Mr. Ward Room 207

 Las Vegas native  Attended High Eldorado  Middle Del H. Robison  Born in Globe, AZ  Attended college at UNLV (Bachelor’s and Master’s)  Bachelor’s: English Literature  Master’s: School Administration  Eighth year in the District  Four years at Liberty  Four years at Silverado 

 Students in advanced courses are expected to:  think critically and analyze, synthesize and manipulate knowledge  develop successful study skills  budget time effectively and efficiently and commit to a daily, academic action plan  engage in scholarly research and employ technology as a tool of research and communication  extend advanced content area vocabulary

 utilize community, university and industry as resources when applicable  maintain subject-specific portfolios/notebooks when applicable  commit to this agreement supporting Advanced courses, Pre-AP Program and their expectations  complete competition level projects and use higher-level skills when appropriate

 To Kill a Mockingbird  Julius Caesar  Things Fall Apart  Brave New World  A Separate Peace  There will be many other readings that we will focus on throughout the year that will help to enrich our “anchor texts”.  For example, speeches, editorials, poetry, etc.

 Uses SAT words to prepare them for testing.  Root words are utilized to aid in comprehension.  Grammar in context  Vocabulary for comprehension.  oxford.com/vocabulary/vocabularywork shop.cfm oxford.com/vocabulary/vocabularywork shop.cfm

 Mastering 20 basic sentence patterns  Covers every effective way to write simple, compound, and complex sentences.  Mini-lessons on improving style by varying syntax.  Example essays and sentences from various well-known writers will be analyzed through the course of study.

 This unit entails a structured, organized, and logical method for struggling writers.  The same method can then be transformed into sophisticated weaving and syntactical techniques.  All essays will be written using the Jane Schaffer writing unit.  This will prepare students for not only the writing proficiency, but it will also prepare them for writing Advanced Placement prompts.

 Applied Practice publishes supplemental, educational curriculum workbooks that enable teachers to integrate student preparation for standardized tests.  These workbooks enrich instruction in class, and assist students with both reading proficiencies and Advanced Placement examinations.  We will work on timed writings as well which will also mimic those found on the Advanced Placement test.

 All Liberty High School/CCSD policies will be followed in our classroom.  No portable CD players or radios of any kind will be allowed in the classroom.  Cell phones will not be permitted to be out of the student’s book bag or pocket during class  Instruction and class activities begin when the tardy bell rings and end when the dismissal bell rings. Avoid “packing up” before class ends.  Students are to remain in class the entire period. Passes will be given only for legitimate and necessary situations.

 Students are expected to actively participate in all class activities.  Class Rules :  -No sleeping.  -The 3 R’s READINESS - be prepared for class! RESPECT - for other students’ right to learn, for my right to teach, and for property belonging to others. RESPONSIBILITY - for your own actions and decisions!

 All major assignments will be submitted using Turnitin.com  This is a website that checks for plagiarism.  Plagiarism, the use of another’s ideas or words without properly crediting you source is unethical, academically dishonest, and illegal.  If a student is found guilty of plagiarism it will result in a loss of points for the applicable assignment and a “U” for the quarter.

 Make up work is available to students upon their return to class.  Make up work will not be discussed once class has begun and the day’s activities are underway.  The best time to come and see me for make up work is after school, so I may devote as much time as I need to catch you up.  One class is an hour and 22 minutes; therefore, it is tough to give make up assignments when only given the time before or after class. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any and all work.