1. Welcome to Junior English! Lauren McNeil, D-10  University of California, Santa Barbara - B.A. in English with Honors, minor in Spanish - M.A.Ed. & teaching credential in English  9 th year at FHS -Maternity leave - Pleased and honored to be working with your students this year!

2. Curriculum  Common Core/Standards-aligned  Focus on American literature (so, sadly, no Shakespeare) - Aligned with U.S. History - Social, political, historical contexts - Themes characteristic of historical periods - Progress through the American literary movements (“Isms”) chronologically  SAT/contextual vocabulary quizzes & SSR (Sustained, Silent Reading of self-selected, parent-approved books) on Fridays

3. Core & Planned Supplemental Texts  Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible (1 st semester core)  F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby (2 nd semester core)  Tennessee Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire (possible supplemental)  J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye (possible supplemental)  Poems, short stories, non-fiction pieces, etc. from the Elements of Literature: Fifth Edition anthology textbook  Recommended: own copies of texts for note-taking

4. Grading & Assessment  A=90% and above, B=80-89.9%, C =70-79.9%, D=60-69.9%, F=below 60% (no rounding up)  Standards-based, weighted grading system: - Listening, Speaking, & Participation=15% - Frequent participation - Reading=40% - Writing=45% - Primary focus: response to literature essays, SAT-style essays -Writing tools, essay structure, & critical thinking -Appropriate help that develops writing skills (students are encouraged to get free help from me!) - In addition to hard copy submissions, turnitin.com final draft electronic soft copy submissions - To pass: submit all major writing assignments  Q: online grades - Missing “red” assignments that are blank (not scored) in the gradebook are excused or have yet to be entered and do not affect the overall grade

5. Policies  One day per excused absence to make up work  Appointments for quiz/test make-ups upon the day of return from excused absence  Major assignments (e.g. essays & projects) due by pre-announced deadline even if excused absence  Technological excuses are not acceptable for late work  No credit for late work (except major writing assignments 50% point deduction for each day late)  No extra credit  FHS policies/rules – including those regarding tardies & cuts, cell phones, academic integrity, & behavior –enforced

6. How You Can Help  Time management (see website calendar)  Excusing absences  Assignment/grades review  Quiz/test prep, e.g. flashcard practice  Writing skills, e.g. practice essays  Organization  Student-teacher communication (for academic questions/concerns, student-teacher meeting prior to parent-teacher meeting; student support available by appointment)  Wish list donations (greatly appreciated!)

7. Open Lines of Communication  Email: lmcneil@pleasantonusd.net Phone: (925) 461-6600 ext. 5810  Website (calendar, notes, handouts, reading recommendations, suggested course materials, classroom wish list, etc.) - accessible through FHS website  Conferences by appointment - Office Hours 3 rd period Thank you for attending! I look forward to a great year with your student!