Welcome to English!
Mrs. Rice, room 340 – jrice@washoeschools.net
For a list of weekly homework assignments, due dates, and daily class activities, visit my blog at www.bdbrice.blogspot.com.
In middle school English, we approach text in various ways, including close reading, writing, speaking, and listening. We focus on reading comprehension and vocabulary, working with the writing traits and various writing genres, and analyzing both literary and informational text in its many forms. The curriculum is a combination of textbooks and supplemental materials and includes both individual and group projects.
Tracker
You must bring your tracker to class every day. It will remain in your binder at all times. As soon as you are seated, copy the homework information from the agenda board into your tracker EXACTLY as you see it. When you finish, take out your highlighter and highlight the due dates. Even if you have already finished an assignment, please write it in the tracker for reference. Your tracker must be filled out properly if you would like to use a pass during class. You are also receiving credit in Advisory for completing your tracker.
Composition Book
A composition notebook is required for English. The composition book will remain in the classroom except for rare occasions when you need to finish class assignments at home. The comp book is set up very specifically and we will do this in class. It is your responsibility to make up sacred writing time entries, notes, and other in-class assignments if you are absent. I will keep a running table of contents on the homework bulletin board, and will give you one week notice before comp books are graded for you to make up any missing assignments and complete unfinished work.
Revising Work/Retaking Tests
You have the opportunity to revise or redo most assignments, and I will often write “revise and return for further credit” in Infinite Campus. Quizzes may be retaken, but unit tests are a final grade. My classroom is open at lunch nearly every day for test retakes and help with class work or homework. You can also come in after school any day except Wednesdays. Make the most of this opportunity!
Grading Policy and Extra Credit
I use a standard point grading system which means that some projects and assignments are worth more points than others. The following grade scale will be used in every core class: 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, 59-0 = F. Grades will be posted in the classroom, and assignments and scores will be updated on Infinite Campus every
week. I do not typically offer extra credit as a means to improve grades. You can improve your grade by redoing/revising any assignment so that I know you are working on the skills required for the class. I am always generous with the extra credit, however, when I receive work from a student who has gone above and beyond the requirements.
Late Work Policy
Late work will be accepted for 75% credit of the earned score. Missing assignments at the end of the quarter will be accepted for 50% credit of the earned score. Long term projects and multi-media reviews will not be accepted late. You are given the same number of days you were absent plus one day to make up missing assignments at no penalty. Work Ethic grades are lowered ½ grade for each missing and/or late assignment per quarter.
Homework
Weekly homework is assigned at the end of each week and is due at the end of the following week. The majority of homework throughout the year will consist of various readings and activities from Scholastic Scope, a literary magazine for middle school students. The magazine is yours to keep, and you will receive one per month. Each week of the month you will be given homework assignments from the magazine, so it’s important that you don’t lose it. Other homework assignments throughout the year will include an independent novel project, chapter readings from an assigned novel (8th grade), and various writing pieces when needed to be completed at home. The magazine can be accessed on line at scope.scholastic.com. Password is to be announced.
Multimedia Critique
You will sign up for one week during the school year to take home the multimedia binder. Your job will be to write a critique on one of the following: a movie, video game, book, or music album of your choice. Examples of how to write each type of critique will be provided for you in the binder as well as a model of a book critique. The following Monday, you will present your critique to the class using one visual aide. During the grading period in which you have signed up, you will earn 100 points for completing the activity.
Spelling/Vocabulary Tests
In addition to the vocabulary you will be studying from various stories, we will focus on one Latin or Greek prefix/root and a corresponding word each week. After four weeks, you will be tested on both spelling and definitions. You are always tested on all of the roots and words we’ve studied, plus the four new ones. Knowledge of common prefixes and root words help us figure out the meaning of new words we encounter.
Parent/Guardian, please initial after review ____ Due:
