Ms Garr
Email: garr_s@surreyschools.ca
Twitter: @teachergarr
Web site: https://garrs.webnode.com (for homework updates etc.)
Blog: teachergarr.blogspot.ca
Phone: 604-543-8749
Overview: Welcome to English 8!
The central aim of English 8 is to develop an enjoyment of reading and writing. Daily classroom work will include editing skills, oral and silent reading, speaking, viewing, and representing. A variety of projects will be assigned including creative writing, drama, group and independent work.
Summary derived from the Prescribed Learning Outcomes for Grade 8:
• use evidence to explain and support responses, analyses, and interpretations of texts
• select and apply strategies to construct, monitor, extend, and confirm meaning before, during, and after listening, reading, and viewing
• select and apply strategies to develop, organize, revise, and publish written, visual, and oral communications
• use metacognitive strategies to reflect on and assess speaking and listening, reading and viewing, and writing and representing
• use the features, structures, and patterns of language to make meaning from what is heard, read, and viewed
• use features, structures, and conventions of language to enhance meaning and artistry in written and spoken communications
• interact with others to explore, understand, and create ideas and texts
• select and read a variety of texts for enjoyment and to increase fluency
• listen, read, and view literary, information, and visual texts to comprehend, analyse, and synthesize ideas, attending to bias and perspective
• create personal oral and written communications and representations with clearly developed ideas that connect experiences, ideas, opinions, and feelings
• speak, write, and represent information, persuasive, narrative, poetic, and descriptive texts to communicate ideas and information with a clear purpose and form
• speak, write, and represent to interpret, analyse, and synthesize ideas and information, attending to bias and perspective
COURSE CONTENT:
1. NOVELS:
Textbooks: The Outsiders
Focus: Theme, character development, and reader response
2. SHORT STORIES: Short Story Booklet
Focus: Structure, terminology, theme, and character development.
3. POETRY:
Textbooks: Prism of Poetry and other sources.
Focus: Interpretive analysis and literary devices.
4. COMPOSITION:
Focus: The writing process including sentence structure and the descriptive, narrative and expository paragraph. Emphasis on building vocabulary, editing and revision of drafts. Students will also be creating e-Portfolios.
5. PUBLIC SPEAKING, MYTHS, FAIRY TALES & LEGENDS:
Focus: Preparing speeches, speaking to/for an audience, building confidence. Students will explore myths, fairy tales and legends and read them aloud to demonstrate public speaking skills.
6. LITERATURE CIRCLES NOVEL STUDY:
Focus: Students choose from a selection of novels. The unit consists of journal response and literature circle discussions.
In addition, silent reading will be a part of each class. Grammar, word usage and spelling will be incorporated into the above units.
MATERIALS: #3-ring binder, dividers, duo tang, dictionary and post-it notes, pens and pencils. Occasionally, other creative materials will be requested. It would also be helpful to have access to a computer/internet at home.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS and EXPECTATIONS:
All students are expected to:
* Come to class on time with the necessary materials.
* Complete all assignments and homework on time. A note will be required if students wish to hand in late or missing assignments for reasons other than illness or family emergencies. Please check the homework board after each class and record in agenda, or check my website online.
* Treat others with respect and courtesy.
* At the start of class, enter the room quietly, check the front board for the day's agenda and begin silent reading.
* Be an active and responsible learner.
* At the end of the class, remain seated until dismissed by the teacher.
* NO cell phones, MP3 players etc. are allowed in class. They will be confiscated in order to be picked up in the office by a parent.
Evaluation:
Process Assignments 20%
Impromptu Assignments 20%
Oral Presentations 20%
Summative Assessment 25%
Final Assessment 15%
In the event that there is a significant discrepancy between the skills demonstrated by a student on work done in-class and work done out of class, the student’s in-class work with constitute their over-all evaluation. Questionable out-of-class samples may be disregarded.
I have read and understood the above course requirements and expectations.
Student Signature: Parent/Guardian Signature:
_____________________ _______________________
Parent/Guardian email (for communication and regular mark updates):
____________________________________ (Please print neatly)
Student email (for communication and regular mark updates):
____________________________________ (Please print neatly)