Yeager Middle School

Turner Middle School

The Best Middle School in Georgia

Course Syllabus

Mrs. Marsha Cozart, 8^th Grade Reading

Phone Contact: (770) 651-5528

[email protected]   

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Course Objective:  To engage students in learning activities that will further develop their reading skills, with a focus on literary objectivity, critical thinking and reasoning, and overall readiness for the next phase of their academic achievement. 

Curriculum Map:  The Reading curriculum has been divided into two major units: Informational and Literary. The two units will be broken down as follows:

Course Description:  In an effort to prepare students for the rigor of the Georgia Milestone Assessment System, as well as successful high school matriculation, students will work diligently towards mastery in:

• Identifying/Citing Appropriate Textual Support

• Evaluating Evidence for its  Strengths and/or Weaknesses

• Distinguishing Between Explicitly-stated Information and Implied Information

• Identifying and Evaluating the Impact of Literary Elements on Informational and Literary Texts

• Differentiating Between Fact and Interpretation and Objectivity and Subjectivity

• Identifying and Explaining the Central Idea and/or Theme of Texts

• Analyzing Relationships and/or Patterns Within and Across Multiple Texts

• Identifying Contrasting Viewpoints in Literary and Informational Texts

• Analyzing Text Features and the Organizational Structure of Texts

   

  Course Requirements/Expectations:  With teacher guidance, students will collaboratively read at least one extended text each semester. Students will check out a book from the library at least twice monthly. Students will also engage in weekly reading, using our online library system, myON.  Our goal is for students to read at least one million words. REMEMBER: The more students read, the more successful they are across all curricula.    

  CLASS SUPPLY LIST:  Success does not happen by chance; we must prepare for it. That said, students must come to class prepared for success each and every day. They must have writing utensils, paper, and a neatly-organized binder or folder.  Additional materials needed for Reading class are:

   

• A Calendar or Agenda.  The Agenda is a great communication tool that you can use throughout the year to communicate with teachers. It also allows students to keep track of assignment due dates, homework, their grades, their academic growth, and upcoming events, such as field trips.

   

• Composition or Spiral Notebook. This folder must remain on students at all times.  I will randomly check and grade notebooks throughout the year. 

   

• Small Pencil Sharpener. So as to limit interruptions to our learning environment, students should have their own encased pencil sharpener.

   

• Headphones or Earbuds. Students will use these on our technology days, which are Monday, Tuesday, and every other Wednesday.

   

• Hand Sanitizer, Kleenex, Disinfectant Spray, and Disinfectant Wipes.  So that we may remain healthy throughout the year, it is important that we practice good hygiene and maintain a clean environment. I will provide all supplies for the first month of school; however, I need your help.   If possible, please assist me by providing any one or more of these supplies.

   

Behavioral Rules: Academic achievement and behavior have been demonstrated to be clearly associated.  In order for your child to get the most out of reading class this year it’s important that he/she come to class with positive learning behaviors.  The following are the rules and expectations for class.

• Come to class prepared to learn

• Keep your space clean and welcoming

• Follow directions the first time given

• Respect yourself, authority and others

• Raise your hand for permission to speak or leave seat

  Behavioral Consequences

  1. Verbal Cue from the teacher

  This is a gentle reminder that something you are doing is disrupting your learning or the learning of others, or is otherwise inappropriate for school. You have the opportunity to correct this behavior on your own, without any further interventions.

  2. Warning

  This step means that I have already corrected you once, and now I am noting that you were warned again by writing your name on the board or window

  **Silent Lunch and/or Separation**

  At this point, I have already asked you twice to behave appropriately, and now you will have a consequence for failure to correct that behavior.  This could be silent lunch, or, depending upon the situation, you will be moved to a new seat away from others until you can control yourself.  In some cases, you may be sent out to another teacher’s classroom, or to the counselor. If this happens, you will earn a citation. Arguing about changing seats or serving silent lunch will also result in a citation.

  **Citation**

  Citations are part of the school-wide disciplinary plan, which is cumulative throughout all classes, including connections.  Once you have moved on to citations in my class, you will get one warning only before being issued the next citation.  All steps taken to correct behavior before the citation is issued will also be documented in the citation log.

Weighting Scale:                                                             Grading Scale:

Teacher Assessments/CDAs                           40%                                          A       100 - 90

Class Work                                                           30%                                          B         89 - 80

Class Projects                                                      15%                                          C         79 - 71               

Quizzes                                                                 10%                                          D                70

Homework                                                              5%                                          F         69 and below*

Remediation: Tutoring will be available during the school day for students with academic deficits, as determined by the classroom teacher. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT: Keep the syllabus for your records, but please return sign and return the attached signature page. Your student will earn bonus points for returning the signature page. 

Role of the Parent:  It is my hope that each student leaves my class with a new or renewed love of reading. As your child’s Reading teacher, I ask that you remain an active and involved part of your child’s education.  Please view your child’s notebook daily, so that you are aware of any concerns I may have, as well as upcoming projects, quizzes, and tests. I will also contact you via phone calls, e-mail, text alerts, and progress reports. Additionally, please call or email me if you have comments or concerns.

It is the student's responsibility to inform you of his or her grades. Individual student progress may also be tracked through Parent Portal. Please use this resource to remain informed of your child's weekly grades. Interest and encouragement at home is always beneficial to student performance at school. Together, we can make this a great year for you and your child!      

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I have read the course syllabus and understand the expectations and course requirements set forth for the 2018-19 school year. 

Parent/Guardian’s Name (please print): ______________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Phone and/or E-mail (please print): ______________________________________________________________________________

Student’s Name (please print): ______________________________________________________________________________

**Please sign and return this page only by Friday, August 17^th, and your child will earn bonus points on his/her first quiz grade.  You should keep the course syllabus for your records.