LA8 SYLLABUS - 2010

8th GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS -
SYLLABUS/GREEN SHEET -
Marilyn A. Tietgens - Rm A-2

August, 2010 - June, 2011
--- Grammar, spelling, vocabulary, writing, memorization, speaking & listening skills will be taught through literature studies, selected readings, & classical roots.
--- All of the California Standards being addressed for a particular subject area
can be found on pages CA4 through CA19 of the Prentice Hall Literature Book (Silver Level).
--- Accelerated Reader quizzes or book reports may be required on in-class
novels.
--- All major writing domains & poetry will be taught using the Silver Level
(California edition) of the District-adopted, Prentice Hall Literature Book
series.

DISTRICT PROVIDED MATERIALS -
(replacement values in parenthesis)
Your student will receive:
1-Prentice Hall Literature Book ($75)
1-Prentice Hall Grammar Book ($35)
1-Prentice Hall Companion Reader ($10)
1-Prentice Hall Selection Support Skills Workbook ($10)

GOALS/OBJECTIVES-
--- to integrate listening, reading, writing and speaking skills into our
writing-based program.
--- to increase students' critical thinking skills
--- to help students learn time management
--- to help students accept responsibility of required tasks

GRADING-
--- Grading is based on an equally weighted category system.
--- Essays, Projects, Homework, AR, Book Reports, Vocab/Spelling, etc., are
factored into 6-wk progress reports & the final grade.
--- A=90-100; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=60-69; F=0-59.
--- Per semester, late work is accepted for a max grade of 50%. (If not submitted
for partial credit, the “Z” grade registers as a zero.)
--- I do not allow "extra credit." I expect your student to do the assigned work.
--- State standards are tested on an ongoing basis with each unit of study.

HOMEWORK -
--- student usually has a printed handout of assignments. Check with your child
regularly to see what is due. E-mail me directly if you have questions.
--- student is responsible for handling instruction sheets for the duration of an
assignment. (If lost, the student should check with a classmate to obtain the
information.)
--- check student's binder reminder for extra information

PINNACLE INTERNET VIEWER-
--- http://piv.sjusd.org -- check it regularly.
--- check regularly for posted grades (my goal is bi-weekly input.)
--- obtain your student's ID and PASSWORD from Castillero's Registrar (front
office). If you don't have access to the internet, utilize services offered at the
Public Library. Contact me directly, if all else fails.
--- Grade Cues: “Z” student hasn't submitted assignment; can still be turned in.
--- dash/blank=assignment received, upcoming due date, not yet graded
--- 0 (zero) = credit disallowed.

AR Reading requirements.
--- 40+ curriculum-related AR book titles are available to read in class.
--- 10+ minutes are given at the beginning of each period to read one of these
books. Student must read 1 class book every 6 weeks, (3 per semester).
--- AR quiz must be taken upon completion and a 60% is passing
--- Book Reports are sometimes required, in addition to the AR quiz
--- Core novels that will be read in addition to these books are The Pearl and
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Woman. There will be significant projects
associated with each of these novels.

ABSENCES & MAKE-UP WORK
--- Full credit = 1 day per excused absence
--- If absent only the day of a major project or test, project must be in my mailbox
by the end of that day.
--- Make-up tests are expected to be taken on the day of the student's return.
--- Projects or HW submitted later than 3 days (unexcused) can earn no more
than 50%.
--- Suspensions = generally, assignments will be considered late.
--- Plagiarism or cheating = 0 (zero), credit disallowed and infraction copied to
CUM folder.

CLASS RULES:
--- posted in classroom
--- eating or drinking of liquids is not allowed
--- gum is not allowed at any time
--- cell phones must be off during the day, otherwise they will be taken away
and given to an administrator. Parent must arrange to retrieve the device.
--- students must be respectful to adults and peers. Negative behavior will be
addressed on an individual basis and parents will be notified.

CONTACTING TEACHER
--- establish an e-mail account with the District.
--- visit San Jose Unifed's web site
--- follow "Parent e-mail registration" to set up communication.
Send an e-mail to marilyn_tietgens@sjusd.org to establish test message. We
can then have direct contact, as needed. (Please don’t expect instantaneous
responses.)
--- ALWAYS use your student's first name AND last name in the communiqué. I
can’t respond if I don't know who the e-mail is about.