English Language Arts - 8th Grade

Link to Pre-AP Rubric (1st, 2nd, and 6th periods)
Link to Pre-AP GT Rubric (4th and 7th periods)
Link to English 8 Rubric (5th period)

Example “Revise & Perfect/Spotlight” Project

AbiWord - A Free Word Processor (if you do not have Microsoft Word)

Google Docs - An online word processor

Journal Writing Expectations (Beckham) - Week of 3/22/09 to 3/29/09

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

4th & 7th Periods:
A = 10 pages combined (at least 3 in each journal)
B = 8 pages combined (at least 3 in each journal)
C = 6 pages combined (at least 2 in each journal)
D = 4 pages combined (at least 1 in each journal)

5th Period:
A = 6 pages combined (at least 2 in each journal)
B = 5 pages combined (at least 2 in each journal)
C = 3 pages combined (at least 1 in each journal)
D = 2 pages combiend (at least 1 in each journal)

Mr. Beckham’s classes will start the week off getting back into the flow of studying grammar, mixing in individual reading time and a more intensive look at vocabulary.

We will also be building towards projects in the Pre-AP and Pre-AP G/T classes, using the new grammar concepts and vocabulary focus to polish up some of our favorite writing pieces, organizing our favorites into a new final writing project.

The journal writing rubric for Mr. Beckham’s classes will remain unchanged from the previous school week.

Journal Writing Expectations (Beckham) - Week of 3/22/09 to 3/29/09

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

4th & 7th Periods:
A = 10 pages combined (at least 3 in each journal)
B = 8 pages combined (at least 3 in each journal)
C = 6 pages combined (at least 2 in each journal)
D = 4 pages combined (at least 1 in each journal)

5th Period:
A = 6 pages combined (at least 2 in each journal)
B = 5 pages combined (at least 2 in each journal)
C = 3 pages combined (at least 1 in each journal)
D = 2 pages combiend (at least 1 in each journal)

Mr. Beckham’s classes will continue “The Sentence” Unit, which will be dedicated to preparing the Pre-AP and Pre-AP GT classes for the LTF end-of-course exam on Friday, May 8th.

Some of the key concepts we will be working with:
- Breaking sentences down into their “meaningful chunks”.
- What are sentences made of? (phrases & clauses)
- How can be mix this new information with our established way of writing to create new skills and habits?
- Revision is a dish best served cold. (Spelunking in our journals for hidden treasures.)

Our goal will be to not only master the grammatical trivia that students are expected to know, but actually apply that knowledge to both old writing and new writing.

Journal Writing Expectations (Beckham) - Week of 3/9/09 to 3/15/09

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

4th & 7th Periods:
A = 10 pages combined (at least 3 in each journal)
B = 8 pages combined (at least 3 in each journal)
C = 6 pages combined (at least 2 in each journal)
D = 4 pages combined (at least 1 in each journal)

5th Period:
A = 6 pages combined (at least 2 in each journal)
B = 5 pages combined (at least 2 in each journal)
C = 3 pages combined (at least 1 in each journal)
D = 2 pages combiend (at least 1 in each journal)

Mr. Beckham’s classes will begin “The Sentence” Unit, which will be dedicated to preparing the Pre-AP and Pre-AP GT classes for the LTF end-of-course exam on Friday, May 8th.

Work Expectations (Beckham) - Week of 3/2/09 to 3/8/09

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

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

5th Period:
A = 4 (at least 1 in each journal)
B = 3 (at least 1 in each journal)
C = 2 (at least 1 in each journal)
D = 1 (at least 0.5 in each journal)