Literature Syllabus for Eighth Grade
Instructor: Betsy Gottschalk
Independent Reading:
1.Read 250 pages per week. Read fiction or non-fiction. Read books with a story to them.
2.Keep track of the books you read by listing the title, author and a brief summary of what the book is about. Do this as you start each new book. You may use the information on the back cover of the book for this summary (if available).
3.Before you finish a book you will need to let me know what your personal response is to the book. I'll let you know if it's a conference week or a week in which you write a letter to me about the book.
4.After you finish the book, you will report on it. You may choose from a variety of ways to report on the book. Alternate visual, written or dramatic methods of reporting. I will model some of these forms for you.
5.At least once during the year you will present a book talk to the rest of the class. The talk should be on a book which is appropriate for your classmates (always check with me at least a week before your talk to find out if I consider it appropriate for the class), and one which few of your classmates have read. Accompany the talk with a poster of an important scene or character from the book. I will demonstrate several examples of posters. You will write an outline for your talk to hand to me before you speak. Practice your speech before you present it to the class.
Literature Circles (book clubs)
Literature circle sessions are a chance to discuss books in depth. We'll gather in small groups at least once per week during the time we are discussing the group's book. You will be responsible to come with notes about what you read, so that you will be able to contribute to the discussion. You also need to bring the book we are discussing and you do need to talk about the book when we are meeting.
Read-aloud
I will read books and poetry aloud to you also.
Literature Grading
Independent Reading and Book Talk= 70%
Literature Circle=30%
Your behavior and preparation for class counts in your grade.
