Welcome to Junior English! Lauren McNeil, D-10 University of California, Santa Barbara - B.A. in English with Honors, minor in Spanish - M.A.Ed. & teaching credential in English 1st year of motherhood - Super cute 11 month old son Declan! 10th year (double digits!) at FHS - Pleased and honored to be working with your students this year!

Curriculum Common Core/Standards-aligned Focus on American literature (so, sadly, no Shakespeare) - Aligned with U.S. History - Social, political, historical contexts - Themes characteristic of historical periods - Progress through the American literary movements (“Isms”) chronologically SAT/contextual vocabulary quizzes & SSR (Sustained, Silent Reading of self-selected, parent-approved books) on Fridays

Core & Planned Supplemental Texts Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible (1st semester core) F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby (2nd semester core) Tennessee Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire (possible supplemental) J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye (possible supplemental) Poems, short stories, non-fiction pieces, etc. from the Elements of Literature: Fifth Edition anthology textbook Recommended: own copies of texts for note-taking

English Department Common Agreements Standard grading scale: A=90% and above, B=80-89.9%, C =70-79.9%, D=60-69.9%, F=below 60% - No rounding up One day per excused absence to make up work No extra credit assignments No bell curve grading No points for non-academics Major pre-announced assignments (e.g. projects) accepted late To pass: submit all major writing assignments Standards-based, weighted grading system: - Listening, Speaking, & Participation=15% - Reading=35% - Writing=50%

More on Grading & Assessment Writing - Primary focus - Writing tools, essay structure, & critical thinking - Appropriate help that develops writing skills (students are encouraged to get free help from me!) - In addition to hard copy submissions, turnitin.com final draft electronic soft copy submissions Frequent participation - Tally of participation vs. average Q: online grades - Missing “red” assignments that are blank (not scored) in the grade book are excused or have yet to be entered and do not affect the overall grade - Zeroes in grade book until work made up for excused absences

Additional Policies Appointments for quiz/test make-ups upon the day of return from excused absence; make ups within one week’s time Major assignments due by pre-announced deadline even if excused absence Technological excuses are not acceptable for late work No credit for work missed due to unexcused absences No late work accepted - Exception: major pre-announced assignments 50% point deduction for each day late FHS policies/rules – including those regarding tardies & cuts, cell phones, academic integrity, & behavior – enforced

How You Can Help Time management (see website calendar) Excusing absences within 72 hours Assignment/grades review Quiz/test prep, e.g. flashcard practice Writing skills, e.g. proctor timed essays for practice Organization Student-teacher communication (for academic questions/concerns, student-teacher contact prior to parent-teacher contact; student support available by appointment) Wish list donations (greatly appreciated!)

Open Lines of Communication Email: lmcneil@pleasantonusd.net Phone: (925) 461-6600 ext. 5810 Website (calendar, notes, handouts, reading recommendations, suggested course materials, classroom wish list, etc.): http://www.pleasanton.k12.ca.us/fhsweb/mcneil/home.html - Accessible through FHS website Conferences by appointment - Office Hours 5th period Thank you for attending! I look forward to a great year with your student!