•   Mr. Griffith, English/ Language Arts and AVID

      
     
    English Language Arts 8

    8th grade texts: StudySync Literature (online anthology), Inside Out and Back Again by Thanha Lai, I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, Reading Circles (choice of novel)

    8th lesson focus: Writing- Autobiography/ personal narrative, response to literature/ summary, research writing/ informational writing, argumentative writing

    Reading- Informational and argumentative articles (analysis of claims and evidence), reading strategies for complex texts, elements of fiction (plot conflicts, character motivation, setting, theme) literary devices (i.e. symbolism, irony), clarification skills for unfamiliar vocabulary, figurative language, structural differences in poetry. Spelling/Vocabulary and Grammar are taught throughout the year.

    Grading: Grading is weighted on the following scale:

          • Tests, Writing Assessments, Projects                            40%            
            • Classwork and Homework                                     40%
          • Quizzes                                                                     20%

    Homework: Students will have homework 2-4 nights per week. I do not give homework on weekends unless it is a long term project. My philosophy on homework is that it should be a practice or continuation of a class time lesson. It should take students between 10 and 25 minutes to complete on average. If  it is taking significantly longer than that, the student should stop and speak to me the next day outside of class (a parent note helps).

    Late work: I will accept late work. It should not become a habit. 

    Absences: When a student is absent, he or she must see me outside of class time as soon as possible after returning to school.

     

    Contact Information:             email    zgriffith@slusd.us

                                                     Phone              618-4400 (ext. 3701)

                                                    

     
     

    Advancement Via Individual Determination

    AVID 8

    AVID is a global education program designed to provide academic support and college preparation for students committed to hard work.

    Writing                      reflections, notes, essays, letters, summaries

    Inquiry                       higher level questioning, notes, Socratic Method (tutorials)

    Collaboration            tutorials, group projects, games and team building

    Organization             notes, binders, time management

    Reading                     marking the text, critical reading strategies

     

     

    Grading: Grading is weighted on the following scale:

          • Tutorials                      40%
          • Cornell Notes              25%
          • Class work                  25%
          • Organization               10%

    Homework: Students will have homework 5 nights per week. In AVID, homework consists of note review and completing tutorial request forms. Each night AVID students should spend fifteen minutes reviewing, revising, and marking their notes for the day. If students did not take notes that day, they should spend this time writing one or two learning logs. Once we begin tutorials, students will need to complete a tutorial request form on Mondays and Wednesdays to prepare for tutorials the next day.

    Late work: I will accept late work for some class work assignments, but for tutorials, Cornell notes, and binder checks late work is pointless.

    Absences: When a student is absent, he or she must see me outside of class time as soon as possible after returning to school.

     

     

    Contact Information:                   email   zgriffith@slusd.us

                                                            Phone              618-4400 (ext. 3701)