Louisville Middle School1200 School Street, Louisville, Ga.

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE 8th Grade English Language Arts

Teacher: Deana Shade-Kirkland Teacher: Jacqueline JukesE-mail: ShadeD@jefferson.k12.ga.us E-mail: JukesJ@jefferson.k12.ga.usCell Phone: (706) 836-5369 Cell Phone: (706) 361-3186School Website: http://www.jefferson.k12.ga.us School phone number: (478) 625-7664

8th Grade Planning/Conference Times: 9:45-10:45AM & 2:20-3:15PM

Course Description:We are excited to have you in 8th Grade Language Arts!  The Language Arts classes are project and theme-based and are designed with an emphasis to help improve literary analysis, writing skills, critical thinking skills, and communication skills through reading, writing, vocabulary, speaking activities and grammar exercises. Students will be exposed to, and will respond to, a wide variety of media including, but not limited to, novels, short stories, poetry, essays, newspaper articles, broadcast news reports, video clips and plays. Eighth grade students will participate in an integrative STEAM project, Row Crop Analysis, prepared by the Jefferson County 8th Grade Team.

Course Texts:The literature textbook that will be utilized as a resource is Elements of Literature: Second Course by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. READ180 students will utilize the READ180 rBook in conjunction with the READ180 LBook as literature and grammar resources. A textbook will not be assigned to students to take home. The following texts are an example of just a few we will be reading in class:

Texts will be used in class only. Students may be issued a grammar compilation for homework practice purposes.

Instructional Philosophy/ Delivery Plan: ● High quality work is expected. All major assignments should be completed at the proficient or

exemplary level. Students will have to revise work as needed until proficiency is reached.● Whole and small group instruction and project-based activities.● Extensive practice in reading and writing.● Homework when assigned will involve reading selections from textbook or novel, completing graphic

organizers, grammar activities, writing activities, or vocabulary practice. Major Course Goals:

● Raise student Lexile levels through intense focus on reading and responding to literary and informational texts. (Students will read in groups, pairs, individually in class AND AT HOME EVERY NIGHT)

● Understand and interpret information through reading and writing.● Communicate effectively through reading, speaking and writing.● Use technology such as word processing, presentation software, and research mediums to complete

projects related to the course.● Develop vocabulary skills- Students will utilize the “Building Academic Vocabulary” program.

Vocabulary words will be identified for the selections taught. Behavioral Expectations

● Students will be expected to have all materials ready and be working on opening assignment immediately upon entering the room.

● Students will refrain from behavior that disrupts learning or is disrespectful to teacher or other students.● Students are expected to follow all school and classroom rules.● Do the work!● Do your best!!

Major Course Projects/ Grades – For each major project or writing, a rubric will be provided.1st 9 weeks informational (non-fiction text) will be our main focus but we will also read and view other stories, poems, and speeches throughout this 9 weeks. We will focus on argumentative writing, narratives, and research projects (short and long) as well. Every day we will produce journals, summaries, and short responses. Grammar and vocabulary will be emphasized weekly.By the end of the first nine weeks, students should be able to say, “I CAN…”

1. …make specific references to passages and events from a text to prove what the text says directly as well as the meaning I can infer indirectly.

2. ...determine a central idea and explain its development throughout the text using specific details; objectively summarize.

3. …compare and contrast the structures and styles found in two or more texts.4. …compare and contrast a subject presented through various mediums.5. ...evaluate the argument and specific claims in terms of 1) reasoning and evidence (is it sound

and sufficient?), and 2) false statements and fallacious reasoning.6. …present my argument in a formal style that includes an introduction, supporting details with

transitions, a counter argument and provide a concluding statement/section that supports my argument.

7. …compose written responses and include textual evidence to strengthen my analysis, reflection, and/or research.

8. …write (journal, reflection, research) for a variety of reasons (inform, describe, entertain).9. …determine if a speaker has provided enough relevant evidence to support his/her claim or

argument.10. …distinguish between literal and figurative language and analyze how certain words and

phrases with similar denotations have different connotations. 11. …recognize (and acquire) the difference between general academic words/phrases and domain-

specific words/phrases.12. …infer the meaning of unknown words using context clues.

Dear Parents/Guardians,We are looking forward to teaching your child this year. We come from many years of middle school experience and much success with raising students’ achievement in reading and writing! We will be pushing your child EVERY DAY to READ AND WRITE because the demands for reading and writing are PARAMOUNT at the high school and college levels, and to be successful and productive in our society today. We are just a phone call OR email away and ANYTIME you wish to visit our classrooms, you will be welcomed!!

Deana Shade-Kirkland Jacqueline JukesShadeD @jefferson.k12.ga.us JukesJ@jefferson.k12.ga.us

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