Jarred Cowart- 8th Grade English Language Arts

Major Assignments Due:

Critical Book Review 2: April 28, 2009

*Composition that equals 30% of total grade.

Download How to Write a Critical Book Review

 

Extended Learning Time: Tutoring

Attention All Students And Parents!!!

          Tutoring will be offered beginning Tuesday, Jan. 27th-Thursday, April 2nd.  I will be offering extra help for the CRCT every Tuesday and Thursday morning.  I'll be in the classroom from 8-8:40am for extra help.  I will be going over CRCT questions in both Reading and ELA.  Also, if you need to complete missing work, rewrite a paper, or simply need help with an assignment, come to tutoring Tuesday and/or Thursday from 8-8:40am.  Students need to schedule a time to meet with me so that I won't have too many students at one time.  Come to tutoring; it will improve your grades and understanding!

Reading Logs

ATTENTION STUDENTS AND PARENTS!!! 

           Reading Logs are back in full effect.  Reading Logs are meant to ensure that every student satisfies the 25 Book Compaign standard.  Each student is required to read at least 20 pgs of a chapter book every night.  These reading books are checked out every 2 weeks by the student from the classroom or school library.  Reading Logs are to be filled out by the student and signed by the parent Monday night thru Friday night. Students complete Reading Logs by writing a brief summary of their reading for the night and getting a parent signature.  Each day counts as 25pts.  Reading Logs are only accepted if they are fully completed.  Reading Logs count as 10% of the student's overall grade and are due everyday at the beginning of class.

Critical Book Review

          Ladies & Gentlemen, I would like to proudly introduce to you the Critical Book Review!  In our classroom we now have a system in place that requires students to check out a personal reading book every 2 weeks.  Since students are responsible for reading 20 pages per night, and because most of our classroom and school library books are no more than 200 pages in length, students should be able to complete each book within the 2 week period.  After completing the book, students are expected to write a Critical Book Review in which they discuss the text in depth.  These are not simply book reports that 5th graders are used to writing; they are much more detailed than that.  Students are expected to discuss elements of theme, the author's purpose, the main idea, and most importantly, develop a thesis statement about the text.  Most importantly, students are required to demonstrate not only a clear understanding of the text but that they have thought critically about the book as well. 

Here is the Critical Book Review Guideline: Download how_to_write_a_critical_book_review.doc

Reading Homework

         Each student is required to complete 20 pages of reading every night.  This reading should come from a book that each student has adopted from the class library.  Every two weeks students should be prepared to submit a critical reiview of the book as well as check out a new book.  Parents please monitor your student's reading, Reading Logs, and Critical Book Reviews.

Expository Writing

          We are now beginning a new writing standard: Expository Writing.  Expository Writing is writing in which one explains or describes something.  A good example of explanatory writing is giving directions or telling how something is done.  Also, Expository Writing involves comparing and contrasting two things.  This can be done in the form of a report.  Speaking of reports, writing a good book report or movie review is a type of Expository Writing as well.  Our class will have a chance to experience all of the different types of Expository Writing. 

          It is very important that our students understand the elements of Expository Writing for a few reasons.  First, the Writing Exam that all 8th grade students are required to pass in January will either be Expository or Persuasive Writing.  Secondly, most of the writing that our students will do in high school and college will be Expository Writing.  Please ask your student about their understanding of this extremely importan standard.