Welcome to 8 th grade English

1. Welcome to 8th grade English Ms. Pankey Room 415

2. Why do we study language arts? • To be effective and successful citizens and people of the world, there is a certain body of knowledge that you need to know. This includes: • How to read effectively • How to write clearly • How to think critically about the world around you • How to communicate well with other people • Books, poetry, plays, and stories that are important to you and others in the world • ** The number one thing that colleges and employers look for is good communication skills! • READING TEACHES US ABOUT LIFE AND WHO WE ARE

3. WHAT WILL WE BE READING? • Various short stories • The Outsiders • The Five People You Meet in Heaven • Chew on This • Poetry • The Diary of Anne Frank • The Odyssey • If time permits: The Messenger, various speeches, other Greek myths, etc.

4. Tiger paws reading • In addition to the reading that we will do together in class, you will also be required to read one book of your choice per 9 weeks. (= 4 books) • ALWAYS bring your independent reading book to class. We will sometimes have time in class for you to read this book. If you do not bring your book, I will assign you something to read. • Where do I get my independent reading book? You can buy a book yourself or get a book from the school library, the public library, or Ms. Pankey’s classroom library (these three options are FREE!) • You will log your book and complete a project or writing piece on each book, due before the 9 weeks is over. • Choose something that interests you!

5. Grading scale • A = 90 – 100% • B = 80 – 89% • C = 70 – 79% • D = 60 – 69% • F = 59% or below • I expect each and every one of you to make an A, B, or C is in this class. If you do the work, you will make the grades. If you have a D or below in this class, it is because you are not doing the work!

6. What do I have to do to get a good grade in this class? • Do your very best, every day. • Pay attention. Learn. Think critically. Share your voice.

7. policies & procedures

8. Most important rule:Respect • The most important thing in my classroom is to respect each other. What that means: • Remember that everyone has different experiences, beliefs, cultures, etc. Keep this in mind in our classroom discussions and if you disagree, do so politely. • When someone is speaking, listen carefully. Speak when it is your turn. Don’t talk over others – this includes me!! • Keep your hands to yourself. Don’t touch other people or their stuff. • Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. • I intend for my classroom to be a place where each and every one of you feels safeto express yourself and explore the world around you.

9. Responsibility • How to show responsibility: • If you are absent, check the makeup work folder + website for work you missed. • Don’t take advantage of class privileges (ie going to the restroom) • Do your best on every assignment • Keep your binder organized • Write down important homework/due dates

10. readiness • How to show readiness: • Come to class every day with all materials needed: • Pencils and/or blue or black pens • Binder with plenty of lined paper (for this class only) • Journal (you can get these at a dollar store or Walmart for about $1 ) • AJHS computer + charger • Independent reading book • BRING THESE THINGS EVERY DAY • Sleep well on school nights – don’t sleep in class

11. Entering the classroom • When you enter Ms. Pankey’s room: • Walk in quietly to find your assigned seat. • There will be a journal prompt on the board when you enter the room. Get out only the materials you need to write in your journal and begin. • If the bell rings and you are not in your assigned seat, you will be counted tardy. • No talking during journal writing time – this is time for us all to gather our thoughts before we begin the lesson for the day.

12. Leaving the classroom • At the end of the block, I will give you a minute to get ready to transition to your next class. During this time please: • Make sure you have turned in everything due this block in the correct place. • Write down any homework or upcoming important tests/assignments (see board at side of the room). • Look around your desk for any trash and throw it away in the trashcan. • Pack up your belongings and put away any of Ms. Pankey’s materials in their correct place. • Please do not line up at the door when you are packed and ready to leave. Sit in your seat and talk quietly with neighbors until the bell rings.

13. Tardies, Roll call, and seating • There will be assigned seating in this class. I take roll call by your seating assignment, so if you are not in your seat when the bell rings, you will be considered tardy. • If you know that you will be tardy because of another class (being held late, etc.), please ask your teacher to write you a late pass or send me an email. • Three tardies will result in after-school detention.

14. Absences and makeup work • Deal with absences and excuses in the main office when you get to school in the morning. • If you know ahead of time that you are going to be absent from my class (especially for sports or other school activities), please let me know so you can get the makeup work beforehand and stay on track with the rest of the class. • When you return the day after an absence, check the “absent work” bin for your missed work. It will have your name and the date of your absence written across the top. You will have a week to complete and turn in your make-up work. Turn in makeup work to the “makeup work turn-in” bin. • Always double check our class website for missed files and PowerPoints from class.

15. Where do I turn assignments in? • Pay attention to when assignments are due. When work must be turned in, you will turn it in to the black and white drawers at the back corner of the room. Please be careful to put your work in the correct tray according to your block. If it is not in the correct drawer at the due date, it is LATE!

16. Late work • If your work is not the right drawer when it is due, then it is considered late. This means that even if your work is on the floor in front of the drawers, it is still late. • You may turn in late work for a late grade penalty. The penalties are: • 1 day – 1 week late = 15% off your final grade • Later than 1 week = 30% off your final grade • Late work may not be accepted after the end of the nine weeks. • Turn in all late work to the “late work” tray.

