Readers' and Writers' Workshop
A big difference that you will see in grade eight is one period of language arts instead of the two periods you’re used to.  This means that more reading and writing will take place at home, during flex and in other classes.

Reading

Each student is expected to read a minimum of 350 pages every ten days and log his/her reading during trimester 1.  Different people read different ways, so my goal is to have students read enough that they have ample plot to discuss and support their reasoning.  This means a student can read 35 pages a day or a larger amount during a shorter amount of days.  
While reading, you should quick-jot to record what you’re thinking about, questioning, surprised by, etc.  These quick-jots will be used during partner book discussion and teacher reading conferencing.  You can write quick-jots directly into your reading journal or on post-it notes.  You will also often utilize observations written down in quick-jots to help you write constructed responses/long-writes.

Writing

Writing really goes hand-in-hand with reading.  Many of your essays will be more formal, developed pieces where you take an observation and write-long on it.  For example, you might write a literary essay about a theme that is shared in two texts, or an author's craft used by an author to let her reader know something sinister is about to occur.   In addition, you will write a memoir after reading multiple published memoirs and analyzing varied authors' styles, and I will support you in the argument writing you will do in Mrs. O'Mara's history class.
The goal this year is to consistently help you communicate your thoughts, observations and opinions in a fluent, interesting, and, at times, entertaining way.  My goal is to help you find your voice and build upon who you became as a writer in seventh grade. 
Please know that all essays and constructed responses can be rewritten to help you strengthen your skills as a writer.

Grading Policy

Your trimester grade will be based upon your mastery of the skills associated with reading and writing. Essays and long-term assignments will be announced at least four days in advance. Students are allowed to have texts with them during all assessments and often part of their grade is based upon the notes and preparation (quick-jots) taken prior to assessment. Students will be given one week to make up any tests, papers, or quizzes they’ve missed due to an excused absence from school.
 
Essays, summative assessments, presentations - 50%

Constructed responses/long-writes - 30%

Writing fluency/grammar and vocabulary usage - 10%

Reading logs and quick-jots - 10%

What is needed for class

A reading book that is appropriate for your reading level and your reading log should be brought to class every day. Students will be brought to the school library and made aware of assigned genres far in advance, but it is their responsibility to have an appropriate book at all times.
Other materials that I would recommend:
a folder
1 separate spiral one-subject notebook (college ruled) for writing
1 blue or black pen; 1 red pen
post-it notes and/or a reading journal
a flash drive to store electronic files – 2 GB is fine
Your materials should be organized and neat to maintain success and critical understanding as we navigate through the language arts materials this year.  

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the submission of another’s work as one’s own.  It is only appropriate to “borrow” the words of another source when that source is appropriately identified.  I will give any plagiarized assignment an immediate grade of zero. I will call the parent or guardian of the plagiarist to report the incident.  I will analyze following assignments closely.  If you can find something in a book or on the Internet, a teacher can as well.  Do your best work, which is bound to be much better than any copied-and-pasted work that is not your own.