Welcome English 10 Mr. Blaugrund

Who is Mr. Blaugrund? Home town: Albuquerque, NM Education: USC (B.A. Film Studies), Pepperdine (M.A. Education) Wife: Daryl (works on South Park) Two Children: Riley (girl) and Bryce (boy) Teaching Experience: West Ranch: 5 years. Canyon: 2 years. I’m thrilled to be back at WRHS Hobbies: Amusement parks, old movies, and poker I love teaching and preparing teenagers for the rest of their lives.

What will the class cover? This Semester Elie Wiesel: Night (memoir) Non-fiction units Various: Research, short stories, poetry, multi-media, art, music, and film Written and Oral Formative and Summative Assessments: Informative, Narrative and Argumentative Grammar: Weekly prep for CAHSEE

What is the daily routine? Roll is taken as soon as the tardy bell sounds. Students copy agenda & homework into the agenda section of their notebooks. I will go over the agenda for the day. Complete SSR (when applicable)/classwork End of class questions Reminder of homework

What is SSR/outside reading? You will be required to read non-curriculum books during this semester. You may choose ANY book as long as your parent/guardian is ok with your choice. Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) will be every day for at least ten minutes. You will be held accountable for having your book in-class every day and keeping a log of pages read. You may, from time to time, be given assignments/answer questions about the book(s) you are reading.

How is your grade calculated? Student grades will be computed on a weighted scale with 40% of the grade representing the practice of skills in the form of daily journals, class work, homework and quizzes. 60% of the grade represents mastery of skills taught in the form of tests, essays, performance tasks and oral presentations. Formative Assessment 40% Summative Assessment 60% The student’s grade will be calculated at the end of each five week period, and a progress report or report card will be issued. Appropriate interventions will be provided for any student still working toward mastery of content standards. The following scale is used to determine student grades: A = 90-100% C = 70-79% F = 0-59% B = 80-89% D = 60-69% Class – work Homework Quizzes Tests Written Performance Tasks Journals and class work Regular homework Grammar, vocabulary, skills based Midterm 10% Final 10% major essays and writing based performance tasks 20% 10% 25%

How much homework will you have? Homework is given regularly in this class; however, I realize you have other classes and will do my best to keep your homework limited and relevant. This means…if I assign homework, it must be important and not just busy work. Homework will be extensions of activities done in class as practice and review of lessons taught. It’s also a big part of your grade.

Do you accept late work? Late work IS accepted, however…. It must be submitted during the same unit in which it was assignment. Otherwise, you’re out of luck. Late assignments will receive at most half credit. It may be less, depending on quality. Making up work is your responsibility. Make sure you check my website to get any assignments you may have missed.

What to do in case of an absence: For excused absences, you will have the same number of days of your absence to make-up work for full credit. Sick on Monday? Bring work on Wednesday. Don’t wait until you’re back to find out about missing work. Your work will be late if you do this. Check my website! You have no excuses for not knowing what we did when you missed class! Check the internet at home or with a friend before asking me what you missed. When turning in make-up work for excused absences, you must write “ABSENT” in bold across the top of one’s paper.

What can you do if you have a failing grade? You may retake any test or quiz (except for the Midterm and Final) during a mutually agreed upon time. The “retake” score will be averaged with the first score. The higher grade will be placed in the grade book. You may fix and improve class work and homework until you master the assignment. You will be provided the opportunity to re-write essays to improve your scores.

What is the policy on electronics? Cell phone and iPods WILL NOT be permitted during class time. You must turn cell phones OFF before entering into the classroom and store them in your backpack or pocket. I am also happy to hold your phone for you if you feel you may be tempted. Anyone who chooses to answer or make a call or text will be warned. After that the cell phone will be confiscated. If you find extra time between class activities, you may read but not listen to music or play on your phone.

Bathroom Policy You are entitled to use the restroom during class, however… There are no restroom passes in the first 20 minutes and last 20 minutes of class. Take care of it before you get here or wait until you leave. Do not interrupt me or a class discussion to ask to use the restroom. The answer will always be no. Students who use the bathroom repeatedly or for unusually long periods of time will get a call home to check on their digestive health.

How to succeed in this class: Come to class on time, and prepared to learn each day. Complete homework ON TIME Identify a friend who can be contacted for extra help or if you are absent from class. Use a student planner or a calendar to keep track of assignments. Take advantage of extra help. I pretty much sit here during lunch. Take responsibility for your learning. Check Infinite Campus and my website often for missing assignments, and turn those in promptly. Have a great attitude!

How will Mr. Blaugrund help me succeed in this class? I will be prepared to teach each day The content standards, daily objectives, and agenda will be written on the white board daily. I will teach the district-approved curriculum. I will be available if you need extra help. I will motivate and encourage students to do their best work. I will maintain open lines of communication between students and their families.

Personal responsibility AND NOW A WORD ABOUT … Quid pro quo Personal responsibility

Website: www.blaugrundenglish.wikispaces.com   Mr. Blaugrund’s Contact Information Phone: (661) 222-1220 Email: jblaugrund@hartdistrict.org Website: www.blaugrundenglish.wikispaces.com