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Syllabus

English Language Arts
Owasso Eighth Grade Center
Owasso Public Schools


Instructor Information:
Amy Allen, MS Human Relations, Secondary Education

Course Webpage: https://8gc.owassops.org (click on staff directory)

Email: [email protected]

Expectations: 

You are expected to turn in all assignments on time and to the best of your ability. You must title and label your papers correctly. Behavior should never be an issue in class. Any issues will result in communication with parents immediately, no warnings. We have a lot to cover, and maturity is a must. This is your last year before high school. If you allow it, my classroom environment will be FUN and UPBEAT. If you use your class time at 100%, you won’t be stuck with hours of homework each week. Be on time and work hard!

Take care of your restroom needs before class.

Do not ask to go to the restroom when the bell rings. 

Unless you have special circumstances, it will be difficult to leave class.


Virtual Class (Pivot to Home):  In the event we are scheduled for virtual days, Pivot to Home, students should log into Google Classroom during their regular course time as if they were at school and click on the Google Meet link in the top left corner of the class page.  I will be present and will take attendance.  The class will be conducted as if we were in the classroom.  It is not optional.  You may be in your pajamas but must adhere to school policy and practice modesty.  If you are not appropriate in either dress or language, you will be asked to leave and parents will be notified.


Prerequisites: It is assumed you possess the following basic skills: writing in complete sentences, ability to interpret and create descriptions using figurative language, word study, basic prefixes and suffixes, narrative writing with dialogue, and basic paragraphing construction. Note-taking skills are used daily. Knowledge of Google Drive and the operation of a Chromebook is helpful.

Topic Outline: Below is a very general outline of the course content. The entire course description can be found in the Owasso Course Catalog or on my webpage.


ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS - updated to new standards
I. Speaking and Listening - Students will listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations.

  1. Develop and apply effective communication skills through speaking and active listening
     b. Develop and apply effective communication skills to share ideas through speaking.
  2. Reading and Writing Process - Students will use a variety of recursive reading and writing processes.
  3. Students will read and comprehend inclusive, diverse, and increasingly complex literary and informational texts.
  4. Students will engage in a recursive process that may include prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.

III. Critical Reading and Writing - Students will apply critical thinking skills to reading and writing.

  1. Students will analyze, interpret, and evaluate increasingly complex

literary and informational texts that include a wide range of historical,

cultural, ethnic, and global perspectives from a variety of genres.

  1. Students will thoughtfully and intentionally write, addressing a range of modes, purposes, and audiences.

  1. Vocabulary - Students will expand and apply their spoken and reading vocabularies to speak, read, and write effectively.
  2. Students will expand their grade-level vocabularies through reading, word study, and class discussion.
  3. Students will apply knowledge of vocabulary to speak and write effectively.
  4. Language - Students will expand and apply knowledge of grammar, mechanics, and style to comprehend texts and communicate effectively.
  5. Students will expand and apply knowledge of grammar, mechanics, and style to comprehend, analyze, and/or evaluate a variety of texts.
  6. Students will expand and apply knowledge of grammar, mechanics, and style to speak and write effectively, demonstrating standard usage when appropriate.
  7. Research - Students will engage in inquiry to acquire, refine, and communicate accurate information.
  8. Students will gather, comprehend, evaluate, and synthesize researched information to acquire and refine knowledge.
  9. Students will synthesize information ethically through speaking and writing.

VII. Multimodal Literacies - Students will comprehend and communicate knowledge through alphabetic, aural, visual, spatial, and/or gestural content.

  1. Students will comprehend and evaluate multimodal content.
  2. Students will create multimodal content to communicate effectively.

VIII. Independent Reading and Writing - Students will read and write Independently for a variety of purposes and periods of time.

  1. Students will read self-selected texts independently, choosing genres to suit and expand their personal preferences and purposes.
  2. Students will write independently, intentionally selecting modes, purposes, and audiences.
  1. College Preparation for ADVANCED SECTIONS
  1. ACT/SAT Prep
  2. Career Assessment
  3. Scholarships

Texts/Web-based activities
 Brozo, William G. Literature. Hoboken, NJ: Pearson, 2015. Print
(Digital textbook access is available through Powerschool login)
 Various Novels
 Self-Selected Text over Holocaust and other World Events
 Teacher Selected Film as Multimodal Literacies

 NoRedInk.com and Vocabulary.com are used as district-adopted texts

 Readworks.com, Common Lit


Supplies needed for this class:

School supply list is on School Website

Optional / Requesting: Packs of candy or water bottle stickers for positive reinforcement


NOTE: I don’t require the use of a binder. We use Chromebooks. Most of our work is digital.
Library Fees: We will be checking out many books throughout the year. It is your responsibility to set reminders for library due dates. Overdue book fines are .05 per day. It is a good idea to always keep $1.00 in your backpack for library fees only.


