Dana Knapp

8^th Grade ELA

Grade Level: 8th

Course Description:
English Language Arts

This year serves as a vital bridge between middle school and high school literacy expectations. Our course is designed to strengthen critical thinking, analytical reading, persuasive writing, and active listening. Through whole-class novels, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction texts, students will learn to analyze complex texts, list textual evidence effectively, and express their ideas clearly through written and spoken media.

?Learning Objectives

?By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• ?Determine Theme & Central Idea: Identify central themes or main ideas in fiction and non-fiction and analyze their development over the course of a text.
• ?Master the Writing Process: Write clear, coherent argumentative, informative/explanatory, and narrative essays utilizing drafting, revising, and editing stages.
• ?Expand Vocabulary & Grammar: Analyze words using Greek and Latin roots, context clues, and apply proper conventions of Standard English grammar and usage.
• ?Engage in Collaborative Discussion: Prepare for and participate effectively in structured academic conversations and presentations.

Classroom Expectations & Core Policies

1. ?Be Respectful: Listen actively when others are speaking, treat classmates with kindness, and respect classroom materials.
2. ?Be Prepared: Arrive on time with your required materials, completed assignments, and a ready-to-learn attitude.
3. ?Be Engaged: Participate in class discussions, group activities, and ask questions when you need clarification.
4. ?Academic Integrity: All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism or unauthorized copying will result in a zero and a parent contact.

?Required Materials

?Please bring the following materials for class

• composition notebook
• pencils

?Grading Scale 

?Grading Scale

• ?A: 90% – 100%
• ?B: 80% – 89%
• ?C: 70% – 79%
• ?D: 60% – 69%
• ?F: Below 60%

Assignments:
Students will have daily journal entries that will be checked on Fridays, chapter worksheets, test, quarterly book reports, and online assignments including No Red Ink. 

Extra Help:
Extra help is available before school at 7:45 a.m. or during the planning period by appointment. 

If students continually do not turn in their work, turn it in late, or to an unsatisfactory level, they may be required to attend “Focus Time” before school to stay caught up. If the student has be asked to attend and does not show up, they will be assigned lunch detention. After 5 lunch detentions, in school suspension will be administered. 

Learning is not optional and subpar work will not be accepted. I expect your best!

6^th Grade Science

Grade Level: 6

Course Overview

?Welcome to 6th Grade Science! This course is designed to introduce students to foundational concepts across Earth science, life science, and physical science. Through hands-on investigation, scientific inquiry, modeling, and collaborative experiments, students will learn how to observe the world around them, formulate testable questions, and draw evidence-based conclusions.

?Learning Objectives

?By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• ?Apply the Scientific Method & Engineering Design: Formulate testable hypotheses, design controlled experiments, collect data, and build models to solve practical problems.
• ?Understand Earth & Space Systems: Analyze weather patterns, the water cycle, Earth's climate drivers, and the scale and properties of our solar system.
• ?Explore Cellular & Biological Systems: Identify structure and function in living organisms, from basic cell structure to complex body systems.
• ?Investigate Matter & Energy Transfer: Differentiate between states of matter, model thermal energy transfers, and explain how energy flows through biological and physical systems.
• ?Utilize Evidence-Based Reasoning: Support scientific claims using data, graphs, and evidence gathered during laboratory investigations.

Required Materials

Composition notebook 

colored pencils

?Grading Scale

• • ?A: 90% – 100%
  • ?B: 80% – 89%
  • ?C: 70% – 79%
  • ?D: 60% – 69%
  • ?F: Below 60%

Extra Help:
Extra help is available before school at 7:45 a.m. or during the planning period by appointment. 

If students continually do not turn in their work, turn it in late, or to an unsatisfactory level, they may be required to attend “Focus Time” before school to stay caught up. If the student has be asked to attend and does not show up, they will be assigned lunch detention. After 5 lunch detentions, in school suspension will be administered. 

Learning is not optional and subpar work will not be accepted. I expect your best!

Plan 

6^th Grade Science

Grade Level: 6

Course Overview

?Welcome to 6th Grade Science! This course is designed to introduce students to foundational concepts across Earth science, life science, and physical science. Through hands-on investigation, scientific inquiry, modeling, and collaborative experiments, students will learn how to observe the world around them, formulate testable questions, and draw evidence-based conclusions.

?Learning Objectives

?By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• ?Apply the Scientific Method & Engineering Design: Formulate testable hypotheses, design controlled experiments, collect data, and build models to solve practical problems.
• ?Understand Earth & Space Systems: Analyze weather patterns, the water cycle, Earth's climate drivers, and the scale and properties of our solar system.
• ?Explore Cellular & Biological Systems: Identify structure and function in living organisms, from basic cell structure to complex body systems.
• ?Investigate Matter & Energy Transfer: Differentiate between states of matter, model thermal energy transfers, and explain how energy flows through biological and physical systems.
• ?Utilize Evidence-Based Reasoning: Support scientific claims using data, graphs, and evidence gathered during laboratory investigations.

Required Materials

Composition notebook 

colored pencils

?Grading Scale

• • ?A: 90% – 100%
  • ?B: 80% – 89%
  • ?C: 70% – 79%
  • ?D: 60% – 69%
  • ?F: Below 60%

Extra Help:
Extra help is available before school at 7:45 a.m. or during the planning period by appointment. 

If students continually do not turn in their work, turn it in late, or to an unsatisfactory level, they may be required to attend “Focus Time” before school to stay caught up. If the student has be asked to attend and does not show up, they will be assigned lunch detention. After 5 lunch detentions, in school suspension will be administered. 

Learning is not optional and subpar work will not be accepted. I expect your best!

