1. Classical Connections
Mrs. Cotner-English 9 & Mr. Saunders-World History I Warrior Tech Academy
Classical Connections
Course Description
Class Norms
TRR (Trust, Respect, & Responsibility)
Share the air
Honor the time
Respect the space
Results not excuses
Class rules will be addressed the first week of school and posted on Echo.
Welcome to Magna Vista High School and the Warrior Tech Academy! The Classical Connections course brings together English 9 and World History I, giving you a chance to experience the way that the world, throughout history, has impacted writing and how the written word has impacted history.
Most of the course work will be completed through project based learning (in nutshell, you will creating some sort of large scale product for each topic covered in class)
Although there is no SOL test for English 9, you will have the World History I SOL test in May.
How can my parents and I stay informed about what’s going on in class?
There are a variety of ways you can keep up to date with what’s going on in Classical Connections:
Remind: This webservice will be utilized to send out class notifications via text message or . You can join by following this link
Check Out Echo: Mrs. Cotner and Mr. Saunders will publish announcements, post assignments, and input students grades on Echo. Make sure you’re checking out the Echo agenda page regularly to keep on top of all of your assigned work.
Us: Please contact us with any questions or concerns at and
What are the consequences if I don’t follow class rules?
Warning: The teacher provides a verbal reprimand/reminder of classroom norms.
TRR Reflection and a Call Home: The student will reflect on their behavior and identify possible steps to avoid similar misbehavior in the future.
Referral to Administration: Student will be immediately referred to administration for severe behavior problems or any classroom behavior that becomes a violation of safety.

2. What do I do if I am absent?
Mrs. Cotner & Mr. Saunders Magna Vista High School
Grade Scale
What do I do if I am absent?
A – %
B %
C – 70 – 79%
D – %
F – 0 – 59%
Always check the class Echo for agendas, handouts, and assignment due dates. Be sure to contact Mrs. Cotner, Mr. Saunders, and the members of your group to let them know that you will be out. If all of the above are not contacted, your grade may be affected.
You are responsible for the work you miss while you are out. If a quiz was administered on a day a student was absent, the quiz must be made up on the first day the student returns. If previously assigned work was due on the day of the absence, the work is due on the first day the student returns otherwise it is considered late and will receive a zero for agency.
Grade Breakdown
English Knowledge & Thinking 25%
History Knowledge & Thinking 25%
Written Communication %
Oral Communication %
Agency %
Collaboration %
Do I have to read outside of class?
In order to best ensure understanding of English and history content, all students will be expected to read and write regularly outside of class.
What types of writing will I do this year?
Written communication will be an important and required part of each project.
Persuasive writing will be our main focus, but other types of writing will be taught and required
Class Supplies
Daily SSR Novel
Pens/Pencils for daily use
1-subject spiral notebook
Your laptop
Headphones (when allowed)
1 Poster Board (for 1st project--need by 2nd week of class)
Art supplies (if you have/want your own)
Project Supplies
Groups will have to determine what they need to complete each project amongst themselves. Group members are responsible for obtaining these supplies.
What types of literature will I be reading this year?
All literature in this course (short stories, poetry, drama, fiction and non-fiction works) will be connected to the historical content being studied.
SSR (Sustained Silent Reading) will be required the 1st 20 minutes of EACH class period. Reading Logs will be required and collected during conferencing.

3. Mrs. Cotner and Mr. Saunders Magna Vista High School 2016-2017
Please Read the course information, sign, and return this sheet to Mrs. Cotner or Mr. Saunders.
Students:
Please sign below to signify that you have read the course sheet for Mrs. Cotner and Mr. Saunders’ class. You will keep it in your folder, you will be responsible for the information throughout the year, and you will check Parent Portal at least twice per week at school or at home.
_______________________________ _____________________________________________
Student printed name Student signature
Parents/Guardians:
Please sign below to indicate that you have read the course sheet for Classical Connections and that you will help your student be accountable for the information. If you have any questions about the course or your
student’s work, please do not hesitate to contact us; is the best way to reach us quickly.
Mrs. Cotner: Mr. Saunders:  
Parent/Guardian printed name Parent/Guardian signature
_______________________________ ______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Parent/Guardian daytime phone number
(please print)
Parents and guardians, please CIRCLE the best way for us to contact you:
phone
Check all the statements that apply to how you would like to communicate with Mrs. Cotner and Mr. Saunders about your student’s progress. We will, of course, call for major concerns or accomplishments, but with approximately 130 students, we like to know how you’d prefer to communicate.
_____ I/We have internet access at home, so we will check Echo at least once per week to check on my/our student’s progress. I/We will contact Mrs. Cotner/Mr. Saunders about any concerns we have.
_____ I/We do not have internet access at home, but I/we would like to have regular contact with Mrs. Cotner/Mr. Saunders. I/we would like to be contacted by phone for any concerns when applicable.
_____ Other: _______________________________________________________________________________