CELL PHONE POLICY:  There is a “no cell phone policy” in the classroom.  We have discovered that the devices are more of a hindrance than a help.  Upon entering the classroom, students will place their phone in their assigned pocket.  At the end of class, they will retrieve their cell phone.  Any student caught with their phone in class will receive a discipline referral.  If you need to get in contact with your child while they are in class, feel free to call the office at 918.272.6274.



Absent & Late Work: When a student is absent from class, it is the STUDENT’S responsibility to get missing assignments and to turn them in on time. Daily assignments are posted in Google Classroom along with most handouts. Most of the time, you can finish the assignment from home and be on track for the next day. I will not remind you to turn in late work. Late work is allowed up to one day past the due date for ½ credit and is NOT PERMITTED on projects, long-term assignments or book proofs. It will be your responsibility to follow the guidelines stated in the student handbook.

Grading Policy: Grades are updated almost daily. Essays and reports take longer to grade. I do adhere to the school’s grading
policy.
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D= 60-69
F = 59 and below


Assignments, Projects, and Exams: Assignments will be posted on the board and in Google Classroom daily. Below are general assignments. A more detailed list with due dates are located on my webpage under the link “Upcoming Projects”.
Daily Novel Grade (NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ALLOWED)
Book Proof – Each Month (NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ALLOWED)
Interactive Student Notebook (ISN)

Daily Grammar Practice - (DGP/ ACT/ SAT Prep) - Intermittently
Quick Writes – As Assigned
Essay Projects – Regularly (These are turned in to the Google Classroom assignment box)
Research Paper
Poetry Competition (NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ALLOWED)
Essay Competition (NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ALLOWED)

No Red Ink

Readworks

Vocabulary.com

NOTE: Assignments may be added/ changed throughout the year.


General Reading: By now, you should be a lifelong reader, reading for information and pleasure. Always be involved in a novel. It is your responsibility to complete one novel per month. Due dates for book proofs are listed on my webpage under “Upcoming Projects”.


Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else’s work and passing it off as your own. ANY product of plagiarism will result in a zero and possibly disciplinary action. Your plagiarism checker should show less than 30% at all times.

Google Drive: We will be working out of Google Drive and Google Classroom You will turn in hard copies of some assignments while others will be turned in electronically.. Be responsible. Keep documents in your drive “clean and appropriate”. You will be held responsible for all items on your Google Drive that are connected to our school account. Failure to use technology in a responsible manner will result in you forfeiting the privilege or could cause you to be limited to a classroom computer that is visible to the teacher.


HELPFUL TIPS:
1. Check Google Classroom daily to keep up with assignments. 

  1. Bring a novel to class daily. 
  2. Turn in your work on time.
  3. Check Powerschool frequently to updated on your grades.
  4. Be comfortable with emailing your teacher with questions or concerns.

Student Emails: (this will be your Chromebook log-in as well.)

Username = 1st initial, last initial, student id       Ex. kb930293

Password = OPS (8digit birthdate)       Ex. OPS06091993


When signing in to any digital platform, sign in with your Google account


Remind: Text “@mrsa-ela22” to 81010. This will automatically sign you up for any announcements pushed out by me via Remind. I don’t post general school announcements and little reminders about projects in Classroom as it clutters our stream. I will use Remind for general helpful reminders. You are important to me. I am here for you and will do whatever I can to you throughout the year. If you allow it, you will have a wonderful time learning information that will help you throughout the rest of your life. If you need help with any of your assignments, please let me know so we can arrange a time to meet.


DISCLAIMER! - Assignment information in this document is subject to change.  


MRS. ALLEN’S SCHEDULE:  

1st hr - Plan

2nd hr - English

3rd hr - English

4th hr -  English

          2nd Lunch

5th hr - English

6th hr - Advanced English


All English classrooms are open before and after school for students.  This is a great time to get extra help, ask questions about assignments, or just get a little extra time to work on assignments.  If I am not in my room, another English teacher will be happy to help. 


Looking forward to an awesome year together!


Amy Allen