Mrs. Bowers

8^th Grade CORE

Room 115

Home 682-5311

School 682-4073

bowersc@chelanschools.org

bowersl@peoplepc.com

Welcome to Mrs. Bowers’ 8^th Grade CORE class! I am looking forward to a GREAT year! The following information will help us to have a successful and rewarding year. Please sign the attached sheet and return by Wednesday, September 14, 2005.

Core classes are an integration of language arts, social studies, and reading. Core classes are graded on daily assignments, tests and quizzes, projects, use of classroom technology, and progress on Accelerated Reader goals. The language class will use The Write Source 2000 curriculum. It is based on teaching the skills of 6 Trait writing as well as focusing on grammar and editing skills. We will also be using Accelerated Writer as an organization/specific ideas tool for essay writing. The Working Words in Spelling will be used to increase vocabulary this year. The reading curriculum is Snapshots: Literature for Young Adults series, a variety of 8^th grade novels, and the Accelerated Reader program. Social Studies will cover the history of the United States up through 1877 and Washington State History. This will satisfy the high school requirement for Washington State History for graduation. 8th graders will also complete a major research paper in the spring. Students will work on a writing portfolio which will include a variety of specific writing samples to reflect their writing growth.

Classroom Expectations

· Bring all necessary materials to class. (Binder, planner, pencils, and books)

· Be on time and ready to work with a good attitude!

· Follow directions the FIRST time given.

· Respect yourself and others. (Remember: Diversity!!!)

· Follow general school rules.

Tardy Consequences

· 1^st Tardy – Warning from teacher

· 2^nd Tardy – 15 minute detention during lunch

· 3^rd Tardy – Office referral to Mr. DePaoli

Grading Policy

· Daily Assignments/Writing/Projects 45%

· Tests/Quizzes 30%

· Accelerated Reader Goal 25%

While grading, I will also take into consideration:

a. Participation in class discussions

b. Participation in cooperative group assignments/projects

c. Creativity on projects/assignments

d. Quality and effort on projects/assignments

e. Self-grading on projects/assignments

**Late work is not accepted and will be scored as a zero. In the event of an excused absence (other than a school-sponsored event), a student may have the same number of days missed to make up any missing work. Students who know in advance that they will be absent should get the assignments prior to missing school.