See Course Outline and Communication Plan below
8-1 is finishing up media texts. The next set of lessons will focus on making inferences and locating main idea.
8-2 is working on making inferences and locating main idea; they will then move into a mini-media unit.
When checking their marks on the PowerSchool Parent Portal, make sure to click on the assignment to see the description and their level on each outcome assessed during that assignment.
Grade 8 English Language Arts Course Outline and Communication Plan 2016-17
Teacher: Beth Baker Phone: (902) 885-2777 EXT: 7651229
Email: [email protected] Website: http://bbakerdmhs.weebly.com/
ELA focuses on three strands during each term-
Speaking and Listening, Reading and Viewing, and Writing and Other Ways of Representing.
Speaking and Listening- Students will consider other people’s point of view, ask questions, express themselves in a variety of ways, listen attentively, participate in small-group and whole-class conversations, follow instructions and show an understanding that different situations require different speaking and listening conventions.
*In addition to small group opportunities, students will meet their speaking and listening outcomes by completing a formal presentation each term. Topic and type will vary.
Reading and Viewing- Students will select a variety of appropriately leveled texts, recognize and use text features, independently use reading and viewing strategies, talk and write about how viewers make meaning from texts, know how and where to find resources, recognize bias and state a point of view and add supporting details.
*Students are encouraged to read at home (novels, blogs, newspapers, non-fiction, etc.). Reading logs will be sent home at various times throughout the year.
Writing and Other Ways of Representing- Students will experiment with a range of strategies, explain their growth as writers, take notes, add interesting details to written work, produce a range of forms, use correct style, voice, organization, and tone, complete the writing process, use technology, and use correct spelling and grammar in final drafts.
*Students are always encouraged to read their work aloud before handing in a final draft.
Course Units and Timeline:
All units align with the Nova Scotia RWM8 assessment which will take place between May 23rd and June 2, 2017.
*Units are subject to change based on student need.
Assessment strategies:
Formative and summative assessments will be
utilized to support student learning and
communicate student achievement. These include,
but are not limited to,
Students will have multiple opportunities to demonstrate their understanding throughout each term.
First term runs from September 8 until November 11, second term runs from November 15 until March 21 and third term runs from March 23 until June 30.
While it is understandable that some absences are unavoidable, regular attendance is key to a successful year; please remember that new learning will take place daily. When absences do occur, it is the student’s responsibility to see me during AS time (12:00-12:20) on the day of their return. All assignments due during their absence are expected to be passed in and new due dates will be assigned for assignments missed.
In order to provide timely feedback and move students forward in their learning, assignments must be passed in on the due date. Missing assignments may be accepted late, however please keep in mind that once answers are reviewed in class students are unable to pass that assignment in. Parents are able to check Powerschool to see up-to-date information on missing assignments. If you do not have your username and password, please contact Ms. Levy in the office.
Provincial Achievement Levels: (As reported on Gradebook/Powerschool)
Achievement Level
Description
4
In‐depth knowledge and understanding of content and concepts. Able to extend the application of related skills.
3+
Competent +
3
Competent knowledge and understanding of content and concepts. Appropriate application of the related skills.
2+
Developing +
2
Developing knowledge and understanding of content and concepts. Developing in the application of the related skills.
1+
Limited +
1
Limited knowledge and understanding of content and concepts. Limited application of related skills.
Professional judgment will be used for all assessment types. Descriptive feedback will be provided by way of rubrics and/or comments; results will be updated on Powerschool/Gradebook in a timely manner.
All assessment, evaluation and communication practices will comply with the Education Act and provincial and regional policies.
To access the English curriculum outcomes, refer to the Department of Education website at www.ednet.ns.ca and go to “Document Depot”. From there, go to “Curriculum & Textbooks”, followed by “Learning Outcomes Framework”.
8-1 is finishing up media texts. The next set of lessons will focus on making inferences and locating main idea.
8-2 is working on making inferences and locating main idea; they will then move into a mini-media unit.
