Welcome to Grade 8 English Language Arts With Ms. Ricker
Welcome Class of 2025!
I am so excited to be on this journey with you! For the next ten months, we'll be diving into a variety of texts through our literary units, including:
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (novel unit)
- Animal Farm by George Orwell (novel unit)
- Twelfth Night by Shakespeare (drama unit)
- What Matters? (multi-text mini unit)
- A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (drama unit) *Corresponds with a writing unit
- Decisions, Decisions (multi-text mini unit)
- Rite of Passage (multi-text mini unit)
- Independent reading activities once per marking period (the first one - literary fiction of any genre - will be assigned September 16, 2024. Students should read about 1/4 of the book each week, for four weeks. This will leave students one final week to complete the project. Final project due date: Friday, October 25th
- Book club selection
- And more!
Please note: Whole class novel lists will be available on individual classroom pages and will be updated, as needed.
In writing, we will be focusing on the three major types of writing plus a full research paper:
- Narrative (MP1)
- Explanatory (MP2)
- Argumentative (MP3)
- Research (MP4)
In addition, we will continue building vocabulary skills throughout the year and will be working on various independent skills through the district provided online programs.
It will be a busy year. Be sure you are prepared for school each day. If you find yourself falling behind or just not quite understanding something, reach out sooner rather than later.
***The best way to reach me outside of school hours is via my school email. I generally answer emails by the end of the next school day.***
Check the class needs list below. I do not require a lot in class but there are a couple necessary items. Please make sure you are prepared for class each day.
I look forward to meeting each and every one of you and spending the next ten months exploring the written word together!
Class Needs
- A positive attitude
- A charged Chromebook which must be in its district provided case
- Wired headphones (not Bluetooth) ~ Please have these available every day!
- Pen and/or pencil (Most materials will be delivered online, but occasionally you will need one of these old fashioned contraptions!)
- Post-it Notes for marking passages in novels
- A folder for loose papers (Alternatively, you can use a section of a binder you share with another class.)
- Access to a planner - either the school provided planner OR the digital calendar and "To Do" list available on Google Classroom.
- Composition notebook - This will be used for independent reading project responses throughout the year. This should be a 100-page count composition notebook and may be either wide or college ruled, as the student prefers. This will be kept in class in between project assignments.
- Optional: We complete many creative presentations that may require project materials throughout the year. Students will have access to markers, project posters, construction paper, etc. in class, but many students often prefer their own materials.
About Ms. Ricker
After growing up in Southern California, I attended California State University, Sacramento where I graduated with my Bachelor's Degree in English ('97) before moving to New Jersey in 1999. I attended Georgian Court College (now GCU) where I earned my Master's in Education ('02). I have been working as an 8th grade language arts teacher in Marlboro since 2001.
When I'm not in the classroom, grading papers, or planning lessons, I have two sons who keep me on my toes. My oldest is a senior at MAST while my youngest is just starting his journey at MAST. They both stay busy with travel and high school hockey respectively throughout the year, as well as fitting in community service, their commitment to the JROTC unit at MAST, and finding time to hang out with friends while applying themselves to their studies.
What does this mean for me? Driving. A whole lot of driving! My summer was spent walking the county beaches during the Monmouth County Parks Beach Sweeps as my boys worked on community service hours, driving the boys to and from throughout the summer months as they spent time with friends, doing the college tours with my oldest, and shuffling schedules to make sure both boys attended their on-ice and off-ice training. Thankfully my Kindle remains full of books to keep me occupied!
Most weekends during the school year, you'll find me at an ice rink somewhere on the east coast cheering on my sons, and in between, continuing the shuffle to and from practice! Thankfully I am an avid fan of hockey!
Access Google Classroom assignments through the links provided.
Be sure you have selected the correct class period to ensure access to the most accurate information.
Please feel free to reach me via email at [email protected]
