Course Description
This year we will mainly focus on improving your writing and reading skills, which will in turn, improve your critical thinking, vocabulary, cultural literacy, and research skills. In our studies, we will cover literature from various periods, especially the contemporary period. This literature will range from novels, short stories, essays, and biographies to poetry and plays. This course is writing heavily for the first semester to better prepare you for college courses.
We will work on vocabulary as to assist you with reading comprehension and SAT and ACT scores. Depending on what we’re working on, the words may be SAT and ACT words or vocabulary out of our reading.
Major Course Topics by Marking Period:
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Marking Period 1
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Marking Period 3
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Marking Period 2
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Marking Period 4
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Text(s)/Resources:
*Some titles may be added/deleted as the year progresses*
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Savvas MyPerspectives
In addition, we will utilize various essays, poems, plays, novels, informational texts, and some visual arts via handouts, soft-cover novels and plays, electronic texts, and media. We will be doing a great deal of writing and discussing to go along with the reading, so it is imperative that you be prepared for each class. This means you must be on time and ready to learn. In addition, you must have your notebook and a writing instrument EVERY CLASS period.
Assessments
With respect to diverse learners, a variety of assessments will be incorporated each marking period. It is understood that students will have the opportunity to review their graded assessments either in class or after class and ask questions for clarification. A combination of quizzes and tests/projects will assess students’ understanding of the material.
Standards
Please find the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards are the following website: http://bit.ly/SLZyms
Grading and Department Policies
Tests/Projects 50%
Quizzes 25%
Homework 25%
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Late or missing homework receives no credit except excused absences.
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Late work loses 10% per day except for excused absences.
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All work will be produced according to MLA formatting criteria.
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Pupils are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. A pupil found guilty ofacademic dishonesty may be subjected to a full range of penalties including, but not limited to, reprimand and loss of credit for all of the work that is plagiarized.
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Be sure to read and sign the attached plagiarism policy.
Required Materials:
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Folder
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Lined paper (binder or spiral notebook) and a marble notebook
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Highlighters and pen
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Post-It Notes
Classroom Rules
Rules are necessary in order to create an effective learning environment. Rules establish boundaries and standards of what type of behavior is acceptable and unacceptable. There are few rules in this classroom; however, I expect you to follow them. The rules for this class are as follows:
1. Respect the people, furnishings, and equipment in this classroom.
2. Always come to class prepared. Assignments must be printed and/or turned in electronically
prior to arriving to class.
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The uniform is strictly enforced. Being in your uniform is part of being prepared!
3. Follow instructions the first time they are given.
4. Arrive to class on time.
5. Students are expected to follow the Academic Honesty Guidelines and School Rules as
outlined in the Student Handbook.
Disciplinary Plan
Consequences are the results of the choices we make. In life, there are positive consequences and negative consequences. The consequences for breaking the rules of the class are as follows:
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First Offense: Warning
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Second Offense: Detention and parent is contacted
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Third Offense: School Administration involvement
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All students will have a fresh start on Monday.
Parents will also receive e-mails home for positive classroom behavior and participation.
Classroom Procedures
Procedures inform us how certain tasks are to be done. There must be procedures in place in order for a learning environment to function efficiently.
Procedure for Entering the Classroom
1. Enter the classroom quietly.
2. Pick up any handouts or required materials.
3. Go to your assigned seat and begin working on the Do Now, which is listed on the board.
Procedures for Exiting the Classroom
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When you are told to prepare for dismissal, begin cleaning up your workspace.
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Make sure you take everything with you and leave your workspace as neat and as organized as when you found it.
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Exit the classroom in an orderly and disciplined manner.
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Check the homework website at home.
Extra Help
Extra help is available with Mrs. Deutsch before school. Please let Mrs. Deutsch know you will be coming in for extra help verbally or via email before the extra help session. If you are unable to see Mrs. Deutsch before school for extra help, speak to her privately so that she can work out a time to meet with you and provide extra help.
***Plagiarism on any project, paper, or test will result in REDOING THE ENTIRE ASSIGNMENT (OR ANOTHER ASSIGNMENT AS NECESSARY) WITH A STARTING GRADE OF NO MORE THAN 50% OF THE POINTS AVAILABLE. This is for both the student who copied and the student who provided the work to copy.
***Plagiarism on any classwork or homework will result in a ZERO on the assignment for both the student copying and the student who provided the work to copy.
***All work will be checked for plagiarism and AI generated material**
Email Communications:
When sending an email, please make sure that you do the following:
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Put in the subject which class this is
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Use a salutation (Yo Teacher is not appropriate)
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Put your name and your inquiry in the body of the email.
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Sign it at the bottom.
Unless it is on the weekend, please allow for a 24-hour time frame for my response. If you email me on the weekend, I will reply to you Monday morning by 8am.
To acknowledge that the student and parent/guardian have read and understood the above letter detailing the contents and requirements of the course, please complete the form found at the following web address: http://tinyurl.com/npwqxhm