When checking their marks on the PowerSchool Parent Portal, make sure to click on the assignment to see the description and their level on each outcome assessed during that assignment.
Grade 8 English Language Arts Course Outline and Communication Plan 2016-17
Teacher: Beth Baker Phone: (902) 885-2777 EXT: 7651229
Email: [email protected] Website: http://bbakerdmhs.weebly.com/
ELA focuses on three strands during each term-
Speaking and Listening, Reading and Viewing, and Writing and Other Ways of Representing.
Speaking and Listening- Students will consider other people’s point of view, ask questions, express themselves in a variety of ways, listen attentively, participate in small-group and whole-class conversations, follow instructions and show an understanding that different situations require different speaking and listening conventions.
*In addition to small group opportunities, students will meet their speaking and listening outcomes by completing a formal presentation each term. Topic and type will vary.
Reading and Viewing- Students will select a variety of appropriately leveled texts, recognize and use text features, independently use reading and viewing strategies, talk and write about how viewers make meaning from texts, know how and where to find resources, recognize bias and state a point of view and add supporting details.
*Students are encouraged to read at home (novels, blogs, newspapers, non-fiction, etc.). Reading logs will be sent home at various times throughout the year.
Writing and Other Ways of Representing- Students will experiment with a range of strategies, explain their growth as writers, take notes, add interesting details to written work, produce a range of forms, use correct style, voice, organization, and tone, complete the writing process, use technology, and use correct spelling and grammar in final drafts.
*Students are always encouraged to read their work aloud before handing in a final draft.
Course Units and Timeline:
- What is effort? (September)
- Grammar basics (September)
- Narrative writing (October-November)
- Visual text (December-January)
- Text features (January-February)
- Information text (February-March)
- Poetry/songs (March-April)
- Essay organization (April-May)
- TBD (June)
All units align with the Nova Scotia RWM8 assessment which will take place between May 23rd and June 2, 2017.
*Units are subject to change based on student need.
Assessment strategies:
Formative and summative assessments will be
utilized to support student learning and
communicate student achievement. These include,
but are not limited to,
- Formal and informal observations
- Anecdotal records
- Conferences
- Questioning (various levels)
- Presentations
- Reflections
- Work samples
- Projects
- Quizzes/Tests
- Peer and self assessment
Students will have multiple opportunities to demonstrate their understanding throughout each term.
First term runs from September 8 until November 11, second term runs from November 15 until March 21 and third term runs from March 23 until June 30.
While it is understandable that some absences are unavoidable, regular attendance is key to a successful year; please remember that new learning will take place daily. When absences do occur, it is the student’s responsibility to see me during AS time (12:00-12:20) on the day of their return. All assignments due during their absence are expected to be passed in and new due dates will be assigned for assignments missed.
In order to provide timely feedback and move students forward in their learning, assignments must be passed in on the due date. Missing assignments may be accepted late, however please keep in mind that once answers are reviewed in class students are unable to pass that assignment in. Parents are able to check Powerschool to see up-to-date information on missing assignments. If you do not have your username and password, please contact Ms. Levy in the office.
Provincial Achievement Levels: (As reported on Gradebook/Powerschool)
Achievement Level
Description
4
In‐depth knowledge and understanding of content and concepts. Able to extend the application of related skills.
3+
Competent +
3
Competent knowledge and understanding of content and concepts. Appropriate application of the related skills.
2+
Developing +
2
Developing knowledge and understanding of content and concepts. Developing in the application of the related skills.
1+
Limited +
1
Limited knowledge and understanding of content and concepts. Limited application of related skills.
Professional judgment will be used for all assessment types. Descriptive feedback will be provided by way of rubrics and/or comments; results will be updated on Powerschool/Gradebook in a timely manner.
All assessment, evaluation and communication practices will comply with the Education Act and provincial and regional policies.
To access the English curriculum outcomes, refer to the Department of Education website at www.ednet.ns.ca and go to “Document Depot”. From there, go to “Curriculum & Textbooks”, followed by “Learning Outcomes Framework”.