Class Syllabus, Grade 8 Seminar English

Martina Fehlhaber, Room 801

e-mail: mfehlhaber@sandi.net

Welcome to Wangenheim Middle School and eighth grade Seminar English.

Who is Ms Fehlhaber?

Personal: Born in Germany (fluent in German);raised in Northern California (Silicon Valley); frequent traveler to Europe and other destinations (I went to Budapest this time!). An avid reader and member of two book clubs, including the one at Wangenheim.

Education:University of California, Santa Barbara (I love the beach) - B.A. in Germanic Languages

National University, San Diego - Teacher Credentialing Program

U.C.S.D. - California State GATE Credential

University of Phoenix - M.A.T. Master of Arts in Teaching

Other credentials: CLAD, supplemental in German Language

This is my tenth year at Wangenheim. I also teach 6th grade and am the English Department Chair.

What will we study this year?

Reading: All of the reading we do will be closely aligned with the California State Standards. A complete list of the standards are available at http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/enggrade8.asp. We will also have many Socratic Seminars with in-depth and meaningful discussions around current events, social issues, and global themes. Some of the units we will explore this year are: Expository texts, editorials, short stories, poetry, and novels, such as Fahrenheit 451, California Blue, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Chocolate War. We will follow a global theme throughout theyear.

English and History will be closely integrated and students will be expected to apply much of the learning in both classes.

Writing:The writing will be closely aligned with the CA State Standards in preparation for higher levels of on demand writing, such as the CAHSEE and the SAT essay.

Our writing projects for this year will include the following: short story, editorial, response to literature, poetry, and expository text.

What about homework?

Students will be expected to do much of the assigned reading outside of class, as well as reading a novel of their choice. Nightly reading should be a minimum of 30 minutes. Accountability will be in the form of assessment questions, quizzes, reading responses, and exit slips.

Word Study Units (vocabulary) will be assigned weekly: every Thursday, with the work due the following Wednesday and tests on Thursday. This allows you to do a smaller portion each night and still keep up with other long term assignments and the homework in your other classes. Much of the work can be completed during class time each Thursday. (hint, hint)

Final drafts of various writing assignments will be typed at home or after school in the lab.

Grading Scale

Reading 30% Writing 30% Listening/Speaking 15% Word Study 25%

How can I keep track of my child's progress ?

Report cards will be issued six times this year, about 6 weeks apart. Please see the Wangenheim Planner for dates.

Grades and assingments for classes are recorded online via the district's Parent Connect website. Sign up forms are included in the informational packet sent home the first week of school. Parents are given a password which allows 24 hour access to ALL classes, not just this one. I highly encourage you to use this valuable resource to keep up with your child's progress and success at Wangenheim Middle School.

What happens if I am absent?

Work missed because of absences must be made up . Students miss out on crucial discussions, and activities when absent. Therefore, unnecessary absences should be avoided. It is helpful to have a class buddy who can deliver and explain the assignments or call the Homework Hotline to help keep up to date on assignments whenever possible. It is the student's responsibility to ask about assignments to be made up after an absence. Students with an excused absence will be given a grace period in which to complete the missing work in order to maintain current assignments.

Do you accept late work?

YES! However, please send a note or e-mail if there is a justifiable reason for a late assignment, otherwise late work will be reduced by a full grade. Minimal points are given on work that is a week or more late, however partial credit is always better than no credit. An automated phone call system will be used to phone home whenever an assignment is not handed in.

What if I need tutoring or extra help?

Students who need extra help or would like more feedback on writing assignments are welcome to come after school on Tuesdays, from 2:15-3:25. I may also find it necessary to keep students after school who have difficulty keeping up with their weekly work, in order to ensure a passing grade in the class.

Thank you for your time and interest in your child's education. Please feel free to contact me at school if you have any questions or concerns. E-mail works best or send a note with your child.