“…if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view […] until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." — To Kill a Mockingbird
I. Course Description
Welcome to English 8! This course will be combining both the English and US History curricula, integrating the material while providing opportunities to develop the skills necessary to succeed in high school and beyond. From the birth of the United States, to literature and current events, we will investigate, discuss, and debate a number of issues and seek to find the relevance of the past to our world today.
The course is guided by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which outlines English study as Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, and Language. In addition, this course is designed to be student-centered. Much of the learning experience will come from the student’s own individual research of various texts, primary sources, and digital media formats. Being that learning is a social process, students will also be required to actively participate in small and large group discussions both within the classroom and online. These activities and other social and collaborative exercises are critical for improving a student's historical and literary understanding and achieving success in this class. Finally, the students have a daily 30–minute reading requirement.
Skills taught this year will include inquiry, critical thinking, note taking, argumentation, and primary source analysis and interpretation. Students will also utilize technology to deepen learning and create digital media products that demonstrate the depth of knowledge and understanding.
II. Expectations
A. Start of Class
● In seat and ready to work when class starts
- All homework due by the start of class
- School assigned electronic devices only
● Be respectful and responsible. Our roles are to teach and to learn.
C. End of Class
● Do not exit class early. Students will be dismissed by the teacher.
III. Homework/Handout Area
● Students will have regular homework. Students are expected to read at least 30 minutes each night (per RUSD policy). In addition, some essays, vocabulary, and projects will require attention at home.
● Although large portions of this class will be done in-class, having read and completed any homework materials prior to the start of class is necessary to engaged fully with the day’s activities.
● Access all handouts from teacher’s Google Classroom required for learning
IV. Daily Materials (applies to in-person classes)
● Planner
● Binder
● English only notebook. Students will turn in this notebook from time to time.
● Pencil and/or pen. Also, students need a few different colored pens for annotation.
- Reading book -- class novel, IRP books, free choice
- Earbuds
- iPad with charger
V. Standards of Assessment
All major formative assessments must be completed to take the summative assessment. Any violation of Del Mar’s Academic Honesty Policy will be enforced.
- Writing
- Reading
- Speaking and Listening
- Language
- Media
- Habits of Learning
VI. Revisions
We encourage revision and attempts to better previous work, while recognizing that it is necessary to finish tasks by specific times so that each student can engage fully in class activities. All of our major writing assignments will have a number of steps that the student and teacher will monitor and improve upon. By the time the final draft is due, students are expected to submit their absolute best work possible, including the revisions made during previous steps of the writing process.
VII. Absences
It is the student’s (not the parent’s) responsibility to complete the following when absent or when aware of an upcoming absence:
- Review their teacher’s assignment page and know what work is being missed.
- Communicate with Mr. Sonneville about the absence through the use of a formal email.
- Avoid approaching the teacher at the start of a class about an absence. Do not ask, “What did I miss?” The student should already know what was missed due to completing the steps above.
- Take advantage of the optional office hours during the school day to work with teachers one-on-one.