WELCOME TO GRADE 8 LANGUAGE ARTS
AT HORACE MANN SCHOOL!
2025-2026
Mrs. Kristen Mulroy
e-mail: [email protected]
I’m Mrs. Mulroy, and I am thrilled to kick off another amazing school year at HMS—my 16th year in the Home of the Tigers! This year promises to be full of learning, growth, challenges, and excitement, and I can’t wait to dive in with your students. It is truly an honor and a privilege to be your child’s teacher, and I look forward to making this year one to remember!
End of Trimster 1 leading into Trimester 2: In our current unit, 8th graders will explore powerful stories of courage, resilience, and the human spirit as we read The Diary of Anne Frank by Goodrich and Hackett and dive into a novel study of Elie Wiesel’s Night. Students will focus on literary elements such as characterization, theme, and setting, while practicing analysis writing to support their interpretations with evidence. Through narrative exploration, they will deepen their understanding of perspective, voice, and the impact of historical events on individual lives. This unit combines critical thinking, empathy, and strong writing skills to help students engage meaningfully with these unforgettable texts.
Noteworthy Information
1. Classroom Procedures:
- Respect others, materials, and the classroom learning experience
- Be on time for school
- Come prepared for class and complete ALL assignments
- Follow directions at all times
- Engage in accountable talk during classroom lessons
- No gum chewing & candy
- No electronics of any kind; iPods, cell phones (will be collected daily), etc.
- If you are absent, please demonstrate responsibility and check in with me to make up any missed assignments (classwork, homework, quizzes and tests)
2. Useful Websites
Bayonne Board of Education:
Perdue University Writing Lab:
GRADING POLICY
We are operating in Trimesters!
All major Assessments are announced with
ample notice to ensure proper preparation.
Quizzes may be announced or unannounced.
Major Assessments 60%
(Tests, projects, writing assignments & long term assignments)
Quizzes 20%
Classwork 10%
Homework 10%