Carrollton Junior High School

2018-2019 Course Syllabus

8eacher: Mrs. Atcheson E-Mail: morgan.atcheson@carrolltoncityschools.net
Course: 8th grade Language Arts/Reading Website: http://mrsatcheson.weebly.com
I. Unit Layout
A. 1st 9 Weeks- Culture and Belonging (Grammar Focus)
B. 2nd 9 Weeks- The Thrill of Horror
C. 3rd 9 Weeks- Coming of Age/ Rite of Passage
D. 4th 9 Weeks- Blood Vs. Water
II. Reading
A. 1 Extended Text
B. Multiple Routine Texts (teacher’s choice)
C. 2 or more Close Reading
III. Vocabulary
A. Content Vocabulary
B. Critical Vocabulary
IV. Grammar
A. Mood
B. Verbals
C. Latin and Greek Prefixes/Roots/Suffixes
D. Active and Passive Voice
E. Punctuation (dashes, commas, semi-colons, ellipses)
F. Subject-Verb Agreement
G. Fragments/ Run-Ons
H. Word Relations
I. Context Clues
J. Connotation and Denotation
V. Writing
A. Extended Writing in MLA format (Argumentative and Informative)
B. Research Writing Piece (Extended Response)
C. Narrative Extended Constructed Response
D. Short Constructed Responses
E. Routine Writing each week
VI. Materials Required for Success
A. binder
B. notebook paper
C. blue/black ink pens and pencils
***Students may find markers/colored pencils, highlighters and sticky notes useful, but these
are NOT required.
VII. Read Theory
A. Each 9 Weeks students will be required to complete 10 PASSING Read Theory Quizzes on their
own time. This counts as a test grade.
B. It may take up to 20 minutes to complete the pretest. Progress will not be saved until the pretest
has been completed.
 Carrollton Junior High School
2018-2019 Course Syllabus

VIII. Textbooks
A. Textbook
B. Close Reader Workbook
C. Common Core Assessment Workbook

IX. Grades
A. Grade Scale
a. Homework 5%
b. Classwork 15%
c. Quiz 20%
d. Test 30%
e. Projects 30%
B. Papers with no names will result in a loss of 5 points per day, and is the student’s responsibility
to re-submit with name for a grade to be entered into Infinite Campus
C. All work must be submitted in blue/black ink or pencil. No colored paper, crumpled or ripped
paper will be accepted. Work submitted in this fashion will be returned to the student to
correct before the teacher will grade.
D. Students may re-test 1 test or quiz during a 9 week period. In order for a student to re-test,
they must have failed (69 or below) the test they wish to re-do.
X. Absences
A. Students are responsible for any and all work missed when absent. (Parents should
communicate extenuating circumstances by phone or e-mail.)
***This syllabus is subject to change to accommodate for time restraints and meet the individual needs and
interests of the students. Students will be notified of changes.

Due to the nature of the writing process, papers will be graded in a reasonable amount of time.

Student Signature Parent Signature