Grade 8 Homeroom 8 Mrs. Marnoch

English Language Arts - Grades 7, 8 & 9

The aim of English Language Arts is to help students develop their skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and representing.  Throughout the year, students will learn and develop literacy skills based on the following English Language Arts Band Descriptors, as outlined in the Manitoba ELA curriculum:

•             Language as Sense Making (reading strategies)

•             Language as System (editing and revision of text)

•             Language as Exploration and Design (researching and creating text)

•             Language as Power and Agency (critical thinking)

Grade 7 Course Content - Units of study may include the following. Please note changes may occur depending on student interest, student needs and time factors.

• Grammar Review
•  Alphabiography
• The Day of the Dead Mini Unit
•  Elements of Plot
•  Novel Study and Literature Circles
•  Inferencing
•  Exploring Greek Mythology
• Residential schools inquiry unit
• Book and Movie Reviews
•  Speech Writing
•  Poetry

Grade 8 Course Content - Units of study may include the following. Please note changes may occur depending on student interest, student needs and time factors.

• Grammar Review
•  Alphabiography
• Elements of Plot
• Novel Study and Literature Circles
•  Inferencing
• Residential schools inquiry unit
• Letter writing
• Book and Movie Reviews
• Speech Writing
• Poetry

Evaluation - Marks will be based upon the three Essential Learning Outcomes listed below. Not all tasks will be used in the calculation of the student's final grade. To support student learning, several non-graded formative assessments will be used where students will receive teacher feedback, allowing them to identify their comprehension of the concepts in preparation for a graded summative assessment.

1.)           Comprehension (Reading, Listening and Viewing)

2.)           Communication (Writing, Speaking and Representing)

3.)           Critical Thinking

Academic Achievement of Provincial Expectations/Grade Scale:

4 (80% to 100%) Very good to excellent understanding and application of concepts and skills (Student thoroughly understands all or nearly all concepts and/or skills; student routinely makes connections to similar concepts and skills; student applies creatively to own life and support new learning)

3  (70% to 79%) Good understanding and application of concepts and skills (Student understands most concepts and skills; student often makes connections to similar concepts and skills; student sometimes applies to own life and to support new learning)

2  (60% to 69%) Basic understanding and application of concepts and skills (Student understands most concepts and skills; student occasionally makes connections to similar concepts and skills)

1   (50% to 59%) Limited understanding and application of concepts and skills (Student understands some key concepts and skills; student rarely makes connections to similar concepts and skills)

ND  Does Not yet Demonstrate the required understanding and application of concepts & skills.

Extra opportunities you should know about!

All students are capable of success in English Language Arts! The right attitude and work ethic, as well as coming to class organized and prepared to participate both play a major role in ensuring that success is realized. Two key opportunities are in place to help you achieve success in English Language Arts this year:

1.            Extra help is available consistently, one lunch hour per week (day is posted in the classroom), as well as by appointment.

2.            Students have the opportunity to make improvements on tasks that are used in the determination of their final grade. It is important that all students strive to meet curriculum expectations, however this often comes with varying stages of success for various learners. Students have the opportunity to make corrections or redo tasks of equal validity in order to demonstrate their understanding. Students are encouraged to seek out these opportunities when necessary by consulting with their teacher and scheduling a time during stated extra-help times.

Expectations of Students - Students are expected to attend class, not just physically but mentally. They are expected to be ready to participate and explore new ideas and concepts. Students are expected to be prepared with a pen/pencil, eraser, and binder. Using class time to return to lockers to retrieve such materials is not ideal, as class time is extremely valuable. Students are expected to behave in a manner conducive to learning, and engage in positive interactions with ALL students and adults within the classroom. Respect for others, for property, and for the education of all students in the class are of the utmost importance at all times.