• Course Syllabi 

    8th Grade English Language Arts

    Course Objectives:

    1. Students meet or exceed the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts as measured through the CAASPP exam and in-class assessments.  
    2. Students demonstrate growth on the NWEA MAP Reading Assessment from the Fall to Spring Assessments. 
    3. Students achieve proficiency in the annual District Writing Assessment. 
    4. Students meet their annual reading goal for Accelerated Reader or Reading Plus.

    Curriculum:

    The adopted curriculum for this class is StudySync.  Additional curriculum is provided through ERWC, Expository Reading and Writing Course, as developed by Cal State University.  The annual units of study include:

    • Suspense! (StudySync)
    • When is Lying Okay? (ERWC)
    • In Time of War (StudySync)
    • The Cost of Convenience (modified ERWC)
    • Novel Study (StudySync)

    The units of study may be adjusted by Mr. Celestino to respond to the needs of the students.

    Additional Programs:

    In order to meet the course objectives, assignments will be completed in the following supplemental programs outside the core, adopted curriculum:

    • Accelerated Reader
    • Reading Plus
    • Lexia
    • NoRedInk
    • MYAccess

    Daily Supplies:

    To fully engage in all lessons and activities, students must arrive to class each day with their expected supplies as delineated within the MacArthur Student Handbook.  Those include the two-inch or larger binder, Agenda, no fewer than 50 sheets of lined paper, a ruler, and a pencil pouch with 2 working pencils, 2 blue or black ball-point pens, a red pen, a set of colored pencils, scissors, and a glue stick.  

    Aside from the binder, students need their textbooks, i.e. StudySync consumable texts or ERWC text packets, and their Accelerated Reader book.

     

    Journalism

    Course Objectives:

    1. Students become acting journalists as contributing members to the campus publication, The Tiger's Tale.  
    2. Student publications meet the standards of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle rubric.

    Curriculum:

    The adopted journalism curriculum is EXp3, first edition.  The units of study include, but are not limited to:

    • Introduction to Media
    • Basics of Photography
    • News/Copy Writing
    • News Gathering
    • Features and Editorials
    • Design
    • Journalistic Integrity
    • Advertising
    • Sensationalized Journalism

    The units of study may be adjusted by Mr. Celestino to respond to the needs of the students.

    Additional Programs:

    In order to meet the course objectives, assignments may be completed in the following supplemental programs outside the core, adopted curriculum:

    • macarthurtigerstale.net

    Daily Supplies:

    To fully engage in all lessons and activities, students must arrive to class each day with their expected supplies as delineated within the MacArthur Student Handbook.  Those include the three-inch, three-ring binder, Agenda, no fewer than 50 sheets of lined paper, a ruler, and a pencil pouch with 2 working pencils, 2 blue or black ball-point pens, a red pen, a set of colored pencils, scissors, and a glue stick.  

    Aside from the binder, students need to bring their Accelerated Reader book.