8thGradeEnglishLanguageArts

Tappan Middle School

2016-2017
Welcome to 8th Grade English Language Arts! This syllabus will serve as your guideline for
classroom procedures, rules and expectations. I look forward to working with each and every
one of you throughout the course of the school year.

Contact
Zack DeBiasi
Tappan Middle School Room 316
Email: debiasiz@aaps.k12.mi.us
Phone: (734) 994-2017 Ext. 35302
Website: mrdebiasi.weebly.com
Twitter: @DeBiasiELA

Availability: I will be available before school, during lunch, and after school unless otherwise
noted. For longer meetings, please make an appointment. I will do my best to respond to all
emails within 24 hours.

If I ever need to get in contact with you I will use the information in PowerSchool. If this needs
to be updated please let me know as soon as possible.

Material
All reading materials and books will be supplied. Unless otherwise noted, you will be expected
to come to class with the following.
A notebook
A folder
Pen or pencil

Grades
On average there will be 1-2 grades posted every week to PowerSchool. Daily assignments (ex.
worksheets, notes, reading guides, quizzes) will have values between 5 and 15 points, while
longer assignments (papers, tests, projects) will normally have values between 25 and 50 points.

LearningGoals
Regardless of how you enter the year it is my goal that each of you will grow as users of the
English language. We will also work on building your analysis, organizational, and study skills
among many others. Below are some of the more specific skills that we will be focusing on
throughout the school year:
Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and audience or reader
create such effects such as suspense or humor.
 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the
reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant
evidence is introduced.
Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information on the same
topic and identify where the texts disagree on matters of fact or interpretation.
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and
information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the
topic.
Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner
with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate
eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

Curriculum
Michigan 8th Grade State Standards will be addressed using a variety of genres of study. These
genres will include, but will not be limited to:
Realistic Fiction
Historical Fiction
Real Life Writing
Research Writing
Creative Writing
Persuasive Writing
Non-fiction/Informative Writing

HowtoGetSupport
Come talk to me! I am almost always available before school, during lunch, and after school. I
want to figure out a plan where you will be successful, happy, and stress-free. Please let me
know as soon as possible if you need any special academic accommodations. If you need any
support outside of the classroom my door is always open.

This class is designed to prepare you for high school. As we progress throughout the year, you
will gain more and more responsibility. If you need help or do not understand an assignment it
will be your responsibility to seek assistance.

GoogleClassroom
You will have a Google Classroom account for this class. This will be an extremely helpful tool to
achieve success in this class. Assignment sheets, class materials, and directions will all be
available on Google Classroom. Additionally, many assignments will be assigned and turned in
using Google Classroom. If you do not have an internet connected device that you are able to
use at home, please let me know as soon as possible. If this is the case we can figure out an
alternative way for you to submit your work.

AcademicHonesty
This part is very simple, please do not cheat or plagiarize. Plagiarism is using others words and
ideas and presenting them as your own. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel as if
you need to cheat or plagiarize to be successful, come see me. I know that we will be able to find
a better alternative than dishonesty!

LateWork
Late work will be accepted until the end of the unit of study. After transitioning to a new unit,
no work will be accepted from the previous unit. Depending on the degree of lateness, up to half
credit may be removed. If you have more than two assignments missing, you will be expected to
meet with me in order to create a plan.

Revisions
Writing is a process, and revising written work is alwaysallowed. On the first resubmission
there will be an opportunity for an improved grade. I am always open to looking at your work,
but after the first time submitting a writing assignment there will be no opportunity to improve
your grade. Unless a special arrangement is made, revisions will need to be turned in a week
after the assignment is handed back to the student.

Absences
If your are absent for a period of less than three days you will be expected to turn in all missing
work a day after your return, unless special arrangements have been made. If you miss a quiz
you will be expected to make it up within two days of returning. If you are absent for more than
a period of three days, you will need to create an independent catch-up plan with me.

Tardiness
The expectation is that you are in class by the time the warning bell rings, and in your seat and
ready to begin class when the final bell rings. If you are not ready for class when the final bell
rings you will be considered tardy. Each time you are tardy without a pass you will serve a lunch
detention in my room.

I look forward to having a fantastic year with all of you! If you have any questions dont hesitate
to talk to me!

Pleasesignbelowtoindicatethatyouhavereviewedandunderstandthesyllabus.
Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasedonthesitatetocontactme!

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