Freshman English: 2009-2010

Ms. Elliot elliote@loswego.k12.or.us

Room 207:  Preps:  A4 & B3

Additional Help Sessions:  M - F 7:00 a.m.         ; T & Th until 3:30 p.m.

 

INTRODUCTION:                                               

Welcome to your freshman year of high school!  This is a year full of change and growth.  Whether you arrive nervous or excited, it most certainly will be fun yet challenging, but we’ll be in it together.  I look forward to a rewarding and successful year for us all.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This year, we will study short stories, poetry, drama, and novels that will focus on the themes of maturation, diversity, and the development of compassion, empathy, and respect for others.  This course integrates the study of literature, grammar, composition, and vocabulary.  Specifically, you will further develop skills in:

 

·         Reading – developing a critical eye, comprehension, and interpretation

·         Writing – writing as a process and modes of expression with emphasis on

        expository, imaginative, and narrative

·         Listening – active, accurate, and critical listening

·         Speaking – class discussion, presenting arguments, and delivery (voice, body language, etc.)

·         Thinking – logical, critical, and creative

·         Study skills – organization and time management

 

GOALS:

1.       Understand and appreciate literature as it helps us understand human choices and resultant consequences.

2.       Develop compassion, empathy, and respect for characters in literature and for human beings.

3.       Understand and use the writing process.

4.       Communicate appropriately in both written and oral assignments, recognizing varying audiences and applying necessary conventions.

5.       Understand and use the five-paragraph essay format for formal papers.

6.       Use and expand base of literary terminology.

7.       Recognize and understand figurative language.

8.       Participate in group discussions, classroom activities, and assignments.

9.       Become more organized and responsible for daily work, long-range assignments, assessments, and completing make-up work.

 

UNITS OF STUDY:  Tentative order and schedule of progress

1.  Short Stories/Elements of Fiction        6 weeks            5. Poetry                                   3 weeks           

2.  Imaginative/Narrative writing              2 weeks            6. Night                                     5 weeks

3.  To Kill a Mockingbird                          6 weeks            7. Romeo & Juliet + essay           8 weeks

4.  Expository writing                              2 weeks                        8. Cyrano de Bergerac                4 weeks

MATERIALS:

All texts checked out to you are your responsibility.  They should be returned to the library at the end of each semester (after exams) or you will earn fines. In addition, provide the following materials specifically for English:

·         A Notebook (preferably 3-ring) and paper you can easily organize and get assignments in and out of efficiently.

·         Pens/pencils and at least one or two colored pens & highlighter

·         Assignment notebook (daily planner), electronic organizer, or other organizer

·         Homework assignment and text (or handout)

 

Bring all of these materials to class on a daily basis.

 

                Materials check (5 pts.):                                                

 

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:

RESPECT – That’s a KEY word for me!

·         for/toward others – including classmates, guests, subs, and me (your teacher)

·         for property – take care of your things and your things only

·         for self – do your best; accept consequences of your actions

 

Your success in this class will be greatly enhanced IF you are conscientious about the following guidelines:

·         Conduct yourself in a civilized manner

·         Come to class on time and ready to learn

·         Do not disrupt others’ learning

·         Turn in all work and do so on time

 

Should you choose to act out or follow your own agenda, there will be consequences for your actions.  They are as follows:

 

ZERO TOLERANCE = Immediate referral/administrative intervention

·         ANY physical violence

·         ANY threatening remarks

·         ANY racial/ethnic slurs or sexual harassment

 

DISRUPTING THE LEARNING PROCESS or similar offense = “Consequence Ladder”

·         talking out of turn/bothering your neighbor

·         chronic requests to visit bathroom/health room/locker

·         chronic excuses for missing homework deadlines or incomplete homework

·         food/drink in class (other than water)—1 warning, then referral

“Consequence Ladder” = 1st offense = verbal warning

                                      2nd offense = separation from problem

  3rd offense = discipline referral & removal from class

 

PLAGIARISM = masking others’ work as your own.  This is a serious offense.  Not only will the first offense result in a zero on the assignment, you will earn a referral, a phone call home, and you will lose my respect and trust.  Consequences escalate for 2nd+ violation. Examples:

Ÿ     Copying homework

Ÿ     Using research material without proper citation

Ÿ     “Borrowing” portions or full essays or other written material from another

 

CELL PHONES/MUSIC IN CLASS:  None. Period. If I see/hear, it goes to Mr. Lovelin and is available to pick up from him in no less than 24 hours.

 

IN ADDITION, ALL SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS WILL BE ENFORCED.  

 

ATTENDANCE:                                                  

Attendance is crucial to your success!  Because of our block schedule, every day missed is equivalent to two regular school days.  Besides making up missed assignments when you are absent, missing a class does not allow you to be part of the discussion or lecture that day which cannot be made up.

                                                           

Absences:  It is your responsibility to initiate arrangements for and completion of make-up work.

·         E-mail me elliote@loswego.k12.or.us or see me for assignments or to arrange a make-up quiz or test during study hall, before or after school.

·         If a quiz or test is NOT made up within a week, it will revert to a ZERO.  This is your responsibility!

·         In general, you will receive one day to make up an assignment for each excused absence; see late work policy.

·         If you were present on a day a test/quiz/essay was assigned, the original due date will hold.

·         Talk to a classmate to help fill-in information missed.

·         Pre-arranged absences:  see me and pick up work before you leave.  Work due upon return.

·         Work may not be made up for unexcused absences.

 

Tardies:  Be on time! 

3rd tardy =  verbal warning                                                          4th tardy = referral

                                                           

 

BE SURE YOU READ AND UNDERSTAND THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY!

 

HOMEWORK & LATE WORK POLICY:  See separate Hand-out

 

ASSESSMENTS & EVALUATION:

Types:  homework, quizzes, tests, papers, portfolios, projects, notebooks, participation

General Assignment Weights:

Homework: 10 pts., Quizzes: 20 pts., Tests/Essays/Projects: 50+ pts.

 

90 – 100+ = A- - A+:   Exceeds expectations, consistent high quality work, outstanding participation

80 – 89 = B- - B+:  Above average work, complete and good quality, consistent participation

70 – 79 = C- - C+:  Average work, developing skills/understanding, should participate actively

60 – 69 = D- - D+:  Poor quality work, need to apply effort, seek additional help, not participating

Below (F):  Enough Said

 

NG = No Grade; INC = incomplete—finish and resubmit w/late penalty; See Me = after class to schedule a help session or discuss work further.