Scarsdale

Welcome!

Welcome to 8th grade English! This year, we will embark on a journey of self discovery as we explore themes of identity, perspective, and the intricate relationship between individuals and their world. Through engaging discussions, thought-provoking readings, and opportunities for writing and creative expression, we will enhance our skills as critical and sophisticated readers, writers, and thinkers. We will learn and use strategies that will empower you to navigate the complexities of literature and the world around you. Your unique perspectives, insights, and ideas are invaluable to our collective learning experience. Together, we will create a vibrant and inclusive learning environment where everyone’s voice is heard, celebrated, and respected.

Academic Integrity: The expectation is that all work submitted in all of your courses is your own work or, when appropriate, is the shared work of a pair or group. Academic dishonesty includes copying answers from another student and/or another source that is not your own original thinking. This includes the use of large language models. We will discuss the importance of academic integrity, how to effectively use technology including large language models such as ChatGPT, and how to appropriately cite reliable sources throughout the year.

For all typed assignments, revision history must reveal all work from the beginning to the end of the writing process. Students who do not comply with this requirement will not have their work evaluated until their revision history reflects their writing process from start to finish. 

Office Hours: Office hours are a good use of time to review feedback on a homework/writing assignment and/or essay; review and practice the applied reading strategies for analyzing characters; and clarify and/or reinforce the texts, skills, and materials discussed in class. I am available Tuesday through Thursday from 2:36-3:20pm and by appointment. Should you have a question or concern and cannot attend office hours, you may email me to arrange a time for us to talk in person.

Writing Conferences: Writing conferences are one on one (student and teacher) individual writing coaching sessions that are offered both during the process of writing and after writing has been completed. Students sign up for sessions on Schoology, attend the session with questions and/or a specific writing issue to address, and have an opportunity to work through a portion of an assignment together. These are not pre-reading or pre-grading conferences but instead opportunities for students to improve in a specific area related to course skills and/or content. Conferences can be used as part of a revision/rewrite opportunity as well.