1. ENGLISH I CourseSyllabus

2. DESCRIPTION English I will cover the following subjects: Short story Nonfiction Novel Epic Poetry Drama Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling, and Punctuation Paragraph writing & Research techniques Short story writing

3. Independent Novels All classes will be going to the library periodically and will be required to check out independent novels. English I will select and read ONE (1) Accelerated Reader novel per nine weeks outside of class and complete one Accelerated Reader quiz per nine weeks.

4. Exit Standards Passing grade of 60% Acceptable writing pieces Independent reading requirements (novel and article summaries) Class Participation Other assignments/projects assigned by instructor.

5. FINAL EXAM The final exam will constitute 10% of your final grade. An in-depth study guide and review will be given before the exam. If you go into the final exam with below a low “C” average, it is quite possible to fail the entire class if you fail the final.

6. Passing/Failing Students must earn one (1) FULL credit in English I in order to move on to English II during Sophomore year. If a student fails ONE or BOTH semesters, he/she must retake the failed portion before going on to English II.

7. ATTENDANCE Be in seat and on task when class begins. If tardy, SIGN IN on tardy roster, put any notes in the tardy basket and find your seat, do NOT disturb class. Three (3) tardies will result in an office write-up. Although excused absences do allow for make-up work, you may miss notes or valuable lecture information when absent.

8. Make-up Work It is the student’s responsibility to determine work missed. Make-up work for excused absences only You will have 5 days to complete the make- up work. Check the make-up work center for your assignments. Ask classmates about notes/lecture info.

9. Late Work Homework will be collected at the BEGINNING of class. Any work turned in after the teacher has collected the assignment will result in a 10 point deduction. (whether just completed or just found). Late assignments will be accepted for two days with a loss of 10 pts. per day.

10. Supplies 3-Ring Binder/Folder: (English Only) handouts/notes/graded work Paper/Pens/Pencils Composition Notebook Flash/Thumb drive (optional)

11. Grading Scale 90 - 100 A 80 - 89 B 70 - 79 C 60 - 69 D Below 60% will be an “F” Final Exam counts 10% of overall grade

12. Rules and Expectations In seat, On time, with Supplies Must Show Respect for ALL Raise hand to speak or stand No unrelated materials out No class disturbances or disruptions *Food will NOT be permitted in class, drinks with a lid will be permitted!!

13. IMPORTANT!!!! CD players, IPods, Cell Phones, Video Games, headphones, and any other electronic devices are NOT permitted. If any of these devices are seen or heard by the teacher, they will be confiscated and held until the end of class.

14. Consequences Consequences are NOT punishments, they are the results of YOUR chosen behavior. 1 st offense: Yellow Warning Card 2 nd offense: Orange Caution Card & Parent Contact 3 rd offense: Office Write-Up & Parent Contact Warnings and Cautions will be erased at the end of each semester and start over.

15. PROCEDURESPROCEDURES You will be expected to follow these procedures in my classroom.

16. Entering Class: What to do when you get here.. Enter promptly and quietly Get your journals and supplies Sharpen pencils Find your ASSIGNED seat Write down important agenda information in your handbook Begin working on the DGP in your journal, no talking!

17. TARDY: What to do if you are late… If you are Tardy to class, SIGN IN on the Tardy Roster, If you have a tardy slip/note from office or another teacher, place it in the Tardy Basket. Tardies will be tracked; 3 tardies will result in an office write-up. (Starts new each 9-weeks)

18. Make Up Work: What to do if you are absent.. If you have been absent, please check the make- up work center for that day’s assignment when you enter class. There should be assignments with your name on them. Retrieve your assignments and find your seat without talking. See me AFTER class if directions are not clear. You will have 5 days to make up work for an excused absence. Check the class Website for any information

19. DGP Daily Grammar Practice Write the DGP # and Date on the top of the page. Copy the DGP sentence and complete that day’s assignment. You will have approximately 10 minutes to copy and complete the DGP. Wait quietly until everyone is finished.

20. DGP cont.. You will have a DGP Quiz every Friday to assess your progress. DGP Journals will be graded after every 10 entries; they will count 10 pts each= 100 pts. Journals MUST stay in the classroom at ALL times!!

21. Homework Homework will be assigned 2-3 times per week. Homework is due at the beginning of the period. After homework is collected, late papers will receive a 10 pt. deduction. Title your papers with the following information: –Name (no name, no grade!) –Date –Class period

22. Classwork/Seatwork When given time to work on an assignment in class or read silently, there will be NO talking! Every student is required to work the ENTIRE time. No unrelated materials out!

23. Group Work Groups will be assigned by the teacher (do not complain). Every group member will have a role or responsibility and MUST participate. Productive noise must be kept to a minimum. Group conversations must pertain to the lesson subject ONLY! Group members will be given the opportunity to privately rate their peer’s effort and participation.

24. Speaking Out If you are answering a question or have a relevant comment to make in class, please raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged. ALL students must be respectful to other student’s questions and comments; disrespect will result in a consequence. Comments that are uncalled for or irrelevant will result in a consequence.

25. Getting out of your Seat If you need to get out of your seat to retrieve a supply or sharpen a broken pencil, please raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged. When you are on the floor do NOT disturb the class instruction or other students. Getting out of your seat without permission will result in a consequence.

26. Restroom Requests Restroom requests are for EMERGENCY situations ONLY!!!!! Students will only be permitted two (2) restroom requests per nine weeks. You MUST have permission, the Hall Pass, and SIGN In and Out with the times on the Restroom Pass sheet. Please exit and enter the classroom quietly and respectfully.

27. Unrelated Materials At NO time during English class are you permitted to have any unrelated materials out! Cell phones, M3P, headphones, calculators, video games, CD players, and other electronic devices will be confiscated and held until the end of class. Other unrelated materials: make-up, brushes, pictures, notes, letters, doodling, drawing, unrelated books, work for other subjects, etc… Will be confiscated and kept until the end of class and will result in a consequence.

28. Teacher is Talking When the teacher is talking, you are expected to be silent and paying attention. If another student or guest speaker is addressing the class, you are expected to be silent and paying attention. It is RUDE to talk when another person is talking!!!

29. Classroom/Teacher Property Any property belonging to the classroom must be treated with respect. You are responsible for any damages! HELP KEEP THE ROOM CLEAN!!!!!!!!! The teacher’s personal property and belongings are OFF limits! Do not come behind the teacher’s desk without permission!!

30. Exiting Class Do NOT begin to gather your things or get out of your seat until the teacher formally dismisses you. Class will NOT be dismissed unless everyone is seated. THE TEACHER DISMISSES CLASS NOT THE BELL!!!!!!! Return your journal to the box and Exit quietly and respectfully.