17. notebook • Make sure to keep your notebook for this class organized! Any work that you complete or graded work that I return to you should be kept in your binder. I have a hole-punch for your use so it will be easier to keep papers organized. Random notebook checks will count for a grade. • Do not throw away work! If you question your grade in INOW, but the work is not in your binder or in your file, then I cannot adjust the grade!! • Write down due dates/important dates and homework in your notebook. Homework and upcoming due dates will be posted on the board!

18. Participation/groups • This class will involve a lot of group learning. Be prepared to participate in pairs, small, and large groups. I expect you to respect each other and solve any disagreements peacefully and politely. • If you do not pull your weight during group work, you will not receive a good grade! • We will also have a lot of discussion in class. Be prepared to share your thoughts and views. Everyone needs to participate in order for us to have a well-rounded discussion.

19. Restroom and food • You must raise your hand and obtain a pass to go to the restroom, media center, office, etc. • If it becomes obvious that you are abusing restroom privileges, you will no longer be able to use the restroom during my class. Do not ruin it for everyone! • NO food or drink in class. Do not bring in breakfast – it will have to be thrown away. • You must have a pass ANY time you go ANYWHERE outside the classroom.

20. Walking in the halls • When we walk as a class in the hallway to go to the media center, lunch, etc., please walk calmly and quietly. I do not want to put you in a single file line, but I will if I need to. • Remember that other classes are going on throughout the buildings we are walking in. Please don’t disrupt others.

21. Cell phones • If you have a cell phone, do not use it in my classroom. • First – put it away • Second – goes to office, parents must pick up • Third – goes to office, parents must pick up, detention • If your parents need to contact you about something important (tragedies, illness in the family, etc.) they may call the school to do so. • **DURING A TEST: If I see you on your cell phone during a test, I will have to assume that you are cheating, and you will receive an automatic 0 on the test. No exceptions!!!!!

22. Dress code • If you come to class wearing a dress code violation, you will be sent to the office to call home for a change of clothes. • Shorts/skirts/dresses must be no shorter than 4 inches above the knee. • No sagging! • No hats! • Be careful about how much skin you show and any offensive designs on your clothing.

23. medications • DO NOT HAVE MEDICINE IN THIS CLASS. This even includes Tylenol, etc. • If I see pills, I will immediately notify the office. • If you have a medication that you take every day or periodically, notify me and we will work it out with the school nurse. • If you are feeling ill, you can visit the nurse and he/she will help you in any way they can.

24. What happens if I don’t follow these procedures?

25. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES • Tornado/storm drill: • We will quietly line up and sit against the lockers in the hallway outside of our room. You must be quiet so we can hear for instructions. • Fire drill: • During a fire drill, we will exit the double doors of the 400 building. Go out of our classroom and exit to the left. Our class will gather on the grass outside the building. Roll call will be taken. • Lockdown: • Our classroom door is to stay locked and closed at all times. If we are on lockdown, we will move to the corner of the room where the phone is located.

26. JOURNAL WRITING • You will have a journal to use everydayin this class. Bring it everyday! • Write your name and block # on the outside of your journal in large print. • Everyday when you come in the classroom, there will be a journal prompt on the board. Begin writing your response to the journal prompt when you come in (not when the bell rings). We will write for around 10 mins at the beginning of class. • Date every journal entry!!! This is important for grading. You will turn your journal in every 2 weeks to be graded for completion. • Respond to the journal prompt the best you can. Don’t just write gibberish or what you did this weekend. Be thoughtful. You must write at least a whole page. • Remember that anything you write in your journal is subject to being read by me, administrators, counselors, etc.

27. CLASSROOM LIBRARY • In addition to the school and public libraries, I also have a small classroom library. You are welcome to check out any books from me that you want to read for your free style reading or just for fun. • You may check out a book from me during reading time in class or in between classes. Just bring me the book you would like to check out and I will fill out the clipboard. • I am also happy to make book suggestions for you if you are unsure of what to read. We will try to have a library visit day at the beginning of every nine weeks.

28. tutoring • If you feel that you are struggling or just want to practice a skill, I am happy to provide extra help. I am available 7:40 – 8:00 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays, and 3:25 - 3:50 pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. • If you plan to come to afternoon tutoring, please make proper arrangements concerning your ride home. • If you plan to come to morning tutoring, you must set this up with me the day before so that I can give you a pass. If you do not have a pass for morning tutoring, you will not be allowed in the building but sent to the gym instead.

29. WHO AM I? • From Albertville, AL. -- Fire hydrant capital of the world! • Graduated from Auburn University with degree in Language Arts Education • Family! • Two cats, Misha and Black Cat • Hobbies: reading, writing, travelling, amateur photography, trying really hard to craft • Favorite book: Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling • Favorite movie: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off • Favorite food: Everything, but especially sushi • Favorite place: London, England

30. Who are you?

31. WHO ARE YOU? RED: Favorite hobby and got into it BLUE: One thing you want to learn about GREEN: What you want to do when you graduate from high school PURPLE: If I had one wish, it would be… SILVER: One thing you know a lot about

32. Don’t forget!!! • Turn in your questionnaire to the correct drawer at the back of the room. • Make sure you take home your parent letter and bring back the last page filled out and signed for your first grade in the gradebook! • Bring paper, pencils, your computer, a binder to class tomorrow. • Don’t forget to get a journal for class! • Pack up and clean up the areas surrounding your desk. • Quietly ask your neighbors about their first day until the bell rings. • Have a great rest of the day! See you tomorrow 