Welcome to 8th grade Advanced English!
IN-CLASS AND OUTSIDE READING SCHEDULE

IN-CLASS READING- these novels will require both in class and out of class reading time.  There will be class discussions, activities, quizzes and a test that goes along with each novel.
October 31- TEST on Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
November 21- TEST on Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
March 3 - TEST on Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
April 28- TEST  on Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths by 
 	Ingri D’Aulaire

OUTSIDE READING- these novels will be read outside the classroom.  There will not be class discussions on these books, just a test according to the following dates.
September 5- Test on And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie 
October 3- Project Due for Historical biography project due 
November 14- Test on Uglies by Scott Westerfield 
December 11- project due for Autobiography 
January 16- Test on Inkheart by Cornelia Funke  
February 24- Test on The Call of the Wild by Jack London  
March 27- Test on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland- Lewis Carroll   
April 30- Project Due for Contemporary biography 
Students will be instructed in class when to finish each book and when each test or project is to be taken or presented respectively.  Basically, students will read one book every three to four weeks.  Some class discussion may take place for the specific books listed above.  All biographies are on a first-come, first serve basis.  Only one student may do his or her report on a given person.   Mrs. Garrett will post claimed subjects on her website.  Time/day stamp will determine order.  Memoirs are not permitted.  “Historical” indicates the subject was (A) important to history and (B) died at least twenty years ago.  “Autobiography” means the subject wrote the book him or herself.  “Contemporary” means either (A) he or she is still alive or (B)  the subject died within the last twenty years.

Follow these directions for the written portion of the three biographies listed:
1.	Typing only.  Use a new sheet of paper for each of the four topics.
2.	 Use your own words. Copying and pasting from a website is plagiarism.
3.	Place your name in the upper right hand corner of each page.
4.	Place book’s title and author in upper left corner of first page.
5.	Please indicate on the top of the first page which category your book represents.
6.	Staple all pages together for one book.

Content of note cards:
1.	Character(s):  Give a general description of the person about whom the book has been written as well as important people involved in his/her life.
2.	Themes:  Explain some philosophies of life the book’s subject has learned or valued.
3.	Setting:  List important dates and places in the subject’s life.
4.	Plot:  Give a general synopsis of the subject’s life.