Freshman Classroom Procedures Everything you need to know to be successful in Pre-AP English I

Philosophy I believe all students can learn and behave appropriately. In order to guarantee all students in my classroom the excellent learning climate each deserves, I am utilizing the following classroom procedures.

General Rule #1 Be prompt. Citizenship points will be deducted for unexcused tardies.

General Rule #2 Be prepared with appropriate materials daily. All work is due at the beginning of class. Note: I do not accept late work.

General Rule #3 Show respect and courtesy at all times in both speech and actions, and follow directions the first time they are given. Therefore, you should always be a positive influence on the learning process.

General Rule #4 Be attentive and inquisitive. Citizenship points will be deducted for sleeping in class.

General Rule #5 Follow all school rules, board policies, English department guidelines, and classroom procedures.

Consequences In the event that a minor discipline infraction should occur, I will 1.Conference with the student 2.Lower citizenship points 3.Contact a parent 4.Confer with an administrator Major infractions will result in an immediate office referral.

Grading Scale 1. Daily assignments = 1-2 grade 2. Quizzes/Short writings = 1-2 grades 3. In-class essays = 2-4 grades 4. Test/Projects/Full essays = 4 grades Note: I reserve the right to change the weight of an assignment and will give you prior notice if doing so.

Heading Each assignment should have an appropriate MLA heading (as indicated below) and a title. An incomplete heading will result in point deductions from the assignment grade. Full Name Teacher’s name Pre-AP English I - ___ # month 2010

Make-up Work On the block schedule and especially in the AP program, attendance is extremely important. However, if a student is absent, he/she will only need to make up quizzes, tests, and writing assignments; daily assignments will be omitted. It is the student's responsibility to secure the make-up assignment(s) the day of his/her return and to schedule an appointment as necessary.

Long-term Assignments Long-term assignments, projects, or compositions are due on the date assigned regardless of attendance.

School-Related Absence School-related absences require that the student give advance notice, pick up the assignment, and turn in the assignment on the day he/she returns to class.

Late Work Late work will only be accepted on major assignments with deducted points. No late work will be accepted for daily work, so it is important to be sure that work is turned in a timely manner. Remember, projects and compositions are due on the date assigned regardless of attendance.

Tutoring One key to success involves communication between the student and teacher. I encourage each student to consult with me immediately if he/she has a question or concern. Tutoring is available during lunches by appointment.

Extra Credit Very few extra credit opportunities are offered in Pre-AP English I. Each student needs to spend his/her time diligently working on the regular class assignments to do well in this class. Also note that extra credit is not offered on an individual basis.

Progress Report Every student will receive a school-issued progress report at the beginning of the fourth week of each six weeks grading period.

Suggested Supplies Needed Blue black pen Notebook paper Red pen Colored pencils Green pen Binder w/ dividers #2 pencil Colored highlighters Kleenex Small post it notes Mythology by Edith Hamilton Note: all assignments must be completed in blue or black ink unless otherwise indicated; points will be deducted from assignments which do not comply.

Contact Information Conference Period8:00 – 9:00 Phone Number Website TonjiLewis/tabid/4500/Default.aspx TonjiLewis/tabid/4500/Default.aspx

AISD Drop Policy Students are given the first twelve weeks of the school year to determine if they can handle the course requirements in a PreAP/AP class; students should remain in the course for the first six weeks but may drop anytime thereafter through week twelvee. Students should receive the green drop sheet from the teacher with the teacher's signature before seeing the counselor to drop the class.

Ethics Policy In order to prepare independent thinkers, we expect our students to maintain the highest degree of academic ethics. To do so, we are working to eliminate academic fraud.

Academic Fraud Definition taking someone else’s assignment or portion of an assignment and submitting it as your own submitting material written by someone else or rephrasing the ideas of another without giving the author’s name or source supporting academic fraud by providing your work to others, whether you believe it will be copied or not using any form of memory aid during tests or quizzes

Academic Fraud Definition continued giving or receiving answers during test or quizzes. It is your responsibility to secure your papers so other student will not have the opportunity to copy from you or the temptation. accessing materials for the purpose of enhancing one’s academic status using summaries/commentaries (Cliffs Notes, Spark Notes, etc,) in lieu of reading the assigned materials

Academic and Citizenship Repercussions First offense – The assignment receives a zero, and the citizenship grade is lowered at teacher’s discretion. Note: A citizenship grade of a C will eliminate qualification for or continued membership in National Honor Society or other organizations or courses. Parent contact will be made at teacher discretion.

Academic and Citizenship Repercussions Second offense – The assignment receives a zero. The citizenship grade will be lowered an additional letter grade. Parent will be contacted.

Academic and Citizenship Repercussions Third offense – The assignment receives a zero, and the citizenship grade will be an F. There will be a conference with student parent, counselor, and assistant principal for removal from the AP class

Final Note I appreciate the cooperation of both students and parents. I want my students to be successful, now and in the future, and look forward to a great year.