Back to School Night 2010-2011

Erinn Demskis edemskis@crsd Erinn Demskis edemskis@crsd.org (215) 944-2662 (voice mail only, there is no direct line to the classroom) Access my Academic English website directly from the StarGazers webpage! Access my Honors English website directly from the StarGazers webpage!

I came to Council Rock in 2001.

BA from in German Language & Literature,& Criminal Justice (double –major), with a minor in English

MA from in 2000 in Foreign Language Pedagogy (Education)

My family Lukas (5½) Lorelei (2½)

Our English class focus: Self Determination who we are as individuals who we are as part of the community Self Reflection who you are as a person how you work as a student

What we’ll be reading...

Academic English Assorted poetry and short stories

Honors English Assorted poetry and short stories

What we’ll be writing...

formal -responsive essays -research paper -letters informal -reflective pieces -journals

What we’ll be researching...

Holocaust & WW II related topics Final product will be a 5 paragraph paper (minimum) that follows MLA format

* Typically, but there will be exceptions! Vocabulary generated by our readings weekly assignments of 10-20 words, typically* due on Monday Vocabulary Quiz typically* on a Friday * Typically, but there will be exceptions!

Grammar will be taught in conjunction with our readings, and in response to students’ writing and personal needs

Discussion Large and small groups Preparation is key to effective discussion!

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Late Work for every day that an assignment is late, one letter grade will be subtracted from your overall grade on the assignment. Computer malfunctions (including printer issues) are not acceptable excuses for lateness. It is your responsibility to ensure that your work is in on time. Do not bring your work to school on a disk assuming you will be able to print it out.

Absence Call a reliable classmate from your section of English. Check the website for important news and updates. Check with me upon returning to school to schedule a time for make-up work. In general, make-up work should be handed in within three (3) days of your return to school. If you will be missing school due to vacation or a trip, it is your responsibility to obtain your work ahead of time. Be prepared with your work on the day of your return.

Clinic Wednesdays during R/A (come get a pass prior to HR/RA) Thursday afternoons Why Clinic? provide extra help in understanding concepts presented in class. give you the opportunity to make up missed work. answer questions you have regarding test grades, etc. discuss and go over your writing with you.

Preparation & Participation Come to class each day prepared and ready to be an active participant in all activities. Bring your pens, pencils, paper and binder with you. Bring any necessary books, including a book which you are reading for enjoyment.

Assessment Policy Tests & Writings: 50% Quizzes: 25% Preparation & Participation:

☼ Attitude The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our Attitudes. – Charles Swindoll ☼