8

th
Grade English
Course Outline 2014-2015

Mrs. Caitlin Mitchell
Email cmitchell@visitationschool.org
Class Website www.mrsmitchellvs.weebly.com
Office Hours 3:00-3:30 Tuesday; during lunch, or before school by appointment only
This course outline needs to remain in students 8
th
Grade English binder.

Course Description:
The Junior High Literature program is designed to acquaint students with literature, writing skills and
vocabulary usage. This course surveys various genre of literature including short story, drama, essay, poetry and
the novel. The vocabulary studied prepares students for the HSPT, ISEE, and SAT. Along with the curriculum,
the process of evidence-based writing will be highly emphasized. These subjects will build a strong foundation
and prepare each student for high school. The units in this class will be designed with each student in mind so
that students may learn to be thoughtful and analytical readers, writers, and speakers. Finally, this course will
also provide each student the opportunity to master the Common Core State Standards and California State
Standards in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Required Materials
3 ring binder arranged in the following manner:
Current Unit of Study
Grammar
Writing
Test Prep
Corrected Essays/Tests
1 college ruled single-subject spiral notebook (all notes taken in class should be in this notebook)
College ruled binder paper
Blue or black pens
Green pens for correcting
3x5 index cards for vocabulary


General Classroom Rules and Policies:
1. Students will always respect fellow classmates and the instructor. I have zero tolerance for any disrespect in
our classroom.
2. Students will be in class, sitting and writing down any posted assignments at the time the period begins.
3. Students will bring all necessary books and materials with them to class.
4. Students will not partake in any other class work or personal business during class time. Instructor will
confiscate other class work or personal items, to be returned at the end of the school day.
5. Students will not talk when instructor is speaking or when classmates are sharing or presenting before the
class.
6. Students will remain seated until instructor dismisses the class, regardless of what is occurring outside and
regardless of when the bell rings.
7. Students will follow all rules and policies as stated in the Visitation handbook.
8. Any questions regarding grades, assignments, or behavior should be addressed during my office hours.
9. Absolutely NO cell phones, cameras, drinking, eating, iPods, gum chewing and unnecessary talking. If I see
any of this during class time, you will receive a detention. Students are not permitted to do other class work or
personal business during class time. This will result in confiscation of books, assignments, or any items deemed
inappropriate use of class time, and a possible restriction.


Cheating and Plagiarism:
It is expected that Visitation students understand and practice academic integrity and honesty. Any form of
academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.
*Academic Plagiarism Using someone elses exact words or paraphrasing ideas without giving credit is
academic theft. Material from Wikipedia, SparkNotes, pre-generated essay sites, or any literary
summary/analysis websites are unacceptable material. Likewise, copying or allowing copying is a form of
plagiarism. Simply putting your name on work completed by another classmate, an Internet source, or a parent
also counts as cheating. Therefore, the consequences are severe:
1. An automatic 0 on the assignment.
2. A conference with the principal, the teacher, student and the students parent(s).
3. A suspension, which can range from 1 day to 3 days since the Visitation Honor Code has been broken.
4. The earning of a D for both the Work Habits and Behavior grades at the end of the trimester.
Students must follow the Modern Language Association (MLA) format on citations or see the teacher for help
on developing his/her own thoughts from the given information. Plagiarism is presenting someone elses
work as your own through either malicious intent or neglect of proper acknowledgement.

If students are found talking during a quiz or test, I will automatically assume you are cheating and any student
involved will have their quiz or test taken away, resulting in a zero. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.
*I have ZERO tolerance for academic dishonesty.

Tests and Quizzes:
1. All tests will be announced in advance this includes quizzes. You will not receive any pop quizzes. The
goal is to test you on what you know and have learned.
2. Students are expected to take quizzes and tests on the assigned day, even if they were absent the day before.
3. If a student is absent on the day a quiz or test is given, he/she must take a make-up quiz or test on the day
he/she returns. This can be done during lunch, before school, or after school. YOU WILL HAVE ONE
WEEK TO MAKE UP THE TEST OR QUIZ; after that week, you will not be able to make up the missed
test or quiz.
4. If a student knows in advance that he/she will be absent on the day of a test, it is his/her responsibility to
make arrangements with the instructor to take the test prior to the test date. (Instructor will consider sports and
field trip schedules when selecting dates for tests.)
5. Quizzes are generally worth between 5-10 points, while tests range from 100-200 points.
6. I do drop the lowest quiz score each trimester, so one missed quiz will not affect your grade in the end.

Assignments:
1. All hand-written assignments must be done in blue or black ink on white loose-leaf paper. Assignments with
frayed edges will not be accepted.
2. All assignments are due at the beginning of class on their due dates.
3. LATE WORK: Late homework will be accepted only TWICE per trimester and will only be accepted
ONE day after the due date. Students will automatically have half of the assignment worth deducted
from their grade on the assignment. After one day, late work WILL NOT be accepted. Once a student
has reached two late assignments, any other late work will be counted as a ZERO 0. Any homework
not turned in at the beginning of class will be considered late. Student must submit a filled out Missing
Homework sheet in place of their assignment (these are found in our classroom).

