8+Language+Arts+Outline



** Grade Eight English Course Outline  ** **2009/ 2010 **

** Ms. Bartoshyk **
**__ Course Overview __** The aim of English language arts is to enable each student to understand and appreciate language and to use it confidently and completely in a variety of situations for communication, personal satisfaction and learning. Thus, the program is designed to provide for the development of the essential concepts, skills and attitudes required for effective communication in all environments. Students will be provided with opportunities to experience language in functional, artistic and pleasure situations with the aim:
 * To develop an awareness of and interest in how language works;
 * To develop an understanding and appreciation of a wide range of language use;
 * To develop flexibility in using language for a variety of purposes.

**__ Course Content __**
As time and student interest allow, major intensive works of studies will include, **//Romeo and Juliet//** (William Shakespeare). Students will also study a selection of the following works: **//Of Mice and Men//** (John Steinbeck), **//Three Cups of Tea (//** Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin), and **//Samurai Shortstop//** (Alan Gratz). Students will also follow a vocabulary program using **Words Are Important-** **Book One**, and a grammar program using the **Write Source 2000** series. Also included in the yearly plan, students will study a variety of short stories and poems, and complete several thematic units, essays, and a research project. // *As time and student interest allow, literary works of study may be added or deleted. // =__  Evaluation  __= Reporting periods are cumulative. Major Assignments and Tests 45% Daily Work and Quizzes 40% Grammar / Vocabulary 15% 100%

**__ Student Expectations __**
Speech Day is one of the oldest traditions at STS. On the last Wednesday before school is adjourned for Spring Break, the Junior and Senior High staff and students have the opportunity to watch students compete against each other in a number of specific categories including Impromptu speaking and Acting. Just a reminder to students that all material used must be original and prepared specifically for Speech Day. Material used at a previous event, whether in the school or at an outside competition, is not permitted. The STS community has always produced some of the best student speakers in the country and we are all looking forward to another outstanding display of your talents. **__ English Department Contests __** There are a number of literary contests throughout the school year for students to compete in. The STS English Department in conjunction with various long-time sponsors from the STS community hosts two competitions for Junior High students to enjoy. I. The Christy Worsley Short Story Creative Writing Contest for Junior High - Due Date: 12 November 2009 II. The Christy Worsley Poetry Writing Contest for Junior High - Due Date: 30 April 2010 More information regarding these contests will be provided within English classes. **__ Contact Information __** Michelle Bartoshyk E-mail:bartosm@sts.ab.ca Phone: (403)938-4431 ext 233
 * Be on time for class, and be prepared to participate in classroom discussions and activities.
 * Assignments must be handed in on the day they are due. It is your responsibility to come to class with a HARD COPY of your work. Do not expect to be dismissed from class to print out an assignment on its due date.
 * Late assignments will be dealt with on an individual basis and work not handed in will result in a phone call home with the assignment still being submitted.
 * If you are absent from class, you are responsible for the notes, materials and assignments that you missed.
 * Your //‘Grammar’// and //‘Words Are Important’// workbooks should always be in class with you. You can work on these workbooks if you have any extra time.
 * The principles of academic integrity will be upheld in accordance with the mission of the school. Issues of plagiarism will be dealt with accordingly.
 * Students are expected to read four to six novels independently. There will be time given for independent reading on a regular basis.
 * __ Speech Day – Wednesday, March 24, 2010  __**