English 8

Mrs. Katie Ristow

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Our theme for the school year is Joshua 1: 9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” This class is all about taking thoughts and putting them on paper to convey a message using conviction and evidence. Students will become confident in writing persuasive, informative, and descriptive essays, all while mastering the art of the thesis statement. They will bring their words to life with figurative language, engaging classroom discussion, and healthy debate. Literature books will be enjoyed through creative projects, discussion, and expressive writing, and we will wrap up our entire year with a mini- literature fair where you students can share a favorite book with the class.

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REQUIRED BOOKS​​:

• IEW Elegant Essay student workbook (NEW, UNUSED COPIES ONLY)​

• The Fallacy Detective by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn (new or unused copy; workbook edition)

• Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

• Kingdom's Dawn by Chuck Black (any edition; used or new copy; students will need a physical copy for classroom use in October, November)

• The Best/Worst Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (any edition; new or used copy okay; students will need a physical copy for use in the classroom)

• Words on Fire by Jennifer Nielsen (any edition; used or new copy okay; students will need a physical copy for use in the classroom in January and February)

• Book of Choice: For the months of March and April, students will read and analyze a book of their own choosing. They will finish the school year with a project and presentation of that book with the class in a mini-literature book fair as part of their final. Specific parameters will be provided in class, and Mrs. Ristow can provide a list of ideas upon request

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

• 1.5-inch or larger binder with dividers (​Note: This binder can be shared with another subject; however, students will need a large section dedicated to English class since the binder and notes will be used for classroom activities, tests, and quizzes; the binder will be assembled on the first day of class.)

• Lined writing paper or a notebook for taking notes (Spiral notebooks are not allowed at EMERGE -see Student Handbook)

• Writing pens/pencils

• Highlighters​

• a Google Docs or Word account

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MATERIALS FEE

• $5 per semester, payable with tuition