English 8

Mrs. Joanna Burkholder

Email: jburkholder@sfcs.net // Room 403 // 858-755-8900 x 1056

Website: http://mrsbenglish8.edublogs.org/
Writers learn to write by reading, and readers learn to read by writing. You
cannot write well without reading, nor can you read well without writing.
You will do both in this class. Daily.
The goal of English 8 is to provide a rigorous curriculum that will enhance
and develop skills and concepts in the areas of writing, reading, and word
study. You will do this through analysis of text, understanding of the
writing process, and shared inquiry. This class is conversation-based. Be
prepared to participate every day. Overall, this class is designed to make
you THINK and prepare you for high school.
Class Expectations:

What you need:

3-ring binder (at least 1.5) with
4 dividers
College-ruled loose leaf paper
in your binder (not torn from a
spiral notebook)
Pens, pencils, 3+ different
colored highlighters
4x6 note cards (spiral bound)

Follow instructions quickly

Be prepared
Work hard & do your best
Respect everyone- ALWAYS
Be responsible

Agenda for recording

assignments

Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all - Aristotle

Grading:
Participation & Progress 40 %
Performance
60 %
Current grades are available online at
http://grades.sfcs.net

Your choice reading bookALWAYS

An electronic device (NOT
required, but strongly
suggested- your phone does not
count)
Course related booksThe
Pearl, The Voyage of the Dawn
Treader, The Giver, To Kill a
Mockingbird

What we will do:

think critically & creatively // analyze literature // read closely // study characterization, foreshadowing, plot
elements // plan, organize & write // edit and revise our writing // practice various writing structures // learn Greek
& Latin roots // have lively and respectful discussions // identify themes // make predictions & inferences // write
for various audiences // investigate topics using research // take risks // learn from each other // imagine // work
together // analyze credible sources // create projects, art, speeches using various mediums // collaborate
This class is designed to make you THINK and prepare you for high school!

Nitty-gritty details
Absent?

For each day you are absent from school due to an illness, you will receive an additional
day to make up work. It is YOUR responsibility to pick up work that you missed, and
you should do this outside of class time. The exception is if I have assigned any
homework or a test prior to your being absent. If this is the case, you will still be
expected to have completed the work or to take the test on the pre-assigned day.
(ExampleIf I tell you on Monday that there will be a vocabulary vine quiz on Friday
and you are absent on Thursday; you will still be expected to take the quiz on Friday).
If you are leaving early from school for an extracurricular activity, you must turn in your
homework before you leave. Remember: it is your responsibility to complete all missed
assignments and turn them it into the absent work turn-in box when you return to
school. I will not chase you down for missing assignments. ** If you are absent on the
day a long-term assignment is due (essay/project), you must email the assignment to
me or drop it off on campus prior to your class period.

Need help?

Late work?

I am happy to offer extra help as needed. I am available for office hours before and after
school to meet with parents or students. Please remember to sign-up with me ahead of
time so that I may be prepared for your arrival. Be an advocate for your own education.
A few extra minutes of clarification can save you time at home trying to figure it out on
your own.
Homework is due at the beginning of class and will not be accepted late in accordance
with school-wide policy. I encourage you to be resourceful by using school computers,
by emailing a friend to print it out, or by going to a public library.
For major assignments (final drafts of essays, presentations, projects), 10% will be taken
off for every day late whether or not the class meets; assignments will not be accepted after
a week late.

A Note About
Excuses

Technology related issues are not an excuse. We all have to deal with the multitude of
difficulties when it comes to technology. Computer crashes, lost thumb drives, running
out of printer ink, etc. will not excuse you from having to produce work for this class.
Lastly, you may not email assignments to me to print for you.

Honesty &
Integrity

Honesty and integrity are expected from every student. The concept of plagiarism will
be reviewed at the beginning of the school year. The result of a plagiarized assignment
will result in an automatic zero.

Outside
Reading

You will read at least 900 pages (1200 for honors) of literature of your choice. Choose
wisely as you will be expected to produce work related to your books. This should be a
time to read what you are interested and choose topics you love. ** Watching the film
version of a text will not give you enough information.

A Note About
Grading

A Note About
Technology

Participation & Progress (Step 1 & 2): Step 1- Get involved. This class centers around
participation. In order to better understand the material, you will be expected to talk
about it and collaborate with those around you. Participation grades include: discussion
circles, daily bell ringers, journals, blogging, etc. Step 2- Practice: This includes: quizzes,
writers workshop activities, packet work, Article of the Week, etc.
Performance (Step 3): Show me what you know. These include: shared inquiry
discussions, books talks, tests, written assessments, projects, etc.
I strongly recommend that you bring a device to class every day. Your phone does NOT
count as a device, and cannot be used in place of one.
We will be incorporating technology in this class. It is expected that students are
responsible with this freedom and will be required to abide by specific class and school
guideline (as explained at the beginning of the year) in order to participate in use of
technology during class time. If it doesnt add, it detracts.

English 8 Agreement
Dear student,
Please read though these course expectations and discuss them with your parents. Your initials tell me that you
are aware of the course expectations, and you are willing to respect them.
Parents

Student

Initial ____

&

Initial ____

In this class I will be expected to dig deep, to think critically, and to turn in work that
exhibits thought, effort and insight. If I put forth minimal effort, my grade will reflect
that.

Initial ____

&

Initial ____

I understand that Mrs. B wants her students to succeed. If I need help or have
questions, I will email her personally at jburkholder@sfcs.net when I wish to come in.

Initial ____

&

Initial ____

I understand that Mrs. B does not accept late work and I will receive a 0 if I do not
turn in my homework on time.

Initial ____

&

Initial ____

I understand that it is my responsibility to remember passwords and be responsible for

the technology use in this class. These issues do not excuse late work.

Initial ____

&

Initial ____

For major assignments (50+ pts.), late work is accepted at a 10% deduction per day
WHETHER MY CLASS MEETS OR NOT. For example, I will bring my essay in on Friday
even though course 2 does not meet on that day.

Initial ____

&

Initial ____

Initial ____

&

Initial ____

I understand that it is my responsibility to make up work missed during an absence. I

will never assume that Mrs. B will ask me to turn in homework or remind to make up a
quiz.
If I am absent on a group presentation day, I will not be able to make up the points.

Initial ____

&

Initial ____

Initial ____

&

Initial ____

I understand that being responsible is important. I will have all required materials in
class each day. If I am not prepared, I may have to serve a lunch detention.

I understand that I have a responsibility to remain organized. I can find my homework

assignments on the board- in class, on the MySFCS website, or I can call/text a friend. "I
didn't know the homework" is not an excuse.
***I have read the ENTIRE syllabus and discussed it with my parents and I understand the expectations and
requirements for this class.
Parent signatures: ______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Student Signature: ______________________________________________
Course: ____________________
Date: ____________________