English 1-2 Syllabus

Teacher: Mr. Barsness

Contacts:
lmbarsne @guhsdaz.org
623-435-6300
Room: 104

        Welcome to English 1-2!  This syllabus outlines the learning goals for this course as well as policies and procedures that you will be expected to follow.  If you have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to contact me early in the year.

Academic Outcomes:
Writing: The writing focuses for this course includes the following: the personal narrative, business letter, persuasive writing, literary analysis, literary responses, and research.  Further, the district assesses English 1-2 students on the five-paragraph explanatory essay.  ENG 1-2 students are tested on this essay February 27th and 28th.  You will also learn and review basic skills of writing which includes grammar instruction, reviewing the parts of speech, pre-writing, and editing techniques.

Reading: You will read a variety of written works over the course of the year including novels, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction.  Among others, students will have the choice of the novels Speak, Buried Onions, Son of the Mob, Shabanu, and Tears of a Tiger to read for an interactive literature study that involves group work at times. Furthermore, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet will be covered.  In addition to the readings assigned in class, you will be reading one book per quarter of your choice.  You are to bring this book with you to class every day.

Classroom Rules:
1) Respect yourself, your classmates, the school, and me.
2) No language of hate.
3) Come to class prepared.
4) Cell-phones, CD-players, or other electronic devices are not allowed out on campus during school hours. If an electronic devise is out, it will be taken from the student and given to the office, and they will assign the student a detention or further consequences (see handbook).
5) School rules apply here, including dress code and the sweeps policy.

Consequences if You Choose to Break a Rule:
1) Conference with me.
2) One hour detention.
3) Parent/guardian conference and one hour detention.
4) Discipline referral to the Dean of Students.

If you misbehave when a substitute is here, it is an automatic three-hour detention.

Grading Scale:
1 - (90 and up)  2 – (80 to 89%)  3 – (70 to 79%)  4 – (60 to 69%)  5 (failing) – (59% and below)
Grades are based on completion and scores of homework (25%), participation/in-class notebook (15%), and tests/quizzes, papers, and final projects (60%).  Late homework will be accepted up to one week after it is due for half credit.  If you plagiarize (cheat/copy) you will receive no credit for the assignment and will not have the opportunity to turn it in late for half-credit. 

A Note on Absences:
If you miss class and it is excused, you will able to make up the class work you missed for full credit if completed the day after you return.  If you have a multi-day absence, discuss with me options for completing missing work.

Remember the sweeps policy: a tardy is the same as an absence.  If you show up late without a pass, you will report to the sweeps room for the hour.  If an assignment is due on a day you miss because of sweeps, it is still due on that day by 2:40 or it is late.

Materials:
You will need to have a folder, a notebook, loose-leaf paper, pens/pencils, plus any necessary books.  Your binder will also be a required method of organization.  You must bring these materials to class everyday.  Homework completed on ragged-edged paper will not be accepted.

At Apollo we have the “Reading Counts” program in which all students will be required to have a choice book with them at all times.  In this class, you will be given time in class to read, and will be held accountable for reading one choice book per quarter.  Each student will take a multiple choice test on the book and complete a book project.

Procedures:
Class begins when the bell rings.  When you enter the classroom, quietly begin the posted assignment (bell work).  At the end of class, you will remain in your seat until the bell rings.  Finally, you get two bathroom passes per semester, and must have your ID to leave class (school policy) so take care of your business before class!

To Parents/Guardians:
Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time during the school year if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.  E-mail is most convenient for me.  I believe that parent-teacher contact is a powerful tool to help your child succeed in school.  I also encourage you to ask to see your child’s homework, which they will have almost everyday except on Fridays.  Thank you for your support!