Attendance:
1. Students are expected to attend class regularly. If you miss a class, it is YOUR responsibility to request
homework from the front office to find out what you have missed. You should also ask a fellow classmate
about what happened in class if you have any confusion about what was written on the homework sheet.
2. Absent students should make every effort to obtain all homework assignments from fellow classmates first.
Should you have further questions, then you may contact me through email at cmitchell@visitationschool.org.
3. If you miss a class because of a school event, you will be expected to turn in all assignments on the day that
you will miss class. You can turn in your assignment before the start of school, at recess, or at lunch to me;
otherwise you will receive a 0 for that particular assignment.
4. If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, the assignment must be submitted on the first day you
return to school.
5. If a student is absent on the day a major writing or group assignment is due, student is responsible to have a
parent, sibling, or classmate turn the assignment in for him/her. Please also contact me prior to class by e-mail
regarding your forthcoming absence.
6. If a student leaves school early for sports or other reasons and misses class, it is his/her responsibility to
speak to me BEFORE leaving campus (during break/lunch) in order to write down homework and obtain other
important information.
7. Please refer to the Visitation Parent/Student Handbook regarding excessive tardies. Being late for school on a
consistent basis affects the students ability to form a routine and can have negative effects on students grades
and classroom performance. Please be to school beforethe bell rings at 7:50AM.
Excuses such as But I was absent will never be accepted as an excuse for missing homework or for
not being prepared for class.

Participation:
1. Your participation grade will be determined by the validity of your contribution to class discussions, Socratic
Seminars, and with group presentations.
2. Participation consists of being in class, on time and prepared, participating in class discussion, taking notes,
and contributing to group work. However, simply being present "in body" will not earn the student
participation points. Participation will be worth 10% of the students Reading/Literature grade each trimester.
3. Your participation grade will also include your daily uniform regulation, and behavioral compliance with the
guidelines in the Visitation Student handbook.

Grading Policy:
1. Each assignment, test, quiz, etc. will be given a certain number of points according to its importance or
difficulty. Assignments and quizzes will usually fall between 5 to 20 points each; tests, papers, and projects will
usually fall between 50 to 200 points. These points will be averaged to the hundredth place at the end of the
grading periods for each category above. Final averages will not be rounded a 79.99% is a C.
2. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of each trimester.
3. Students should expect to have quizzes and smaller assignments returned within a few days of the due date.
Tests, larger projects, and essays will be returned to students within 1-2 weeks.
4. I update Gradelink on a regular basis. As soon as an assignment is graded, the grades will be posted. Students
should always have an accurate snapshot of how they are doing in my class. When students are absent, a
Gradelink update may take longer than usual.
5. If there are any questions or concerns regarding grades, please contact me via email with a detailed message
with a good time to call you and a phone number where you can be easily reached. Please allow 24-48 hours for
a response.

Grade Breakdown for Reading/Literature
Essays 35%
Tests 25%
Assignments/Projects 20%
Participation 10%
Quizzes 10%
Grade Breakdown for Language
Essays 35%
Tests 30%
Assignments/Projects 20%
Vocabulary Tests 15%
Grading Scale
A 93-100% C+ 80-84%
B+ 90-92% C 75-79%
B 87-89% C- 70-74%
B- 85-86% D 65-69%
F 64% and below

Electronics Policy:
Students are not allowed to use or possess cell phones, laptops, iPads, or any other electronic devices during
class time. Cell phones that ring or make any noise whatsoever during class will be taken away and returned to
students at my discretion. Laptops, iPads, or any other communication devices used during class will also be
taken away and returned to student at my discretion. Special exceptions will be made for specific assignments
and/or projects.

Dress Code:
Students are expected to dress according to the Visitation dress code as specified in the Parent/Student
Handbook on a daily basis. Dress code checks will take place each morning during homeroom to ensure
students are outfitted in the proper attire. Failure to be in proper dress code will result in an automatic
restriction. Continuous dress code violations will be taken care of according to the Parent/Student Handbook
policy.

Contracts:
Failure to turn in contracts and any forms that need students parent/guardian's signature will result in a
restriction each day the contract or deficiency is late.

Independent Reading:
You are required to read one novel independently each trimester. You may choose from a short list of books I
will give you. You are responsible for acquiring, reading, and understanding the book. You will be tested on
your novel near the end of the trimester and depending on the format of the test, you may be allowed to have
your novel with you as a reference on that day.

Restroom Policy:
1. Students are allowed 3 (three) restroom passes per trimester.
2. Any restroom passes that are left at the end of the trimester, will be added as points to the students
participation grade. Each leftover restroom pass will be worth 2 (two) extra credit points.
3. Instructor will keep track of restroom visits.

Classroom Library:
1. Our classroom library is a place for quiet relaxation to participate in the joys of silently reading. Students will
be given access to our class library based on classroom participation, respect, or performance.
2. When students enter the classroom library, it is extremely important that students remove their shoes as the
playground brings in excessive dirt that will take away from the cleanliness of our reading area.
3. If students choose to borrow a book from our classroom library, it must be signed out with me and returned
within 2 (two) weeks from the checkout date. Failure to return a book by the designated time will result in a
restriction for each day late.












*Instructor reserves the right to change or alter the syllabus at any time in order to better serve the class.
Students and parents/guardians will be notified of any change made.*
8
th
Grade English
Mrs. Mitchell

Student and Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement of Course Policies and Procedures

I am aware of the specific policies for 8
th
Grade English regarding the following:

Student Initials Parent/Guardian Initials
Required Materials
General Classroom Rules and Policies
Cheating and Plagiarism
Tests and Quizzes
Assignments
Attendance
Participation
Grading Policy
Electronics Policy
Dress Code
Contracts
Independent Reading
Restroom Policy
Classroom Library

I have read this course outline for the 2014-2015 8
th
Grade English course and I understand that a students
grade and record of discipline is determined in accordance with these policies and affected by the students
compliance with these procedures. (Please write legibly.)



Students Name (Please Print) Parent/Guardians Name (Please Print)


Students Signature Parent/Guardians Signature


Date Date


Parent/Guardian Information

Home Phone Best Time to Call

Work Phone Best Time to Call

Cell Phone Best Time to Call

Home Address

E-mail Address