Woodward Middle School
Keri Schmit
8th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies
General Class Information
Required Materials:
You need the following materials for class each day:
* 3-ring binder with dividers
* 3-holed punch spiral notebook to be placed in binder
* substantial supply of loose leaf paper
* pen (blue or black ink)
* pencil
* silent reading book
* daily planner (Used as hall pass—required to leave the room.)
In addition, you should keep the following items at school for when needed:
* colored pencils and/or markers
* 3x5 note cards
Optional but appreciated contributions to class:
* Kleenex
* Ream of white paper for printer
* A box of pens/pencils
The history textbook, World History: The Human Experience, will remain in the classroom. Students may check out an additional copy to have at home if they desire.
Attendance:
Attendance and active participation are essential to learning. This class revolves around learning activities which take place during class time requiring your presence and participation. If you know that you will be absent from class, please complete a pre-arranged absence form with the office and have me sign it as soon as possible.
When you have been absent, you are expected to get your missing work from a classmate or myself, preferably before or after school. Assignments given prior to absence are due upon return to school. Assignments and tests given while absent are due within the same number of days of student’s absence, unless other arrangements have been made in advance.
You are expected to arrive to class and on time. If you arrive late to class without a pass, you must complete a tardy slip providing the reason for your tardiness. Every 3rd tardy results in an NTO.
Homework:
You will have homework in either language arts or social studies virtually every night. However, many assignments can be done at any point during the week, allowing you to plan around your schedule. Directions and expectations for assignments are given in writing and should be followed carefully. Unless specifically stated otherwise, I expect all work to be your own. All forms of cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable. All formal homework assignments should be typed or written neatly in blue or black ink (never red!).
Homework is posted on the board and should be consistently written in planner. Homework for the week is also posted on my webpage each Monday. However, assignments are sometimes added later in the week, so students must check the board each day!
Grading Scale
A : 93-99.9%, A-: 90-92.9%, B+: 87-89.9%, B : 83-86.9%, B-: 80-82.9%, C+: 77-79.9% , C : 73-76.9%, C-: 70-72.9%, D+: 67-69.9%, D : 63-66.9%, D-: 60-62.9%, F : 0-59.9%.
Grade Printouts:
Students will receive usually the second Wednesday of the month, see planner and listserv for exact dates. These printouts are to be signed by parents and returned. Parents will also receive a grade printout for first semester at conferences on January 30 February 1. If you or your parents ever need an additional update, please submit your request to me in writing and I will provide the information as soon as possible.
Late Work:
Work which is turned in one day late will receive a 10% reduction on the grade. After that, late work is accepted for 50% credit. (Realize that 50% is not a passing grade!) Students must complete a late slip and attach to the assignment in order to receive credit. Assignments related to a specific unit must be completed before the end of the unit. Students who chronically turn work in late risk a failing grade for the class. On rare occasions, a student may need an extension on an assignment. If so, the student must ask for one prior to the day an assignment is due.
Extra Credit:
While I occasionally give opportunities for extra credit, my standard policy is that students desiring extra credit need to come up with an original idea related to the subject and submit it to me in writing for approval. Extra credit is only awarded if the student has no missing assignments. (It may not take the place of regular coursework.) Extra credit cannot raise a student’s grade more than two steps (e.g. B- to B+).
Silent
Reading:
Because we all recognize the value of reading, you will have 20 minutes of silent reading 4 days each week. The schedule is as follows: Tuesdays— Social Studies, Wednesdays—Science, Thursdays— Math, Fridays— Language Arts. Thus, I will expect you to bring a silent reading book to my class each Tuesday and Friday. Students who do not come to class with a book on these days will be assigned a reading and a required assignment to complete. Because outside reading is an important component of our language arts program, I expect you to have a silent reading book in class each day.
Teacher Availability:
If you need my help, just ask! I am available to most days before school. Because my workday ends at 2:04pm, I will only be available after school on a limited basis by appointment. You or your parents may call me at 780-4542 or email me at kschmit@bainbridge.wednet.edu.