English Language Arts - 8th Grade

Work Expectations (Beckham) - Week of 2/23/09

1st, 2nd & 6th Periods:
A = 10 pages (at least 3 in each journal)
B = 8 pages (at least 3 in each journal)
C = 6 pages (at least 2 in each journal)
D = 4 pages (at least 1 in each journal)

4th & 7th Periods:
A = 11 pages (at least 3 in each journal)
B = 9 pages (at least 3 in each journal)
C = 7 pages (at least 2 in each journal)
D = 5 pages (at least 1 in each journal)

5th Period:
A = 8 (at least 2 in each journal)
B = 6 (at least 2 in each journal)
C = 5 (at least 1 in each journal)
D = 4 (at least 1 in each journal)

As the Pre-AP classes and the English 8 class focus on TAKS Reading 8 preparation for the entire week, the G/T classes will spend the first half of the week working on the “You Decide” projects they have designed for themselves. These projects are due Wednesday 2/25.

The “You Decide” project is an opportunity for the students to look back over their body of work so far this year and create a new, short project that allows them to pursue an avenue of interest while setting for themselves an appopriate challenge.

Each week, students are responsible for writing in their writing notebook. 

Any writing is acceptable within the writing notebook.  The writing notebook serves as a tool to launch individuals into writing projects by allowing students to develop upon their own ideas.  Writing is also excellent practice because students are able to take what they have learned in class and apply it to their own writing.

6 pages-GT English

5 pages-Pre-AP English

4 pages-English

Work Expectations (Beckham) - Week of 2/16/09

1st, 2nd & 6th Periods:
A = 10 pages (at least 3 in each journal)
B = 8 pages (at least 3 in each journal)
C = 6 pages (at least 2 in each journal)
D = 4 pages (at least 1 in each journal)

4th & 7th Periods:
A = 11 pages (at least 3 in each journal)
B = 9 pages (at least 3 in each journal)
C = 7 pages (at least 2 in each journal)
D = 5 pages (at least 1 in each journal)

5th Period:
A = 8 (at least 2 in each journal)
B = 6 (at least 2 in each journal)
C = 5 (at least 1 in each journal)
D = 4 (at least 1 in each journal)

- The rough draft for the writing project will be due for all periods on Wednesday, February 19th. (5-10 pages in writer’s journal)

- Due to the need to move into a mode of preparing on-level students for TAKS and G/T students for the LTF end-of-course exam, the final drafts for the reading and writing projects will both be taken as an extra project grade, but will be optional for most students (depending upon the quality of their rough draft).

- This week we will be working on the writing project (author imitation using the skills and strategies pulled from the author analysis) until Wednesday. Thursday and Friday will be the official beginning for TAKS/LTF preparation.

Work Expectations (Beckham) - Week of 2/9/09

1st, 2nd & 6th Periods:
A = 10 pages (at least 3 in each journal)
B = 8 pages (at least 3 in each journal)
C = 6 pages (at least 2 in each journal)
D = 4 pages (at least 1 in each journal)

4th & 7th Periods:
A = 11 pages (at least 3 in each journal)
B = 9 pages (at least 3 in each journal)
C = 7 pages (at least 2 in each journal)
D = 5 pages (at least 1 in each journal)

5th Period:
A = 8 (at least 2 in each journal)
B = 6 (at least 2 in each journal)
C = 5 (at least 1 in each journal)
D = 4 (at least 1 in each journal)

Reading Project Rough Draft due Wednesday 2/11 in literacy journal (ALL PERIODS)
(changed from Thursday 2/12 because Mr. Beckham will be at an LTF training on that day)

Work Expectations (Beckham) - Week of 2/2/09
Writer’s Journal - 5 pages
Literacy Journal - 4 pages

Work on the “touchstone text” projects continues, getting into the real work of what the writing needs to look like.

“Touchstone Text” Unit Project Due Dates (Mr. Beckham)
Reading Project: Rough Draft due in literacy journal 2/12 - Final Draft due 2/17
Writing Project: Rough Draft due in writer’s journal 2/19 - Final Draft due 2/24