West St. John High School

 

Course: ELA                                                               Teacher: Dr. Paula T. Johnson (Dr. J.)

Term: 2023 - 2024                                                      Email: [email protected]

 

WSJH Mission Statement

One hundred percent of West St. John High students will be accepted into college or prepared for a technical career.

 

West St. John High School Believes:

1. Each member of our school community plays an integral part in making student success a certainty.

2. All students are provided the necessary resources and opportunities to become successful Collaborative Workers, Adaptable Problem Solvers, Critical Thinkers, Involved Citizens, Quality Producers, and Self-Guided Achievers.

3. That all students are immersed in vigorous, standards-based curricula that promote higher-level thinking skills.

4. That all students are capable of learning and as such, we educate the whole person providing students with the necessary support to achieve their fullest potential.

5. That we value diversity and promote tolerance and espouse understanding and compassion.

6. That the aesthetic value of our campus is an important part of student achievement.

 

Course Description: The Louisiana English language arts student standards were created by over one hundred Louisiana educators with input from thousands of parents and teachers from across the state. The new standards provide appropriate content for all grades, maintain high expectations, and create a logical connection of content across and within grades.

The goal for students in English language arts (ELA) is to:

*Read

*Understand complex, grade-level texts

*Express their understanding of those texts through writing and speaking.

 

Louisiana State Standards:

1. demonstrate independence in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language use;
2. build strong content knowledge through reading and writing;
3. adapt to the demands of various audiences, tasks, purposes, and subjects;
4. comprehend as well as critique;
5. cite specific evidence and evaluate others’ use of evidence;
6. use technology and digital media strategically and capably;
7. understand other perspectives and cultures.

 

Textbook(s) & Supplementary Materials Provided:

1. Learnzillion (Online Program)

2. Microsoft Teams (Class Group)

 

Materials Needed Every Day: (part of your grade)

• Notebook/Binder for daily notes
  • Course notebooks/binders/Composition Notebooks are collected twice a semester and represent 10% of your grade (see Grading Policy below). Date each page and keep all work (do not throw homework away) in designated folder/binder sections throughout the semester.

 

Homework: Students are expected to spend at least 30 minutes each day for this course doing homework, studying, reading, and/or reviewing materials. At least two homework assignments will be assigned Monday through Thursday, with additional assignments as needed. All homework is due at the beginning of the period. For absences, homework is due within 5 days of your return to receive full credit. Homework assignments are regularly posted on TEAMS.

 

Make-Up Work: It is YOUR responsibility to find out the missing homework assignments from the TEAMS or a classmate. Any late or incomplete assignments will receive a maximum of 50% credits. It is not the teacher’s responsibility to collect work from students who are truant in class.

 

Grading Policy:		Points Converted to Percentages:	Points Converted to Percentages (Honors
Homework	5 points	A = 92.5-100%	A = 100 – 90%
Classwork/Participation	25 points	B = 92.499 – 84.5%	B = 89 – 80 %
Quizzes	10 points	C = 84.499 – 74.5%	C = 79 – 70%
Tests	25points	D = 74.499 – 66.5%	D = 69%
Course Binder	25 points	F = 66.499% or below	F = 68 – 0%
Project points	Extra credit work provided
Final Exam	25   points

 

*Participation: We, at West St. John High School expect all our students to attend school regularly and arrive to all classes on time, ready to participate, learn and achieve. Participation consists of but is not limited to, arriving to class on time with all appropriate materials, ready to be a positive and productive member of the class. Class participation will contribute to 15% of the student’s total grade.

 

Rams Essential Behaviors:

Respect/Responsibility, Achievement, Motivation, and Success

 

Classroom Behavior Standards and Expectations:

1. Respect your teachers, classmates, and school. All forms of disrespect (including foul language) will not be tolerated.

2. Remain in your seat at all times, unless directed to move by a teacher.

3. Focus your attention on the topic directly related to class lectures/discussions.

 

Consequences of violation of class rules:

1st Offense:   Verbal warning

2nd Offense:  Student/teacher conference and detention

3rd Offense: A parent phone call and possible parent/teacher/student conference and detention. Note: If the violation is severe, the teacher reserves the right to immediately remove the student from class.