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

2. 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

3. 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%

4. 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 me at

5. 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

6. Online tools
Freedom teacher website- most information needed for class including lesson plans
Remind- Text or reminders of major class announcements
Office 365- Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and class notebooks
Aeries- grades, attendance, and class s
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

7. 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 me whenever you have questions: