Syllabus for English 8

Instructor: Cory Pedersen
Room Number: S206
Email address:
Phone: (320) 982-7251



1. Course Description: This course is designed to develop a variety of skills including reading, writing, grammar, and speaking. Time will also be spent in the course preparing for the state MCA reading test, which takes place in the spring.

2. Course Outline

I. Grammar
-Daily Oral Language
-Independent/Dependent Clauses
-Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences

II. Writing
-Personal Essay
-Descriptive Essay
-Outline Writing
-Research Project
-Poetry Writing

III. Speaking
-Narrative Speech
-Demonstration/Informative Speech
-Persuasive Speech
-Impromptu Speech

VI. Vocabulary
-Prefix
-Suffix
-Root
-Word Mapping

V. Reading
-Fiction
-Novels
-Short Stories
-Nonfiction (Bios, Articles, and Essays)

VI. Poetry

VII. MCA Preparation

VIII. STAR Reading

3. Course Materials

Students are expected to come to class with these items everyday:

-Textbook
-Notebook
-Folder
-Planner: This is your pass. NO PLANNER, NO PASS
-Pen and Pencil
-Reading book for down time

4. Attendance

If you are absent, I MUST see a make-up slip from the office stating that you were absent, or you will not be able to make up the assignments that were missed. More than 12 absences will result in a total loss of credit for the course per the student handbook (p.15).

If you are tardy, and you do not have a legitimate pass, you will not receive credit for the work that you have missed. More than 3 unexcused tardies will equal an unexcused absence, which will turn in to a detention.

5. Home Work

Homework is an expected part of this course and will be due at the beginning of the class on the day that it is due unless other direction were give to the students prior to the assignment.

The assignments for the week will be posted every Monday for that weeks work. It is the student’s responsibility to write the assignments into their planners. This will help the student stay organized and promote that all assignments will be turned in on time.

Late work will be accepted up to one week after the due date and a “C” is the highest grade that can be earned. Work that is received more than a week overdue will be given a grade of zero.

6. Make-Up Work

Make-up work will be your responsibility. Since the assignments will be on the board at the beginning of the week, they should already be in your planner. It is also your responsibility to obtain any handouts or worksheets that were done on the days that were missed.

If you have an excused absent, you have two days to complete the missed assignment for each day that you were absent. Students with unexcused absences will not be allowed to make up their work.

If you are missing class due to an approved extra-curricular activity, it is your responsibility to pick up work before you leave.

7. Grading

A 100-95%
A- 93-94%
B+ 90-92%
B 87-89%
B- 84-86%
C+ 80-83%
C 75-79%
C- 70-74%
D+ 69%
D 67-69%
D- 65-66%

8. Expectations

-RESPECT
*when speaking to one another
*to all the materials and furniture
*when speaking to the teacher
*staying seated during instruction
*remaining on task
*to yourself

-NO PROFANE LANGUAGE (this includes)
*cursing
*racial, cultural or ethnic slurs
*put downs
*slander, libel
*sexual harassment

-BULLYING
*bullying, name calling, exclusion of classmates or any type of harassment will NOT be tolerated

-LEAVE IN YOUR LOCKER
*food, beverages, candy
*cell phone
*iPod
*things not related to English

9. Consequences
If you choose not to follow the expectations of this classroom, the following will occur:

1. A verbal reminder/warning will be given
2. Staying after class to process behavior with the teacher
3. In School Detention (ISD)
4. Lunch Detention
5. Call to your parents
6. Before/After school detention

10. Extra Help

If a student needs extra help, please let me know. I will be available most mornings and after school where he or she can schedule time to meet. I would like to see every student successfully complete his or her English class and will do everything within reason to help each make that goal.


I look forward to the upcoming school year and am excited to help you grow in your understanding of English. Please read this assignment with your parents and return to me by ____________________________________ for 5 points.



-------------------------------------------------cut and return----------------------------------------


I ,_______________________________________, have read, understand and will honor the terms
Print Name

outlined in the syllabus.



________________________________________________________ ________________________
Student Signature Date




_______________________________________________________ ________________________
Parent Signature Date