What are the primary goals for this year?
The primary goals for English 3-4 are for all students to be able to demonstrate reading and research strategies. Students will take the skills they learn in this class and apply them in the “real” and “everyday” world. By the end of the school year, all successful and serious students will be able to demonstrate grade-level performance in the following areas:
· Reading short stories/novel
· Writing a literary analysis
· Understanding conventions in grammar
· Journal writing
· Writing a five paragraph persuasive essay
· Business writing
· AIMS Review
· Poetry reading/writing
· Writing a personal narrative
What are the Behavior Expectations?
All students are expected to come prepared to class! ALL STUDENTS need to come to class with their school supplies (writing utensil-pen/pencil, paper, and folder/binder), homework and/or class work (this means bell work and book-in-a-bag too). Appropriate behavior is expected from everyone. Respect for one another is at the utmost importance in creating a safe and warm classroom environment, please come prepared to respect students and faculty. Please read and understand the Classroom Rules below:
1. Please respect yourself, others and property
2. Enter the classroom prepared to participate and learn
3. All school and district policies will be followed and enforced
4. Choose and use words that are appropriate
5. Exit the classroom when excused by the teacher
Additionally…
• Dress code will be enforced-please follow the school dress code
• No Electronic Devices (cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, cameras, etc) on Campus!
Electronic devices will be confiscated and school policies will be enforced
•All food and drinks must be finished before entering the classroom
• Grooming articles (makeup, combs, etc.) are NOT to be used in the classroom
•5 bathroom passes are given per semester----Please use them wisely! I will not give out additional passes!
•Student ID’s are needed in order to use a pass-per school policy!
•Classroom procedures need to be followed (see attached Classroom Procedures)
•Hate, profane or abuse language WILL NOT be tolerated – Please choose your words carefully!
Consequences for violation of the rules: (unless a very severe infraction occurs)
· Verbal warning
· Teacher-Student conference, 1 hr. detention and documentation to the Dean of Students
· Parent Contact, 3hr. detention and documentation to the Dean of Students
· Referral to Administrator
SWEEP will be enforced and students will not be allowed to enter the classroom after the bell rings. Students will be directed to go to sweep and will need to make up the class work missed during Learning Center on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 – 9:20.
Required Supplies:
· Lined paper
· 2” binder with 5 dividers
· Pen/Pencil (at all times)
How will I be graded?
Grades, grades and more grades! Grades will be weighed in the following categories:
Class Participation / Homework = 40%
Tests / Essays= 60%
Grades will be posted within a one week period after being received. Grades will also be posted weekly in a designated spot in the classroom. Please make a habit of seeing your grade and speaking to me if you have any questions or concerns. I request that students keep all their graded papers for the semester.
Grades will be determined from a combination of assessments (quizzes & tests), writing assignments, bellwork, and homework/class work. In addition, you will be required to complete a district performance based-assessment - PBA (Persuasive Paper). The PBA is worth a large amount of points and is mandatory. All students are expected to complete the assessment in order to receive credit. If a student refuses to complete the PBA, he/she will not receive credit for the semester. A citizenship grade will also be given based on the student’s ability to follow all school and classroom rules.
Grading Scale…
100 – 90 = 1/A
89 – 80 = 2/B
79 – 70 = 3/C
69 - 60 = 4/D
59 and below = 5/F
All assignments are to be turned in on the DUE DATE! Students will only earn partial credit for late assignments. Assignments past more than two weeks will not be accepted. If the assignment is not turned in during the accepted time period, the student will earn a zero.
What about Attendance?
Attendance is expected daily and students are expected to be in class on time. As per school policy, students will have three school days to make up any work they missed while they were gone. Exception: If the student knew about the assignment before they were absent, it is due the day they come back to school. Important: It is the student’s responsibility to find out from a buddy or me what they are missing.
When? Where? Why attend the Learning Centers?
Every Wednesday morning students can meet with their teachers for academic help (as well as after school). This is the time to work on anything related to the course. If necessary, Learning Center referrals will be given and students will be expected to show up on the assigned date. If a student fails to show up, he/she will be given a detention. I strongly encourage students to use this time. I will also be available for students in my classroom after school and if needed during lunch. Please make an effort to see me or speak to me so we can make arrangements if you need help.
I encourage all parents to contact me with any questions or concerns!
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