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     SLPS District Homework Policy

     

    Mrs. (Anne) Haley Porter

    8th Grade English Language Arts

    Anne.Porter@slps.org

    314-652-9282 School Phone

    English Language Arts 2022-23

     

    Course Description:  The SLPS English Language Arts department will use the MyPerspectives curriculum through Savvas for the 2022-23 school year. Students will have an online version and a hard copy of this textbook. The curriculum promotes higher achievement and develops the competencies needed beyond middle and high school. Students will be engaged in lessons focusing on social collaboration and individual ownership of learning through goal-setting, choice, and reflection. Through a teacher-led, student-centered classroom, students will learn to improve comprehension in reading and to develop and improve writing skills. Students will become collaborative and self-directed learners. Short poems, narratives, essays, and letters are some writing skills used to practice the “author in them.”  Novels will include both fiction and non-fiction in various forms.  Students read from self-selected novels in addition to assigned reading during class.  My goal this year is to promote all students reading all of the time. To accomplish this, we need students to read books at home they enjoy. The novels we will read in class are as follows:

    • How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez
    • The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
    • Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

    A variety of short stories and reading passages through our district curriculum

     

    Methods of Instruction: There will be a variety of instruction integrated in the class. They include but are not limited to teacher-led instruction, teacher-led small group work, cooperative learning, independent work, workstation activities, peer tutoring, and research. The work is rigorous and requires students' focus throughout the class to avoid falling behind in instruction. Therefore, students must come with the mindset to do their best.  To that end, one area I will reinforce with my students is that everyone can learn and they must understand that learning is a process and sometimes requires more effort.

     

    Course Objectives: Based upon SLPS standards, students are expected to show mastery of grade-level content in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Doing so will require them to read from a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts and write for various audiences and purposes.  They will acquire valuable textual analysis, reading comprehension, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Finally, students are expected to read in and out of the classroom. Reading homework is assigned daily; students should read self-selected novels at home. The class will visit the school library regularly to allow students to check out books. Library books are the responsibility of the student. The student will be charged for the book if a book is lost or damaged. Outstanding book fees can result in delay of report cards and grades.

     

    Assignments: The assignments consist of a daily Do Now, classwork, participation, exit slips, homework, independent reading, and other activities.  Classwork is expected to be completed daily, unless otherwise stated. Guidelines must be followed when an assignment is accompanied by a scoring guide.

     

    Exams/Tests/ Quizzes: Assessments will be given throughout each term.   Students need to come on time daily prepared to complete all assignments to the best of his or her ability. Students will be prepared for any assessment given by keeping up with assignments.

     

    Grading Criteria:  Compton-Drew ILC uses a whole school policy consisting of the items listed below:

    Class work                 35%                                           Grading Scale:       100-90%        A

    Class participation    15%                                                                            89 -80%        B

    Homework                 20%                                                                            79-70%         C  

    Tests                           15%                                                                            69-60%         D

    Projects                      15%                                                                            59% below   F

     

    Course Requirements:

    Required reading texts (see texts listed above)

     

    Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend school daily and to be on time to class as outlined in the Compton-Drew Student and Parent Handbook.

     

    Homework Policy: Homework is due on the due date, which is the following day unless otherwise noted. Late work will be accepted by Friday of the week assigned, with points deducted. Work is late when it is not turned in on the due date and time. Students are expected to adhere to the SLPS District policy regarding homework, which is as follows:  

    It is the policy of the St. Louis Public Schools that the teachers regularly assign homework that enhances the educational development of students.  Each family is asked to set aside approximately ninety minutes (90) each evening for academic excellence.  At the middle school level, at least twenty minutes per core subject should be allotted for homework each evening.  Also, please remember our belief is that Reading Is the Key That Opens the Doors to Success. Daily reading is required for all students.

     

    Make-Up Work Policy: In the event of an absence, it is the responsibility of the student to secure all missing assignments within two (2) days and return them within the time frame given by the teacher.  For long-term illnesses (2 days or more) parents are required to contact the Main Office at 314-652-9282 and arrange to pick up their child’s homework assignments. 

     

    Written Assignments and Academic Misconduct: All written work submitted must be the student’s original work and conform to the guidelines provided by the teacher. This means that any substantive ideas, phrases, sentences, and/or any published ideas must be properly referenced to avoid even the appearance of plagiarism. It is the student’s responsibility to know all relevant school policies concerning plagiarism. Any documented cases of plagiarism can and will result in a failing grade.

     

    Classroom Routines & Procedures

     

    Bring to class daily:

    • IPad, fully charged each day with the charging cord
    • Sharpened pencils
    • Textbook or workbook
    • Assigned novel
    • ELA notebook
    • Composition book (remains in class)
    • Independent novel student is reading
    1. Entering the classroom – Enter silently and politely. Immediately sit down and begin the
      Do Now. Be sure to have all necessary items for class. Students will not be allowed to go to their lockers during class time.
    2. Exiting the classroom- When given directions, stand up quietly; push in your chair; take all necessary items; line up without touching others or talking; silently face the front of the line; watch where you are going; throw away trash as you exit; remain in line with your class section until entering your next class. The hall is a quiet area.
    3. Leaving the room – Get permission before leaving the room for any reason. If students need to leave the classroom, they will receive an assigned hall pass.
    4. Leaving your seat – You must raise your hand for permission before leaving your seat. I will allow to leave your seat as long as it is not disruptive to the class.
    5. Tardiness – You are late to class if you are not in line when the class enters the classroom. Excessive tardiness will result in a referral.
    6. Absences – It is your responsibility to make up any assignments in a timely manner. All missing work can be found in the designated homework area. Check with me for assignments the last ten minutes of class.
    7. Cell Phones/Electronic Devices-Per district policy, cell phones are not permitted in the building.  If seen in class, the administration may confiscate and return phones on Fridays.
    8. Obtaining help with assignments – Raise your hand to get help from me. If you are working with a group, quietly ask them for help in understanding how you do the assignment before asking me. Keep voices at a ‘one’ in volume in groups. Independent work is done at zero.
    9. Handing in finished work/homework – Check to make sure your name is on your paper and then place the work in your appropriate class basket. I will not accept any work that is left on my desk or in any other area of the classroom.
    10. Restroom - Restroom breaks are before school, before related arts (Period 2), and during lunch. Students may not leave the room the first and last ten minutes of class.
    11. Using the classroom library - When you complete your classwork, you may read silently. I will allow students to check out books from our class library through our classroom library app. They must return the books within 2 weeks and will be held responsible for lost / damaged books. Students will be allowed to read in the reading area of the classroom. This area is a privilege and will be used only with permission. Students will be given permission when they have completed ALL work, including any late or missing work. There is no eating or drinking in this area. The reading area is limited to 2 students at a time.
    12. Fire drill/ Other drills -  Stop everything; stand up and assemble in a line at the door quickly with the teacher, but without running or pushing to exit the building; do not cover your ears; do not make any side trips; wait patiently, calmly, and quietly in your designated area in line outside until we are allowed to go inside; remain with your group while waiting.