Freshman English  Course Guidelines.









Dear Students and Parents:

        To make this year enjoyable for everyone, students are expected to have respect for themselves and others.  This year is a starting point for all of us that will lead us into the year 2003 on a positive note.

Student responsibilities:

1.  Do the best you can.
2.  Help others do the best they can.
3.  Be on time and prepared for classroom work (pens, pencils, notebooks, etc.).
4.  Turn in assigned work on due dates or before.
5.  Be an active listener and learner.

If a student chooses to break a rule (in any single class period):

1st consequence- a simple, respectful reminder.
2nd consequence- points deducted from citizenship grade.
3rd consequence- ejection from class, referral to office, -50 additional points.
If behavior does not change after above, then parents will be contacted
Severe disruptions will result in immediate referral to the office.

Expected Student Learning Results:

Students will:
Demonstrate the qualities of effective and conscientious workers.
Demonstrate and appreciate a variety of expressive forms such as drama, dance, music, and visual arts.
Demonstrate commitment to community and global responsibility.
Appreciate and experience active and healthy lives.
Demonstrate ability to apply successfully complex thinking strategies.
Apply and value lifelong learning.
Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively.
Demonstrate success in mastering the basic skills through application and integration of these skills in
    a variety of settings.
Demonstrate mutual respect and tolerance, respectfully handle differences of opinion, and value others and themselves.

Course of Study:

Texts: Arrangement in Literature
          Career Choices/ Opportunities
          Elements of Writing
Novels: The Outsiders (also movie)
        Night
        Farewell to Manzanar
        The Martian Chronicles
Plays:  Romeo and Juliet (also movie)
          The Miracle Worker (also movie)

Homework Policy:

        Homework is the responsibility of each student, whether it be assigned by the students themselves or the teacher.  Homework is assigned daily by the teacher.  Reading and writing assignments will be given during the course of the year.  Student projects done individually and with others will also be expected to be completed outside of class.  Long-term projects might involve more time on any given day, depending on the students time management system.  Assignments turned in one day late will receive one full grade deduction,  Assignments turned in later than one day late will receive no more than half credit, with a possibility of zero credit if extremely late.  No extra credit work will be accepted unless All  previous assignments are turned in.
 

Grading Policy:

        Students will earn points for participation, effort, attendance, homework, notes, journal, class work, group projects, tests and quizzes. There is no set policy on extra credit. However, extra credit problems and projects may be available at the discretion of the instructor. Students who cheat or plagiarize work will receive a "0" for that assignment, project or test and no opportunity will be given to make up that work. At the conclusion of each quarter, all points will be totaled with some
assignments given more weight than others. Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

                            A-90% of possible points

                             B-80% of possible points

                            C-70% of possible points

                            D-60% of possible points

                            F-Less than 60% of possible points

        Students who have been absent due to illness or other legitimate reasons may make up class work by arrangement with the teacher. These arrangements must be made within one week following the absence. If a student knows he/she is going to be absent the student is responsible to find out about assignments prior to the absence. The work will due the day the student returns to school.

        Students are required to have pens, pencils, spiral notebook, two-inch three ring binder, and any other necessary materials. This will be used for Science as well as English. A three hole punch is
available for class handouts.