Mrs. Cunningham- Language Arts

Teacher Availability:  I am available most days after school (from 3:20 - 3:45) or by appointment.

Philosophy:  In order to foster independence, we will work to cultivate a structured yet collaborative learning environment, one that involves a gradual release of responsibility and a high level of accountability.   

Classroom Expectations:  Our classroom operates best when students  demonstrate the principles of respect, responsibility, and safety.

Students are asked to bring materials each day--Readers Notebook, binder, pencil/pen, DEAR book, and Ipad--and to keep phones and backpacks free from the classroom.  

Absences: 
Should students be absent from school, they are encouraged to check our classroom's Daily Agenda and then follow up with the teacher to discuss any make-up work.

Assessments and Grading:  Quizzes, essays, and projects make up the bulk of the 8th grade English assessments.  
 
A = 100-90 B = 80-89 C = 70 - 79 D = 60 - 69 F = 59 or below.

Units of Study:  Readers and writers workshop, short stories, and whole-class novel study comprise the bulk of the 8th grade curriculum.

Semester 1 Highlights

Unit I: Character study and literary essay writing -- Student-selected novel
Unit II: Short stories -- "The Landlady," "The Most Dangerous Game"
Unit III: Informational Text Unit -- skills:  summary writing, vocabulary, outlining
Selected texts:  The Great Fire, Book of Blood, Outbreak, Bomb
Unit IV: Setting/Readers Workshop -- Student-selected novel 
Unit V: Whole class novel -- Warriors Don't Cry -- and literary essay
Ongoing: Words Their Way (vocabulary study/Greek and Latin roots)  

Goals and Anchor Standards:
Reading:
CCSS 8.1 
Cite text evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as draw inferences from the text.
CCSS 8.10  By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature at the high end of grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
 

Writing:
CCSS 8.1 A-E .
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence
CCSS 8. 10  Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.