Cooper Middle School

4605 Ewing Road * Austell, GA 30106

Phone: (770) 819-2438 School website: http://www.cobbk12.org/cooper

CLASSROOM SYLLABUS
Teacher Name: Treva Barr

Content area: Language Arts Grade 8

Contact Information:
Email: Treva.Barr@cobbk12.org
Phone: (770) 819-2438
Course Description: The Cobb County Teaching and Learning Standards in ELA
provide a rigorous set of expectations in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and
language. Reading students will engage in a variety of both fiction and nonfiction text. Speaking & Listening students will engage in rich and rigorous
conversations about texts with peers and adults. Writing students will write
and use evidence from multiple texts or sources to inform, explain, or make an
argument. Language students will demonstrate a command of Standard
English grammar when writing in context and speaking.
TEXTBOOK INFORMATION:
Students will utilize a variety of texts throughout the unit.
STANDARDS: (First Nine Weeks Priority Standards)
ELAGSE8RL1: Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis
of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
ELAGSE8RI1: Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis
of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
ELAGSE8RL2: Determine a theme and/or central idea of a text and analyze its
development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the
characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.
ELAGSE8RI2: Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development
over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide
an objective summary of the text.
ELAGSE8RL3: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or
drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
ELAGSE8RI3: Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions
between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or
categories).
ELAGSE8RL4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in
a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of
specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to
other texts.
ELAGSE8RI4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in
a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the
impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or
allusions to other texts

Writing:
ELAGSE8W1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant
evidence
ELAGSE8W2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey
ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis
of relevant content.
ELAGSE8W7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a
self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional
related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
ELAGSE8W8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital
sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of
each source; and quote or paraphrase the data
and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard
format for citation
Speaking and Listening:
ELAGSE8SL1 a-d: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions
(one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics
and texts, building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly.
ELAGSE8SL4: Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a
focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and
well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear
pronunciation..
Language
ELAGSE8L1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English
grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

GRADING POLICY:
Classwork 35 %
Performance Tasks30%
Mini-Assessments.25%
Practice. .10 %

Work will only be accepted one (1) day late at a 20 point reduction.
Students caught cheating will receive a zero for the assignment.
Work that is torn, crumpled, ripped, stained, etc. will not be accepted.

Regular Practice Assignments - The following assignments are ongoing

throughout the year unless notified otherwise:
Daily Oral Language (DOL): Students will correct two sentences each
day. The students will be responsible for keeping a section in their binder
for DOL. Failure to do so will lower the students grade.
Vocabulary: Two students will bring in a vocabulary word they do not know
and present it to the class on Monday.
Book reports: Student will complete a project based assignments on
books they choose to read. The book must be grade level appropriate; the
book must be within the students Lexile band.

**Students will have additional practice assignments throughout the

quarter as needed to support student needs, performance tasks and
theme.

SUPPLIES:
3-ring binder
Dividers (5)
book
Pens (blue or black ink) no gel ink
Highlighters
Reading Journal
Data composition book

Writing Journal
Vocabulary composition
Binder rings
Post-Its
Index cards
Activate of Office 365 accounts

The students will receive an agenda. If for some unforeseen reason the students
loses the agenda, the cost to replace it will be $5.00 (cash only).
CLASS EXPECTATIONS:
Follow the rules and procedures of the school and this class.
Have materials daily (paper, pen, assignments, and personal reading
selection).
Actively participate in class and contribute positively to the learning
environment.
Check blog, Edmodo, and Synergy twice a week
Join Remind for the class
A: Accountability, I: Integrity, R: Respect
EXTRA SUPPORT/TUTORING: Available upon request
Please note according to student needs this syllabus is subject to
change. Notification will be provided.
Theme Keep Our Eyes on the Prize-Student Achievement
Mission- To ensure academic success for all learners

PLEASE SIGN BELOW AND RETURN

I have read the syllabus.

Student Signature___________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature____________________________________________________
Date_____________________________