8th Grade Language Arts Homework Assignments
Students in 8th grade Language Arts can expect frequent homework assignments. Assignments will be written on the board at the beginning of every class. Students are responsible for copying down the daily homework assignment with its specific set of directions on their homework sheet. Assignments are due at the beginning of the next class, unless I specify otherwise. For full credit, students must submit assignments on their due dates, follow the assignment's directions, and complete the work neatly and thoroughly. Late assignments lose three points each day that they are late. Assignments later than three days after the due date will be marked as zero.
Reading Logs
Students will be expected to read at least 20 minutes every night and complete reading logs. Students may read anything they choose (a novel, magazine, newspaper), as long as it is print material. This means you may not read blogs or any Internet or electronic resources for these logs. Reading Logs are to be complete in a notebook that is used exclusively for these logs. To receive full credit for Reading Logs students must write the date and time they spent reading (ex: August 31, 2009, 5:30pm – 6pm), the title and page numbers they read during that time, and a 3-5 sentence summary of what they read. This summary must be complete sentences. Reading Logs will be checked daily, and five Logs must be done each week to receive full credit. Reading Logs will not be given over the weekends.
Essay of the Week
Students can expect a longer writing assignment to be given every week. Essay of the Week is a one page writing assignment, which consists of a prompt that students must respond to. Essay of the Week assignment prompts will be handed out every Friday, and students will have one full week to complete their essay. Essays will be due every Friday at the beginning of class. This assignment may be handwritten, however I prefer it to be typed if access allows. Essays must be neat and thoughtful, with minimal grammar and spelling errors. Examples of excellent essays will be displayed during the first week of class to help students understand what is expected. Because students have seven days to complete this assignment, any questions or concerns have time to be answered!
Quarterly Book Reports
Students will be expected to read at least one full book every quarter and complete a book report. This assignment limits materials to books only, though the genre you chose is up to you. Book report assignment and expectations will be given out at the beginning of each the quarter. All books must be approved by Ms. Emerson no later than two weeks from receiving the Book Report assignment.
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Week Of September 21, 2009
A. Essay of the Week Due 9/24
Who is your hero and why?
Note: Because there is no school on Friday, hard copies of the essay are due on Thursday, 9/24. However, I will accept e-mailed copies on 9/25. After 9/25, your essays will be late.B. Four Reading Logs Due 9/24
* see above for descriptionsC. Select a book for your book report Due 9/24
* A list of approved books will be handed out in class. You may select a book from that listEXTRA HOMEWORK: You know who you are. Did you misbehave in class today? Well, then I'll be looking for the following:
* Four paragraphs from the book you're currently reading
copied down with all of the verbs circled. Due 9/24
Note: I do grade extra homework assignments. They also allow me to see your understanding of the parts of speech and to see what I need to cover in class to help you acquire the elements of great writing. In other words, practice makes perfect!!
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Week of September 14, 2009
A. Essay of the Week Due 9/18
Students must use Obama's speech on education to write a one-page essay answering the following questions:
What is personal responsibility?
What difficult personal circumstances do you have that could obstruct your ability to attain your goals?
How will personal responsibility prevent your difficult circumstances from obstructing your goals?B. Four Reading Logs Due 9/18
* see above for descriptionsC. Select a book for your book report Due 9/21
* A list of approved books will be handed out in class. You may select a book from that listEXTRA HOMEWORK: You know who you are. Did you misbehave in class today? Well, then I'll be looking for the following:
1. All of the adjectives circled in Obama's speech Due 9/15
2. A paragraph from the book you're currently reading
copied down with all of the adjectives circled. Due 9/15_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Assignment 1: Review Syllabus and sign Class Contract Assigned: 8/31/09 Due: 9/1/09
Assignment 2: Reading Log Assigned: 8/31/09 Due: 9/1/09_________________________________________________________________________________________________