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
1st year of motherhood
- Super cute 11 month old son Declan!
10th year (double digits!) at FHS
- 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 (1st semester core)
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby (2nd 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. English Department Common Agreements
Standard grading scale: A=90% and above, B= %, C = %, D= %, F=below 60%
- No rounding up
One day per excused absence to make up work
No extra credit assignments
No bell curve grading
No points for non-academics
Major pre-announced assignments (e.g. projects) accepted late
To pass: submit all major writing assignments
Standards-based, weighted grading system:
- Listening, Speaking, & Participation=15%
- Reading=35%
- Writing=50%

5. More on Grading & Assessment
Writing
- Primary focus
- 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
Frequent participation
- Tally of participation vs. average
Q: online grades
- Missing “red” assignments that are blank (not scored) in the grade book are excused or have yet to be entered and do not affect the overall grade
- Zeroes in grade book until work made up for excused absences

6. Additional Policies
Appointments for quiz/test make-ups upon the day of return from excused absence; make ups within one week’s time
Major assignments due by pre-announced deadline even if excused absence
Technological excuses are not acceptable for late work
No credit for work missed due to unexcused absences
No late work accepted
- Exception: major pre-announced assignments 50% point deduction for each day late
FHS policies/rules – including those regarding tardies & cuts, cell phones, academic integrity, & behavior – enforced

7. How You Can Help Time management (see website calendar)
Excusing absences within 72 hours
Assignment/grades review
Quiz/test prep, e.g. flashcard practice
Writing skills, e.g. proctor timed essays for practice
Organization
Student-teacher communication (for academic questions/concerns, student-teacher contact prior to parent-teacher contact; student support available by appointment)
Wish list donations (greatly appreciated!)

8. Open Lines of Communication
Phone: (925) ext. 5810
Website (calendar, notes, handouts, reading recommendations, suggested course materials, classroom wish list, etc.):
- Accessible through FHS website
Conferences by appointment
- Office Hours 5th period
Thank you for attending! I look forward to a great year with your student!