8th Grade English

Byron Middle School

Dear Parents,

            Hello and welcome to the school year.  My name is Mrs. Pamela Richardson and I will be your child’s 8^th grade English teacher.  Listed below is a general layout for what your child will be doing this year in 8^th grade English class.  I have listed some of the assignments and the general goals that I would like your child to achieve this year.

            I am asking that you provide a 1 1/2 to 2 inch binder, loose leaf notebook paper, and dividers, which will be kept in the students' lockers for their journal writing and pencils.  As an experienced middle school teacher, I can tell you that students coming to class with something to write with is an issue.  Please help me in my effort to teach your child and make sure that they know they need something to write with EVERY DAY!  Pencils are the best choice.  Pens are sloppy and don’t allow much room for mistakes.

            There is no homework  for my class, however,  they will have to study their 20 vocabulary words.  There is a website they can go to that has the words and games you can use to practice them.  It is http://www.vocabtest.com.  Another site that I am developing is http://www.quia.com/web/studentZoneBegin.html.  I recommend flash cards, which can be home made if you don't have Internet access.  This list is recommended by the SAT for success on the SAT test.  There will be a unit test ever other Friday, which will be matching the word to the correct definition.  A master list of these words is at the bottom of this page.

                        When your child leaves my room in the spring, I want them to be ready to move to the high school confident in their reading and writing abilities.  I will do everything I can to help them in their efforts to be better readers and writers. 

The best way to contact me is through email, as our classrooms do not have phones, and I check my email every day.  My email address is richard1@byron.k12.mi.us.  You can also check the school website under middle school staff.  I try to periodically update my page on things that are going on in the classroom.  I also encourage students to be responsible for their own learning to prepare them for high school.  Students should track their own grades on Power School and turn in all daily assignments independently, without reminders from me or their guardians.

I am looking forward to working with your child this year and hope that we will all learn how much the written word influences all of our lives now and through the rest of our education as life long learners.

Sincerely, 

Mrs. Pamela Richardson

8^th Grade English Teacher – Byron Middle School

8^th Grade English General Plan

I.                   Vocabulary Practice

a.       Goal-increase understanding of more complex words and increase academic vocabulary.

b.      Test over 20 words every other Friday.

c.      Practice with the words in warm up activities online----several quizzes and things to choose from:

Also – quiz games etc. using the words silent ball, etc.

II.                Grammar and Sentence Structure

a.       Goal-students will write sentences that are grammatically correct.

b.      5 perfect sentences due every Thursday. 

c.       Periodic Parts Of Speech Practice.  (Grammar Tuesdays!)

III.             Writing Practice

a.       Goal-students will become proficient writers.

b.      Periodic 6 paragraph essay practice.

c.    Power points, newsletters, and other writing assignments

d.      Daily Journal Writing Warm Ups.

IV.             Reading Practice

a.       Goal-students will improve their reading skills, including comprehension and reading speed.

b.      Novels Read As A Whole Class:

             i.  Homecoming by Cynthia Voight

                                                              ii.      The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

                                                            iii.  Johnny Tremain  by  Esther Forbes

                                 c.       Timed Reading Practice Exercises with articles from the book, magazines, and Internet.

d.      Reading for student interest or choice----books will be discussed in “Book Talks,” periodically ----literature will be made available in the classroom--

e.       Periodic Comprehension Exercises will be conducted in class.