8th grade syllabus

1. The American International School in Cyprus
PO Box 23847 - 11 Kassos Street - 1686 Nicosia, CYPRUS - Phone 357•22316345 - Fax 357•22316549Mr. Walid
Abushakra, Superintendent Ms. Michelle Kleiss, Director
Grade 8 English Syllabus and Course Information
Troy White, Room 114
stepintoourclassroom@gmail.com
Brief course Academic Year 2010-2011 description:
Grade 8 language arts for English
helps students integrate their language skills of reading, writing, listening, speaking and
presenting. The course is designed to foster an understanding of multicultural themes
though the encouragement of critical thinking. Students will analyze themselves as
learners in an effort to develop strong learning and study skills. Units and individual
lessons incorporate the standards of the Virginia Department of Education.
Assessment and Evaluation is performance based, centered upon authentic task that
are both practical and relevant to the grade 8 English language arts student. Eighth
grade language arts promotes interdisciplinary learning. Skills and knowledge
acquired during the course are efficiently transferred to promote success among
other
Essential Questions
How can I implement language to think and communicate more effectively?
How can I become a strong independent reader?
How can I use a variety of writing styles to express myself in a multitude of
scenarios?
What reading tools do successful readers use in order to comprehend a text?
Language Arts Standards
Standards are based on the Virginia Department of Education tenth grade
Language Arts Standards.
Oral Language
10.1 The student will participate in and report on small-group learning activities.
10.2 The student will critique oral reports of small-group learning activities.
Reading Analysis
10.3 The student will read, comprehend, and critique literary works.
10.4 The student will read and interpret informational materials.
10.5 The student will read and analyze a variety of poetry.
Writing
10.6 The student will read and critique dramatic selections.
10.7 The student will read and critique dramatic selections.
10.8 The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization,
punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and paragraphing
10.9 The student will critique professional and peer writing.
10.10 The student will use writing to interpret, analyze, and evaluate ideas.
Research
10.11 The student will collect, evaluate, organize, and present information.
Overview of Texts
Short Stories
“The Monkey’s Paw”, Jacobs
“Tell-Tale Heart”, Poe
“There Will Come Soft Rains”, Ray Bradbury
Fully Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Member of the International Baccalaureate Organization – Geneva, Switzerland

2. “Pigs is Pigs”, Ellis Parker Butler
“Hunters in the Snow”, Tobias Wolff
Non-Fiction
“The Dogs Could Teach Me”, Paulsen
Drama
“Much Ado About Nothing”, William Shakespeare
Poetry- selected works from:
Gary Soto
Langston Hughes
Edger Allan Poe
Novel Studies
The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton
Taste of Salt, Frances Temple
The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway
Black Pearl, Scott O’Dell
Shabanu, Suzanne Fisher
Grading Policy
10 % Homework
10% Independent Reading
10% Participation
40% Test/Project/MWA see PWL
15% Writing Process
15% Quizzes
Grade Breakdown
Writing
- Personal Response
- Critical Analytical Writing
- Technical Writing
- Research Report
Oral Language
- Presentations
- Poetry Recital
- Dramas
Terms for Assignments: All assignments are due on the due dates specified in class.
When students have an EXCUSABLE absence they will have one school day to submit
the late work without any penalty. Such make-ups will only be initiated at the request
of the student.
Late work: Work submitted after the specified due date will accepted at a reduction
of one grade level per class session.
Expectations:
- Attend each class session
- Come prepared to class; bring your required materials
- Demonstrate and embody the AISC learner profile

3.  Respect the rights of others- Treat everyone fairly and with dignity
 Always act in an honest manner
 Demonstrate and foster a high level of international mindedness
 Challenge yourself daily and employ critical thinking
- Fully participate in class
 Ask clarifying questions
 Respect differences of opinion
 Ensure that all voices are heard
 Never be confrontational- respectfully challenge ideas
 Encourage and support others who might be reluctant to participate- be a
good leader
 Refer back to text to support and clarify points
 Understand that there is never an absolute answer, but a process through
which you will see multiple perspectives- the complexity of possibilities that
makes up life is the subject of literature
Department Plagiarism Policy:
Plagiarism is knowing, or even unknowingly, using the words or ideas of others. The
copying of another person’s work either in its entirety or in part (other students,
internet, other published works, etcetera) will result in zero marks. No second chances!
Supplies
Please bring to class each day:
o Lined paper with holes
o 1 two ring binder
o Your AISC agenda
o Black or blue ball point pens, colored correcting pen, pencils, highlighters
o Flash/pen drive
o Computer microphone (this may be built into a laptop)
Technology Component
The AISC language arts program supports integrated technology. Students will be
required to demonstrate a number of technical capacities; email correspondence,
blog/wiki writing, forum discussions, digital voice recordings, etc.