Welcome to Sophomore English! Ms. Chloe Prochaska - Mustang High School - B209 prochaskac@mustangps.org Course Description Required Materials I know I might be biased, but I personally think English is THE best. In this course, students will be expected to actively engage in a curriculum that is aligned with the state standards. Students will read great works of literature, learn the fundamentals of research-based writing, and improve their vocabulary, grammar, writing, and literary analysis skills. Wow, my heart is beating fast just thinking about it. What a great year we have ahead of us! For your work in this classroom, you will need: -2 composition notebooks -1 folder with brads (preferably plastic) -1 writing utensil (pen or pencil) -1 library book of your choice Academic Dishonesty Grading Cheating (on tests, assignments, essays, etc.) will result in a zero upon first the offense. Further offenses may result in disciplinary action and an F in the course. Grades in this class are determined on your performance in two different categories. As shown in the chart below, daily work/homework are worth 40% of each student’s grade. While tests/quizzes are worth 60%. Late Work Students will receive 50% of points earned for late work within one day of the initial due date. Students will receive 0% credit for late work after two days. I will not accept late work starting second semester. Tardy Policy Students are tardy if they are not in their seat, ready to go, when the bell finishes ringing. If they are tardy, they must sign the tardy folder. Tardy students lose daily participation points. Phones/Music A minimum of two grades will be taken per week. Daily work, research prep, mini projects, and homework will equal 40% of the overall grade. All tests, major projects, quizzes, and the final research paper make up the remaining 60%. All grades will be posted on the Power School website. A 90-100% B 80-89% C 70-79% D 60-69% F 59% and below Students are not allowed to use personal electronics (cell phones, iPods, etc.) in class, unless I have given them specific permission. Students who do not comply with the phone policy will be asked to put their phone on my desk or visit the office. Attendance Free-Read-Fridays It is extremely important that students attend class. If a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to get the missing classwork and make-up the assignments. Hanging at the front of my classroom, there is a folder that will have ALL assignments for the semester. Assignments will be added to this folder each day. Students can and should check the white board calendar, and pick up their missing assignments from the folder. Makeup tests will be given on the assigned day, TBD. Every Friday this year, we will read for 20-30 minutes at the beginning or end of class. Students will have the choice to pick a book from the library, home, or from my personal classroom library. Reading for pleasure fosters a love for literature. As I always say, “You don’t hate reading, you just haven’t found the right book yet!”

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS DAILY PROCEDURES You will come into class, and be seated before the bell rings.  If you are not in your seat when the bell rings, you will be counted tardy, and will sign the tardy log. Three tardies = one detention. The bell signifies the beginning of class. When the bell rings, you will stop talking. After I explain what we will do for the day, you will begin composition time.  Composition time will consist of daily writing prompts, interactive activities with your notebook, etc. There is no talking during this time. This is silent composition time. We will have composition time for 8-10 minutes every single day, unless I say otherwise. This means you must have a composition notebook, and writing utensil, every day. After composition time, our daily learning/discussing/lecturing/reading/note-taking/etc. will take place. I will facilitate and communicate our activities clearly. As always, the bell doesn’t dismiss you, I dismiss you. BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS My rules are simple: 1. You are not allowed to do anything that prevents me from teaching or other students from learning.  Luckily, all this means is that you must: Respect yourself Respect your peers Respect your teacher 2. At the bell: be in your seat, stop talking 3. Phone is always put away unless I have given specific permission 4. No foul or offensive language 5. No food (drinks are fine, but they must have a lid) 6. Have high expectations for yourself DISCIPLINARY ACTION First offense: verbal warning Second offense: detention Third offense: call home and/or office

Restroom Pass Ms. Prochaska’s Class Syllabus Sign Here Cut Here Parent and student acknowledgement form Class Rules: 1. You are not allowed to do anything that prevents me from teaching or other students from learning. 2. At the bell: be in your seat, stop talking. 3. Phone is always put away unless I have given specific permission. 4. No foul or offensive language 5. No food (drinks are fine, but they must have a lid). 6. Have high expectations for yourself. Initial Here Student Guardian _________ _________ I have read and I understand what is expected of me/my child in this course. _________ _________ I understand what plagiarism is, and am aware of the consequences. _________ _________ I understand the restroom pass policy. _________ _________ I understand that cell phones are not to be used during class time. (Parents/Guardians: Do not expect a text/call back from your child during class time) In the case of an emergency, notify your child and immediately call the school – (405) 376-2404 Student Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________ Student Signature: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Name: _______________________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________________________________________________ Sign Here Cut Here Restroom Pass   Name:____________________________ This pass provides students with 6 in-class restroom visits per semester. Students are expected to keep this pass all semester long and use their time wisely. Unused boxes will be redeemed for 5 bonus points each at the end of the semester.