Hello and Welcome 2009 students, and parents/guardians!Welcome to the new school year. I expect that this semester will be filled with excitement, creativity, and learning as we work together to build a base of knowledge that will benefit you throughout your life. I look forward to this experience and I hope you do too.
The following information is a summary of my classroom expectations and school policies (many of which can also be found in your student handbook).
Before we go any further, I would like everyone to keep in mind these five things:
1)
TRY YOUR BEST, AND YOU WILL SUCCEED IN THIS CLASS!
2) IT’S OKAY TO MAKE MISTAKES AS LONG AS SOMETHING IS LEARNED FROM
THOSE MISTAKES.
3)
DON’T BE AFRAID TO COME TO ME WITH PROBLEMS, QUESTIONS, OR CONCERNS AT ANY TIME.4) CLASSROOM RULES ARE ESTABLISHED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES AND I EXPECT
THEY WILL BE FOLLOWED.
5) DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!
Now, let’s begin:
Relating to Grades:
· ALWAYS bring your textbook, notebook, and a pen to class. You are young adults and must be responsible for your learning. Bringing your things each and every time is an important step in being the best student you can be.
· You will be evaluated on pop quizzes, writing assignments, vocabulary building work and tests, literature tests, group activities, oral presentations, and most importantly portfolios. As you can see there is a lot of work in this class, but we will go over everything thoroughly and you will have plenty of notice when work is due.
· You are responsible for make-up work after an absence. You are required to find out what you have missed and make the appropriate arrangements to complete that work. As you can see the emphasis is placed on you! I will give you a monthly assignment calendar so you will “know” ahead of time what is expected of you. That means if you miss one day I will still expect that you are caught up with homework and reading assignments. Extended absences will be treated differently and we’ll discuss that if or when it occurs.
· Late work in this class is anything turned in after I’ve collected the assignment-even if work is turned in later that period. For every day that an assignment is late you will receive a 10% deduction in the grade. NO assignment will be accepted after THREE days! Homework is imperative!! Within the block schedule, homework becomes the most important part of your classroom success. Remember in the real world, you aren’t allowed to turn work in late.
· Cheating (including plagiarism) will not be tolerated either by me personally, the English department, or the school. There are strict guidelines relating to cheating and plagiarism and a student who is caught breaking these rules will be turned into the office, receive a detention for the first offence, and receive a zero for the assignment. I have had questions about this policy before asking how I know if a student "really cheated?" To answer this question, I take care to look on-line for plagiarized work, to compare student works to one another, and I keep a very close eye on every student in my room as I administer exams. This is not just my policy, but it is the policy of both the English department as well as the school.
Relating to Leaving Class:
· You will not be permitted to leave the room at will because it interrupts learning. That means bathroom breaks, locker trips, and forgotten materials that you must “go and get” will not be permitted often. You will be required to “sign out” when you do leave this room so that a record can be kept of how much class time you miss.
Relating to Tardiness and Absences:
· Be in your seat when the bell rings. There will often be assignments on the board when you enter the room- I would suggest that you begin them immediately upon entering.
· School policy dictates that each tardy/late be assigned a detention and that after five detentions a discipline report must be filed with the vice principal.
Relating to Behavior:
RESPECT OTHERS FIRST AND FOREMOST
This rule is the most important rule in both the classroom as well as life. To create a healthy and productive classroom environment we need to respect each other and I take this rule very seriously. To go along with this rule, I have included some of my basic classroom expectations (that also represent what is expected by the school.)
· All behavior (i.e. excessive talking, throwing papers, walking around the
room, etc.) that interferes with or is distracting to those around you is not
acceptable.
-Writing notes in class isn’t appropriate. If you write notes in
class I may choose to share them with your classmates.
· Hats and sunglasses are not to be worn in class or into the building.
· Food and/or drinks are not to be consumed during class. It is both messy and
distracting to other students. I will not eat or drink in front of you and I
expect the same courtesy.
· Language that is derogatory towards another person based on race, religion, gender,
background, or anything else will not be tolerated. Also, foul language, inappropriate
comments, or inappropriate drawings or hand gestures will not be tolerated. If you use the
"F" word anywhere in the building you will immediately be sent to ISS for the rest of
the day.
· Pay attention in class at all times.
· Respect others property! That includes books, desks, and anything that does not belong to
you!
Classroom Activities and Goals:
We will reach NY State standards by enjoying and participating in a number of classroom activities. They will include:
1) Actively improve vocabulary and spelling skills with assignments and quizzes.
2) Read, understand, and analyze books, short stories, poetry, essays, and
magazine/newspaper articles.
3) Present oral and written reports on literature and authors read and studied.
4) Design creative projects related to literature read in class.
5) Write short stories, poetry, essays, and other creative pieces.
6) Give prepared and organized speeches.
7) Read and perform plays.
The novels and plays that can (and most likely will) be read throughout the semester include:
**Romeo and Juliet
The Hobbit
**To Kill a Mockingbird
**Speak
The Lord of the Flies
**Various short stories
**- Mandatory reading
Please note that all of these books have been approved by the school board and can be found on several influential teen reading lists. By signing this paper you have approved of your child reading all aforementioned books.
(As we read these novels movie clips will also be shown, including the more modern versions of Romeo and Juliet (with Leonardo DeCaprio)
Supplies for Class:
1) Black and/or blue pen.
2) English notebook. Notebook must contain paper that can be easily torn out and the folders
(used for English class ONLY) must contain pockets as well as a section that secures
paper. I would prefer a notebook that can be used for English class only as it will
occasionally be collected.
3) Highlighters (including yellow, red, and green). It would also be handy to have the
following items: glue stick, markers (an 8 pack will do) or colored pencils, and scissors that
will be small and appropriate for school use.
All supplies will be used.
Thank-you again for all of your support! I am looking forward to a great year!
