VGLA English / Reading 8

2008-2009

Mrs. Debra Poulton

Virginia Middle School – 276-821-5660

Email – dpoulton@bvps.org

Text

Elements of Language, Second Course, Holt/Rinehart/Winston

Elements of Literature, Second Course, Holt/Rinehart/Winston

Supplemental Material as required for objective achievement

Course Objectives

The following required 8^th Grade SOL skills will be taught:

8.1       The student will use interviewing techniques to gain information.

8.2       The student will develop and deliver oral presentations in groups and              individually.

8.3       The student will analyze mass media messages.

8.4       The student will apply knowledge of word origins, derivations, inflections, analogies, and figurative language to extend vocabulary development.

8.5       The student will read and analyze a variety of narrative and poetic forms.

8.6       The student will read, comprehend, and analyze a variety of informational sources.

8.7       The student will write in a variety of forms, including narrative, expository, persuasive, and informational.

8.8       The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and paragraphing.

Course Outline

• 1^st Six Weeks – Read and analyze a variety of narrative forms; use context, structure, and connotations to determine word meaning; write using complete sentences, dialogue, and appropriate punctuation.

          Essay: Personal Narrative

• 2^nd Six Weeks – Read and analyze a variety of narrative and informational forms identifying character, conflict, main idea, and character’s motivation; use subject/verb agreement; use pronoun/antecedent agreement; use compound object pronouns in prepositional phrases.

          Essay: Explaining a complex process

• 3^rd Six Weeks – Read and analyze a variety of narrative and informational forms identifying context clues, word analogies, chronological order, non-fiction, setting, inferences, and character; write using consistent verb tense; use comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs.

          Essay:  Persuasive Essay

• 4^th Six Weeks – Read and analyze a variety of narrative and informational forms, identifying them, main idea, supporting details, irony, synonyms, figure of speech, and style; review SOL writing test skills.

          Essay:  Comparison and Contrast Essay

• 5^th Six Weeks – Read and interpret poetry identifying sound devices, figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and rhythm.

          Essay:  Cause and Effect

• 6^th Six Weeks – Read, comprehend, and analyze a novel; draw conclusions based on implied and explicit information; make inferences.

          Essay:  Business Letter

• Students will participate all year in the Accelerated Reading Program (AR).  A grade will be assigned each six weeks for participation in the AR program, and will then be averaged in with the final six week’s grade.

Methods

 ·         Daily grades will consist of participation, grammar and reading. 

·         Tests will be given periodically at the end of each unit or lesson.  Tests will be cumulative and will focus on material already covered. 

·         Writing assignments will be given. 

·         Grammar and reading comprehension will be taught every week through assignments and periodic testing.

Grading Policy

• Daily assignments will be weighted and will count one time.
• Tests and writing assignments will be weighted and will count twice.
• Three-week reports are issued to students in the middle of each six-week.
• Semester grades are obtained by averaging the final six weeks average of the three grading periods twice and the semester exam once.
• Year-end grades are determined by averaging the first and second semester grades.

Make-up Work

• Students are responsible for asking for any work missed during an absence.
• The time allocated for missed work is equal to the number of days missed.
• No zeroes will be accepted.  All work must be made up.

Teacher’s Notes

I welcome communication from parents and students.  Arrangements can be made for additional assistance on lessons either before or after school.  The student should make prior arrangements with me for tutoring.  I stay every Thursday until 4 PM.  You may contact me at home or school.  Please make all at-home calls before 9:30 p.m.

Virginia Middle School – 276-821-5660

Mrs. Poulton (Home) – 276-466-9435

Email – dpoulton@bristolvaschools.org

Website – www.bvps.org/dpoulton