Back to School Night August 16, 2016 Leif Utler, English teacher Freedom High School Room D-203

About the teacher Graduated Patten University in Oakland in 2009 Married with two kids Been a full-time teacher since Fall 2010 Moved to Brentwood in 2013 Last taught at Black Diamond Middle School in Antioch Switched to Liberty Union because I wanted to teach high school and have the same school schedule as my kids Really happy with the students I have, the staff I work with, and the administration Will be teaching English 2 and English 4

Class Policies Really value parental involvement in student education Respect is my most important policy Positive reinforcement with only necessary negative consequences Late work will lose points, not accepted after 1 week (absences- communicate with me) Grades broken down: Participation- 15% Assignments- 55% Assessments- 30%

Class Policies (cont.) Post lesson plans online for students who were absent/tardy Plagiarism is an automatic zero with parent and administrative contact No food or drink besides water (to be adjusted) Devices only out when directed by teacher Students and parents with questions or comments can email me at utlerl@luhsd.net

Details by Class English 2 English 4 Springboard curriculum Focus on Informational texts and perfecting writing skills Four novels: I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Julius Caesar, Night, Things Fall Apart (or supplemental) Textbook focuses on Cultures (Unit One about cultural Identity) First major assessment due September 8: Essay on cultural identity Springboard curriculum Focus on critical thinking and college/career writing Four novels: Brave New World, Hamlet or Othello, Frankenstein, Pygmalion (or supplemental) Textbook focuses on Perspectives (Unit One about Multiple Perspectives) First major assessment due September 8: Photo essay on Argumentative Issue

Online tools Freedom teacher website- most information needed for class including lesson plans Remind- Text or email reminders of major class announcements Office 365- Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and class notebooks Aeries- grades, attendance, and class emails Class Dojo/Class craft- Student participation and behavior charted Clever/Springboard- Class textbook online Free rice- vocabulary practice that benefits third-world countries Kahoot- game-based classroom review

Final Thoughts Students need paper, pen or pencil, notebook (preferred), textbook, and class novel Class donations appreciated Kleenex, Hand Sanitizer, Paper towels, Index cards, Band aids, Dry Erase Markers Teacherspayteachers.com gift cards, Target gift cards Parents visiting class welcome, please let me know when Please email me whenever you have questions: utlerl@luhsd.net