6^th Grade ELA

Grade Level: 6th

Course Description:
English Language Arts

Our course is designed to strengthen critical thinking, analytical reading, persuasive writing, and active listening. Through whole-class novels, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction texts, students will learn to analyze complex texts, list textual evidence effectively, and express their ideas clearly through written and spoken media.

?Learning Objectives

?By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• ?Determine Theme & Central Idea: Identify central themes or main ideas in fiction and non-fiction and analyze their development over the course of a text.
• ?Master the Writing Process: Write clear, coherent argumentative, informative/explanatory, and narrative essays utilizing drafting, revising, and editing stages.
• ?Expand Vocabulary & Grammar: Analyze words using Greek and Latin roots, context clues, and apply proper conventions of Standard English grammar and usage.
• ?Engage in Collaborative Discussion: Prepare for and participate effectively in structured academic conversations and presentations.

Classroom Expectations & Core Policies

1. ?Be Respectful: Listen actively when others are speaking, treat classmates with kindness, and respect classroom materials.
2. ?Be Prepared: Arrive on time with your required materials, completed assignments, and a ready-to-learn attitude.
3. ?Be Engaged: Participate in class discussions, group activities, and ask questions when you need clarification.
4. ?Academic Integrity: All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism or unauthorized copying will result in a zero and a parent contact.

?Required Materials

?Please bring the following materials for class

• composition notebook
• pencils

?Grading Scale 

?Grading Scale

• ?A: 90% – 100%
• ?B: 80% – 89%
• ?C: 70% – 79%
• ?D: 60% – 69%
• ?F: Below 60%

Assignments:
Students will have daily journal entries that will be checked on Fridays, chapter worksheets, test, quarterly book reports, and online assignments including No Red Ink. 

Extra Help:
Extra help is available before school at 7:45 a.m. or during the planning period by appointment. If students continually do not turn in their work, turn it in late, or to an unsatisfactory level, they may be required to attend “Focus Time” before school to stay caught up. If the student has be asked to attend and does not show up, they will be assigned lunch detention. After 5 lunch detentions, in school suspension will be administered. 

Learning is not optional and subpar work will not be accepted. I expect your best!

[Course Name]

Grade Level: [Grade or grade range]

Course Description:
[Write two or three sentences explaining the main topics students will study, the skills they will develop, and the general purpose of the course.]

Supplies:
[Enter a short supply list or link to the complete supply list.]

Course Syllabus:
[View the course syllabus]

Curriculum & Student Logins:
Links to Google Classroom, CodeHS, McGraw Hill, or other approved curriculum and student-login pages.

Assignments:
Assignments, due dates, and course materials are posted in [Google Classroom, CodeHS, McGraw Hill, or other platform]. Students should begin in Google Classroom and use the links provided there.

Extra Help:
[Enter available help time, such as before school at 7:45 a.m., during the planning period by appointment, or instructions for contacting the teacher.]

[Course Name]

Grade Level: [Grade or grade range]

Course Description:
[Write two or three sentences explaining the main topics students will study, the skills they will develop, and the general purpose of the course.]

Supplies:
[Enter a short supply list or link to the complete supply list.]

Course Syllabus:
[View the course syllabus]

Curriculum & Student Logins:
Links to Google Classroom, CodeHS, McGraw Hill, or other approved curriculum and student-login pages.

Assignments:
Assignments, due dates, and course materials are posted in [Google Classroom, CodeHS, McGraw Hill, or other platform]. Students should begin in Google Classroom and use the links provided there.

Extra Help:
[Enter available help time, such as before school at 7:45 a.m., during the planning period by appointment, or instructions for contacting the teacher.]

^7th Grade ELA

Grade Level: 7th

Course Description:
English Language Arts

Our course is designed to strengthen critical thinking, analytical reading, persuasive writing, and active listening. Through whole-class novels, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction texts, students will learn to analyze complex texts, list textual evidence effectively, and express their ideas clearly through written and spoken media.

?Learning Objectives

?By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• ?Determine Theme & Central Idea: Identify central themes or main ideas in fiction and non-fiction and analyze their development over the course of a text.
• ?Master the Writing Process: Write clear, coherent argumentative, informative/explanatory, and narrative essays utilizing drafting, revising, and editing stages.
• ?Expand Vocabulary & Grammar: Analyze words using Greek and Latin roots, context clues, and apply proper conventions of Standard English grammar and usage.
• ?Engage in Collaborative Discussion: Prepare for and participate effectively in structured academic conversations and presentations.

Classroom Expectations & Core Policies

1. ?Be Respectful: Listen actively when others are speaking, treat classmates with kindness, and respect classroom materials.
2. ?Be Prepared: Arrive on time with your required materials, completed assignments, and a ready-to-learn attitude.
3. ?Be Engaged: Participate in class discussions, group activities, and ask questions when you need clarification.
4. ?Academic Integrity: All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism or unauthorized copying will result in a zero and a parent contact.

?Required Materials

?Please bring the following materials for class

• composition notebook
• pencils

?Grading Scale 

?Grading Scale

• ?A: 90% – 100%
• ?B: 80% – 89%
• ?C: 70% – 79%
• ?D: 60% – 69%
• ?F: Below 60%

Assignments:
Students will have daily journal entries that will be checked on Fridays, chapter worksheets, test, quarterly book reports, and online assignments including No Red Ink. 

Extra Help:
Extra help is available before school at 7:45 a.m. or during the planning period by appointment. 

If students continually do not turn in their work, turn it in late, or to an unsatisfactory level, they may be required to attend “Focus Time” before school to stay caught up. If the student has be asked to attend and does not show up, they will be assigned lunch detention. After 5 lunch detentions, in school suspension will be administered. 

Learning is not optional and subpar work will not be accepted. I expect your best!