period class that covers grade level expectations in reading, writing, communications and social studies. These subjects are taught using a variety of approaches and materials. Students continue to develop literacy skills that will help them to be successful now and in the future.Reading: Students will strengthen their comprehension of fiction, and nonfiction, text by practicing specific reading strategies. These include increasing fluency, acquiring new vocabulary/word recognition skills, identifying literary elements, engaging with the text through rereading, questioning, journaling, note-taking and determining the author’s style, viewpoint and purpose. Both classic and contemporary literature will be studied, including, The Pearl, The Giver, A Christmas Carol, and a variety of other pieces. Poetry, essays, speeches, current events, and research are also a part of 8th grade curriculum.Every 4 to 5 weeks, the students will complete an independent reading goal by completing a book of their choosing and then participating in the completion of an AR test, a book review or a book talk, depending on the assigned task.
Writing: We will be practicing a variety of writing styles this year, from autobiography and creative writing, to expository and research-based writing. Students will be drafting, revising, editing and producing quality work. Correct use of grammar, and conventions is practiced throughout the school year. Students will be learning to identify parts of speech and sentence patterns. Content organization, and style appropriate to the audience, topic and purpose are taught. Writing is evaluated using the Six Traits of Writing, and WASL scoring rubrics. Students will be sharing their writing with peers, and parents throughout the year. We appreciate and really value parent feedback and editing suggestions.
Communication Skills: Active listening, questioning, paraphrasing and discussion are emphasized each day in class. There are many opportunities for students to work alone, in pairs, or with small groups. Research and presentation skills are practiced frequently, along with more informal role-plays, readers’ theatre, poetry readings, mock trials, and debates.
Social Studies: History Alive! was adopted in 2003. It’s fun, engaging approach to studying U.S. History is a plus. Hands-on activities help students connect their own lives to people, places and events in our nation’s history. Grade level expectations in social studies for grade 8 cover Colonization to Immigration. We will study these time periods by integrating civics, economics, history, geography, lots of fun projects, and we will also incorporate current events to help tie it all together.
Progress Reports and Grading: Students earn two course grades for block that appear on the report card as Language Arts (reading, writing, communication) and Social Studies. The grading scale is as follows:
A = 93% -100%
A- = 90%-92%
B+ = 89% - 87%
B = 86%- 83%
B- = 80%-82%
C+ = 79% - 77%
C = 76% - 73%
C- = 70% - 72%
D = 69% - 60 %
Anything below 59% is a no credit for the class.
Behavior: School rules listed in the Washington Middle School handbook are to be followed in block. My classroom rules are:
Be on Time
Come Prepared
Show Respect
Uncooperative students will be reminded once. If behavior does not improve, the following procedures will be followed:
Removal from Class
Call home
Detention
Creation of Behavior Contract
Assignment Policy: Each day the assignments are posted on the board. Students need to record homework assignments in their agendas. I will stamp all agendas to make sure that students are keeping track of assigned homework. All parents are encouraged to check the agenda daily. If an assignment is turned in late, it will lose one complete grade for everyday late past the due date. If a student has an excused absence, they have a day to make up the work, unless I have made arrangements with them and or their parent/guardian.
Communication: I check my emails daily. Please email me if you have any questions, concerns or just want to check in. My email address is: rchancepape@osd.wednet.edu
You can also check my web page on the Washington Middle School web site. Thank you and I look forward to working with you this year.
Sincerely,
Robyn Chance, 8th grade Block Teacher