Welcome to 8th Grade Language Arts

Mrs. Neeta Ohia

We are Family!

• Only positive comments• Respect one another and their

ideas/questions• Zero tolerance for bullying or

negative comments

Parts of the Class Curriculum

• 40 Book Challenge & Novel Projects

• Vocabulary (Literature Terms, Everyday Words/Roots)

• Reading and Application of Skills • Culminating Written Analysis and

Projects

Classroom Expectations

Show Respect–To yourself, your peers, and teachers in the words and actions you use

–Leave things better than when you got there

Classroom Expectations

Positive Attitude–Failure leads to success–Make mistakes and learn from them

Classroom Expectations

Own Your Actions– If you make a poor decision, take responsibility

–Tell the truth

Classroom Expectations

Think First before you speak– Is it true– Is it helpful– Is it inspiring– Is it necessary – Is it kind

Classroom Expectations

Stay Safe–Think of the well being of yourself and those around you before acting

Class Time

• Don’t waste my time and I won’t waste yours

• Give me 100% everyday • Be prepared or you will be

wasting my time and your classmates time

Start of Class

1. Make sure your pencil is sharp &/or you have a pen

2. Sit down3. Read the warm-up board as you

come in4. Complete your warm-up in your

warm-up section of your notebook

Asking Questions

• Raise your hand• Wait to be called on • Ask your question• DO NOT:

–Say, “I have a questions”–Say your question while you hand is in the air but have not been called on

Getting Out of Your Seat

• You may never get out of your seat unless you or the class has been directed to do so.

• Reasons you would need to get out of your seat after asking permission:– Sharpening a pencil (should be done before

class)– Throw something away – Turn something in (should be done before class)

Throwing Things Away

• Raise your hand to be dismissed from your seat

• Walk over to the garbage can without talking or touching anyone

• Place the garbage in the trash can• DO NOT PLAY BASKETBALL WITH

YOUR TRASH AND THE CAN

Consequences

If during class you are failing to follow our classroom expectations your number will be moved on the board through the following progressions:– Verbal Warning– Verbal Warning– Silent Lunch / Parent Contact

Things That Would Merit Consequences

• Talking out of turn and/or being disruptive

• Being disrespectful to myself or classmates

• Being off task • Leaving the class without

permission • Damaging property

Silent Lunch

• If you earn silent lunch for hindering the learning of other around you by being disruptive then you will:–Come to my room during lunch –Copy over a letter that helps you think about your behavior

– If you do not come when you are supposed to, you will earn additional days in Silent Lunch

Tardies

• You must be in your seat to be counted on time

• 3 consecutive tardies will result in silent lunch and a letter home

Homework

• You will have homework on a daily basis

• If the homework is something that can be turned in, you will turn it in the morning before Homeroom

• If your homework/an assignment is not completed your parents will be notified and it will be reflected in the grade book

Technology Available

• Edmodo – code will be given– Forum for Class Discussions

• Blackboard – Daily log of assignments, Table of Contents,

assignments to download if lost

• Emails with homework attached• Quizlet – Vocabulary

– Will help when studying terms and definitions

Assessments

• Quizzes: These will be given to track your understanding of the standards and skills that we learn and practice in class (Daily-Weekly)

• Culminating Projects: Will occur at the end of each part of the unit. In my class, this will always be accompanied by a rubric. (With each Unit)

• Novel Project: One per quarter; based on the unit theme (With each Unit)

• Common Formative Assessments: Given by

the district and called Benchmarks (Quarterly)

Retests

• This will be at the discretion of myself but if you can reassess I will attach a request to retest handout to your major assessment

• The assessment have to be a major assessment (over 25 points) to have the opportunity to retest

• When you retest you can earn UP TO an 80%

• To retest you must– Complete the “Request to

Reassess” Handout – Turn in “Request to Reassess” 24

hours before smart lunch

Grading

• A = 93-100%Mastery • B = 85-92% Proficient• C = 77-84% Still Working• D = 70-76% Needs More Instruction• F = 0-69% Not an Option

Only assessment will be graded on accuracy and practice will be evaluated for completion

Absences

• Must see what we completed on Blackboard before coming to class

• Any handouts will be pinned to the “Since You’ve Been Gone” board

• You will need to borrow the class notebook to fill in any entries that you missed

Study/Working Lunch

• Please come if you:–Need to make up a test due to an absence

–Need to complete a reassess after completing the “Request to Reassess” and was submitted 24 hours before

–Need additional help on an assignment

Turing in Assignments During Class

• I will ask for a student to collect the assignments listed on the job chart

• They will –Check to be sure there is a name and number are filled in

–Have them all facing the same direction and in numerical order

–Paperclip them together–Put them in the appropriate bin

End of Class

• Fill out your agenda• Straighten up any materials at

your desk • Pack up your things• Wait until I say “Have a wonderful

day!” and then you are dismissed • Push in your chair

Final Thoughts!

• I am so glad that you are here• I am honored to be your

Language Arts teacher• This is going to be a great year!