8th Grade ELA

with Mrs. Shirley

So excited to get to know you!

Welcome to 8th Grade Language Arts! We have a lot of amazing learning to do this year to get ready for high school. We will explore a variety of texts, examining them with a critical eye and investigating how different perspectives can help us better understand the human experience.

This classroom adheres to all guidelines outlined in the student handbook.

Erin.Shirley@jeffco.k12.co.us (preferred)

Erin.Shirley@jeffcoschools.us

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303-982-0564

Class website with Google

Classroom codes!

• Flexible 1” 3 ring binder
• Pencils & highlighters
• Chromebook & charger
• Independent reading book
• Phones/Airpods are ALWAYS away during class.

Infinite Campus is where all grades will be posted and updated weekly. Be sure to check it consistently to stay on top of work!

2024-2025

Year Long Plan:

Semester One:

• Places We Call Home short story unit
• The Thrill of Horror Literary Analysis Unit

Semester Two:

• The Fight for Freedom Research Paper Unit
• Finding Your Path Argumentative Unit

• Core work will not be accepted as late; this is a grade for in class work.
• If you miss a formative assignment/assessment, you have until the end of the unit to turn it in.
• If you miss a summative assessment, you have one week to turn it in.
• If you score below proficient (2.5) on a formative assessment, you will have the opportunity to redo the assessment. I will set the guidelines for this, but you have to reach out to me for this opportunity.
• Email/come talk to me about any late work or missing work you are worried about, we can figure out how to catch you up together.

• All work is posted on Google Classroom. Check the slides/materials from the days missed so you do not fall behind.
• It is your responsibility to schedule a time within 2 days of absences to make up any assignments that need to be done in school unless otherwise arranged.
• Always touch base/email me if you know about absences in advance. This is especially important if you know a summative assessment will fall on a day you will be absent.

We will work together to find a system that works for you if we are having trouble focusing. This looks like:

1. General class reminder of expectations
2. Individual verbal redirection
3. Respectful Choice
4. Refocus
5. Restorative Conversation
6. Office Referral

• Students are expected to read a minimum of 30 minutes every evening, in addition to the time spent reading at school. Reading at home for pleasure is the best way for students to grow as a reader and writer. Students will also have a semester long independent reading project due at the end of each semester that is dependent on this reading.
• Students may have homework if classwork is not finished in class. You can find assignments and class activities on Google Classroom.

Respect all within the room.

Be prepared to learn.

Be your best self!

Absence Policy:

Ladder of Success:

Homework Policy:

This includes:

1. Respecting peers, materials, and the teacher; using PRIDE.
2. Appropriate language use.
3. Being open to others opinions and ideas.

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This looks like:

1. Being on time.
2. Having all materials ready and organized.
3. Collaborating, creating, communicating, and critically thinking!

This looks like:

1. Believing in yourself.
2. Being positive.
3. Having a growth mindset (You CAN!).
4. Showing kindness to others.

If you have read and reviewed all of the class expectations, email me a picture of a puppy for 10 Pride Paws!

Our “Always” Expectations:

Cell phones and airpods are away during class. If they are an issue, they will be brought to the office until the end of the day.

Toys are also to be in backpacks for the whole class.

Food can only be eaten by yourself and cannot be a distraction to others.