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English I/English II Pre-AP Syllabus 2011-2012

Ms. Alana Young Room #120 Email: [email protected] Phone Number: (682) 231-3183 Office Hours: 8-8:25 a.m. M,T,W,Th,F and 2:05-3:35 p.m. on B days. Class website: http://msyoungdhj.weebly.com I. Purpose:

Why this course? Because writing matters. Because reading matters. As a literate person, you can peruse a newspaper article about your favorite football team, escape to the fictional world of Harry Potter, and explain exactly what had Robert Frost so wound up about the road not taken. You can write a touching poem that makes your boyfriend or girlfriend giddy, eloquently convince your parents to lend you the car keys, or vent your frustrations in a journal. Perhaps most importantly, advanced writing and reading skills open the doors to higher education. The goal of this class is to produce insightful readers, critical viewers, and compelling writers who are prepared to pursue a college education. As well as preparing students academically, this course is meant to create more proactive, responsible, and independent individuals.

II. Objectives:
Prepare all English I/English II students with the knowledge and tools to take them to the next level academically with English literature. Develop higher-level critical analysis skills in reading and writing for a successful future in upper-level courses and college. 2 Binder o Please label the following sections using colored paper provided: Notes, In-class work, Quizzes Loose-leaf paper Pens/pencils 5-subject spiral notebook

III. Supplies:

IV.

Classroom Culture

A. Expectations

2 The Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. Set Yourself Up for Success: Come to class prepared and on time. Give 100% effort: Dont ask me, Is this enough? Ask yourself, Is this my best? Be proactive: Anticipating challenges and meeting them head-on. Resolve problems on your own if you can. Follow all rules and procedures: This includes such things like making sure that no electronic devices are visible and disposing of any food or drink other than water. Operate with a generosity of spirit: Assume the best intentions from others. Respect others right to their opinions, regardless of your own personal convictions or beliefs. B. Consequences Consequences are in place for those who decide to deprive themselves or others of learning time with breaking any class rules. Consequences are cumulative over the week. Stage 1 Student receives verbal warning Stage 2 Student receives first mark, must complete class Accountability form Stage 3 Student receives second mark, mandatory conference with 9th grade administrative team. Stage 4 Student receives third mark; phone call home Stage 5 Referral to principal

Note: Students who do not complete and submit their class accountability forms will immediately proceed to next phase.

C. Rewards Positive consequences include Classroom Culture Celebrations (one possible every 6 weeks), the Rockin Raffle for individuals earning tickets throughout the unit, and the satisfaction of a job well done. D. Classroom jobs Students may hold a position of value within the classroom. At the beginning of each semester, applications will be accepted for the classroom positions picked by the instructor. Students may apply for re-election in their current position at the beginning of 2nd semester.

V. Grading:
Course grades will be broken into five components: Weekly blog, In-Class Work, Unit Assessments/Quizzes, Journaling, and Projects. Everything BUT unit assessments are weighted equally. A. Explanation of Weekly Blog Posts:

3 Every Sunday afternoon by 5 p.m. a question or reading will be posted in the Blog section of the class website http://msyoungdhj.weebly.com. Students may review the blog topic, and during the week, class time will be allocated for students to comment on the blog post. B. Explanation of Quizzes and Unit Assessments Quizzes: Students will take a combination of pop quizzes and scheduled quizzes over vocabulary and course material periodically throughout each unit. Quizzes will be worth no more than 10 pts. Unit Assessments: Students will take a scheduled unit assessment at the end of every 6-week unit. Unit assessments are the largest portion of the course grade. C. Explanation of Participation and Journaling assignments Participation: Students are expected to participate daily in class activities, discussions, and independent reading. Additionally, students are required to read a minimum of 20 minutes independently per night from their chosen independent reading book. Journaling: Every week, students will submit a minimum of one journal entry about their independent reading done outside of class. Each journal entry must be a MINIMUM of one page single-spaced written text on the students independent reading book. Journal entries are to be submitted on loose-leaf paper fastened in their journal portfolios given on the 1st day of class. Each journal entry must list the book and pages read for the independent reading of the week. Each journal entry must contain analysis of the chapters read, discussing why and how events happened, rather than just what happened. During the week, one Do Now or Closure will be used to give students a head start on their independent reading journaling. Students who do not complete the journaling assignment will have to spend time outside of class to complete it.

D. Explanation of Special Grading Policies Late Work Policy: Journal entries and other homework will be accepted one day late, with a 10% reduction on the maximum score. The second day the assignment is late students will receive a maximum of 80%, and the 3rd day, a maximum of 70%. After day three, the assignment will be recorded as a zero, and the student will be required to attend Wild Wednesdays to complete missing work. Retests: All students are eligible for retests of unit assessments or arranged quizzes (NOT pop quizzes) within one week of the failed exam/quiz. Students interested in retesting must immediately arrange a time with the instructor to re-take the exam. Missed Quizzes: If a student misses a quiz, test, or in-class work for an excused absence, the FWISD policy of 1 day per day missed to make up the assignment will be followed. Extra Credit Opportunities: Students can receive extra credit by submitting current event reflections (5 pts. each for up to 10 pts per 6-week period). Additionally, submitting a blog post

4 question or article for reflection can earn you 2 pts extra credit. Extra credit opportunities may help boost students grades, but cannot make up for a consistent lack of effort. In other words, do not attempt to slack throughout the semester and hope last minute extra credit will earn you an A. Tardies/Absences: Tardies and absences cost valuable work time that YOU and we cannot afford to lose. Students are expected to be in their seats with their materials ready for class. The schoolwide tardy policy is as follows:

Tardy 1st 2nd 3rd

Consequence Student-Teacher conference Parent-Teacher conference Infraction, Board Policy FO