Austin Road Middle School

100 Austin Road

Stockbridge, GA 30281

770-507-5407

Fax 770-507-5413

Ms. C. Carter, Principal

Mrs. Wiggins, Grade Level/Team 8R Administrator

Grade 8 Language Arts

Instructor:	Ms. Ideer Walker

Email: ideer.walker@henry.k12.ga.us

Textbooks: Elements of Literature, Elements of Writing

2012-2013

Instructional Syllabus

Course Description: In Eighth Grade Language Arts, students continue to broaden their reading experiences through the study and analysis of compelling literature. Throughout the eighth grade, students will continue to refine their skills in the production of quality expository and persuasive essays as they continue to develop their own writing styles, as well as learning a variety of approaches to mastering the writing process. The Georgia Grade 8 Writing Assessment and the CRCT will serve as measures of what they have accomplished.

Georgia Performance Standards

All Eighth Grade Language Arts classes in Georgia use the Georgia Performance Standards as a basis for curriculum and instruction. The areas of study and their standards are listed below. For a detailed list of the elements of the standards and more information about the Georgia Performance Standards please consult the Georgia Department of Education web site:

https://www.georgiastandards.org/Common-Core

Materials:

3-Ring notebook, paper, pen (blue or black), 2 pencils, dividers

Divider TABS:

Warm-ups

Two column notes (vocabulary)

Reading Notebook

Annotations

Predictions

Discussion notes

Closing

Homework/Returned Items

Grading Scheme: This class will adhere to Henry County Grading Policy that consists of the following grading scale:

A	90 and above

B	80 - 89

C	74 - 79

D	70 - 73

F	Below 70*

*by state rule any grade below 70 is failing.

The final grade* in this class, consistent with the ARMS Language Arts Department grading policy, will be determined using the following formula/criteria:

1. Practice 35%

2. Assessment 50%

3. Semester Final Examination – 15%

Students are expected to adhere to the rules and policies of Austin Road Middle School and Henry County as stated in the Henry County Secondary Student Handbook.

Homework: It is the policy of Austin Road Middle School to assign homework as a reinforcement of concepts learned in class; however, it is up to the discretion of the individual teacher as to whether it is assigned daily or over the weekend. Evaluation of homework may consist of detailed grading, generalized checking, or a combination of both techniques.

Late Homework Policy: Following ARMS policy, homework that is late one school day will receive a 30% grade penalty. Homework that is late from two-five school days will receive a 50% grade penalty.

ZAPP Program: Students who do not complete homework may be assigned to the ZAPP homework program administered by Mr. Stephens.

Teacher/Parent Communication: An open line of communication is encouraged between teachers and parents. Parents may contact teacher by agenda note, email, or phone. Parental visits are encouraged; however, it is the policy of Austin Road Middle school that such visits be arranged 24 hours in advance. All visitors must report to the office before going to other parts of the building. A “Visitors Pass” will be issued as evidence that this procedure has been followed.

Parent/Teacher Conferences: Contact your students’ teacher preferably, by email to arrange parent teacher conferences.

Absence/Make-Up Procedures: Upon returning to school following an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher(s) to request make-up work. Make-up work must be completed by the student within the time specified by the Henry County Secondary Student Handbook. Austin Road Middle School attendance policy mandates that written documentation of an excused absence be provided within three school days of the absence. Documentation should be provided to the Attendance Office.

The student will given the same amount of time to make up the work as the student was absent unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon. The student will receive the actual grade on the make-up work if the absence was “excused.” No credit will be given to work missed for “unexcused”. Make-up work submitted late will receive a zero.

This syllabus is a general outline of the course and is subject to modification.

Each student has been provided with a copy of this syllabus. The syllabus should be signed by a parent/guardian, shown to the teacher for verification, and retained in the student’s notebook.

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Parent/Guardian Signature	Date

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Student Signature	Date