Course Syllabus
Welcome
We are pleased that you selected this course to fulfill your unique educational needs. You are now a member of the Mizzou Academy global student body.
Course Description
Our Grade 8 Language Arts course supports you as you develop as a reader, writer, thinker, speaker, and listener. This course takes a thematic approach to genre studies, giving you opportunities and skills to analyze narratives, poetry, essay, nonfiction writing, and visuals. In the second semester, you also will study a novel.
Our Grade 8 Language Arts course asks how we can honor our identity as we become leaders in our communities. You will use close reading strategies to understand, enjoy, and respond to literature; develop creative and critical thinking skills; experiment with multimedia and art activities; and use the writing process to write creative and analytical pieces.
Required Materials
There are no printed materials required for this course. You will need a computer to access links within the course to various readings.
Some readings in the course are available from CommonLit.org. A select few of those resources require you to create an account and login with a class code. The Mizzou Academy class code is provided in the Resources module. Materials not on CommonLit do not require a code since access is provided via various direct links on Canvas. The chart below serves as a comprehensive list of these readings, but also as a convenient quick reference for you throughout the course:
|
EIGHTH GRADE - BOOKS AND READINGS - SEMESTER 1 |
|
|
LESSON |
TITLE |
|
1B |
Teacher Tamer (Avi) |
|
1C |
They’re Made Out of Meat (Terry Bisson) |
|
2B |
The Scholarship Jacket (Marta Salinas) |
|
2C |
Fish Cheeks (Amy Tan) |
|
2 Assignment |
The Third Wish (Joan Aiken) |
|
3B |
Tuesday of the Other June (Norma Fox Mazer) |
|
3C |
The Worst Birthday (J.K. Rowling) |
|
4B |
Autumntime (Anthony Lentini) |
|
4C |
Ruthless (William DeMile) |
|
5B |
After Twenty Years by William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) |
|
6B |
What My Father Said (Alan King) |
|
6B |
Presence (Hayes Davis) |
|
6B |
International Fruit of Welcome (Kim Roberts) |
|
6B |
There Will Come Soft Rains (Sara Teasdale) |
|
6B |
Dreams (Langston Hughes) |
|
6B |
Catch a Little Rhyme (Eve Merriam-POL) |
|
6B |
The Art Room (Shara McCallum-POL) |
|
7B |
Power of Active Listening (Celeste Davis-Carr and Aaron) |
|
7B |
If (Rudyard Kipling) |
|
7C |
My Puppy Punched Me in the Eye (Kenn Nisbett) |
|
7C |
Bleezer’s Ice Cream (Jack Prelutsky) |
|
7D |
First Pet (Emma Bartley) |
|
8B |
Caged Bird (Maya Angelou-POL) |
|
8B |
Identity (Julio Noboa) |
|
8B |
To a Daughter Leaving Home (Linda Pastan) |
|
8B |
Where the Sidewalk Ends (Shel Silverstein) |
|
8C |
Oranges (Gary Soto) |
|
9C |
TED TALK: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (Angela Duckworth) |
|
FINAL EXAM PREP |
Etiquette (Hayes Davis) |
Technical Requirements
The most up-to-date requirements can be found here:
- Computer Requirements
- Browser Requirements
- Proctoring Requirements
- Microphone (external or internal)
- Webcam
Additional requirements for the course are below:
- audio and video recording capabilities (e.g. smartphone, camera)
Accessibility
If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.
Exams
Midterm Exam
The Midterm Exam is over Lessons 1-5. Your exam is 40 questions (2 points each) and you will choose the one best answer.
This exam is proctored. Your proctor or teacher will enter the access code for you to begin your exam. When you begin, you will have 2 hours.
During the exam you are NOT allowed to navigate away from this exam page or use any other resources to assist you in the exam unless otherwise specified on this exam page.
You will also have a writing assignment (100 points) that will be explained in the appropriate module.
Final Exam
The Final Exam is over Lessons 6-10. Your exam is 40 questions (2 points each) and you will choose the one best answer.
This exam is proctored. Your proctor or teacher will enter the access code for you to begin your exam. When you begin, you will have 2 hours.
During the exam you are NOT allowed to navigate away from this exam page or use any other resources to assist you in the exam unless otherwise specified on this exam page.*
You will also have an essay and video assignment (100 points) that will be explained in the appropriate module.
Note: Before taking this exam, complete the study guide, located in the course modules. Also, refer to Skill Group 10 in our Learning Library.
Grades
Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on assignments and exams.
| Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A | 90–100 |
| B | 80–89 |
| C | 70–79 |
| D | 60–69 |
| F | 0–59 |
After completing the course, unofficial transcripts will be available in the Tiger Portal. See this page for information on requesting official transcripts.
Canvas and Technical Support
Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.
- Access Canvas through the Tiger Portal https://mizzouacademy.missouri.edu/
- For assistance with Canvas, passwords, or other technical issues, submit a ticket by selecting Help from the Global Navigation menu on the left in Canvas. Additional information is provided in the following Canvas Guide: How do I get help with Canvas as a student?
- For questions about enrollment, access to courses, exam proctoring, or billing, contact our Support Services Team at (855) 256-4975 or mizzouacademy@missouri.edu.