1. Mr. Thayer English 3 2011-2012

2. First of all… DON’T TOUCH THE COMPUTERS!!! You will get a chance to use them eventually, but until then, leave them alone. NO EXCEPTIONS. NO EXCUSES. Now, onto the good stuff.

3. “So, what’s this class all about?” English 3 give you a look at works by American writers. You’ll read tons of great books, stories and poems. You’ll learn how to be a better writer. You’ll learn to be a better student.

4. “What are we going to do?” Works we are going to cover in class: Bless Me Ultima The Crucible Anthem The Things They Carried (O’Brien) A Crash Course in Poetry Short Stories Various types of writing

5. “What does this mean to me?” This means that you will be reading, writing and thinking…a lot. There will be a minimum of 10 new vocabulary words given every Monday. Vocab practice will be on Wednesdays. Vocab tests will be Fridays. You will be reading SSR books at home on your own. It is a FACT that the more you read, the better you get at it, and the better you are at writing.

6. The Bottom Line: I am here to teach. You are here to learn. THAT’S IT! In my class there is basically one rule: Respect yourself, your classmates, the teacher, and your environment (the classroom). If you act in a way that is disrespectful, you will be removed from class IMMEDIATELY.

7. “Well, what now?” go out and get a three ring binder, paper, pencils and pens. get a copy of the textbook from the library. give your best effort...always. pay attention learn

8. “What do I do if I’m absent?” After an absence, check the Class Log from the previous day(s) to find out what we did on the day you were absent. If you still have questions or need handouts/notes/to make up tests, then see me. Do not come to me for make up work UNTIL you have checked the Class Log. You have exactly the number of days you missed to make up the missed assignments.

9. “Do you take late work?” Yes! But there’s a catch. -If you turn in an assignment late, you will only receive ½ credit. End of story. MEMORIZE THIS. I WILL NOT BEND ON THIS POINT, SO MAKE SURE YOU TURN ASSIGNMENTS IN ON TIME.

10. “What about extra credit?” Actually, I do give occasional extra credit. The easiest is the “Class Log.” I occasionally give extra credit projects or extra questions on tests that can be done for extra credit. I DO NOT just give random assignments because you aren’t passing. Everyone gets the same opportunities for extra credit. No, you can’t “do a book report,” etc.

11. “So what’s this Class Log?” Every day, one student from each class may get 5 points extra credit by filling out the class log. It is a simple form which outlines everything we did in class. Students with excused absences will check the class log upon their return to get their make-up work.

12. “How does the class log work?” The first person to ask gets the log. You must ask between the end of the previous period and the end of your class period. You can only do 8 class logs per quarter. (40 points) You can’t do the log two class days in a row. That’s it! Easy points!

13. “What about grades?” I use a pretty standard grading scale 100-90%A 89-80%B 79-70% C 69-60%D If you are within 2% of the next higher grade, you get the “Thayer Bump” up to the next grade.

14. A Typical Week- Monday- Copy the Vocab List for the week, then work on the literature, projects, etc. we are covering. Tuesday- “Deconstruct” the Vocab, then continue working on the literature, projects, etc. Wednesday- Vocabulary Practice, then work on on the literature, projects, etc. Thursday- SSR or UNRAAVEL, then continue working on the literature, projects, etc. Friday- Vocab Test, then continue working on the literature, projects, etc.

15. The Nuts and Bolts- Almost everything you need to know will be posted at my website: www.cwthayer.comwww.cwthayer.com If you have questions, the best/quickest way to reach me is through email. Either of these will work, but the first one is best:  chris@christhayer.com chris@christhayer.com  christopher.thayer@sbcusd.com christopher.thayer@sbcusd.com

16. “But I hate English!” Here’s a little known secret: When I was in high school, I hated English class, too! My teachers gave us boring stuff to read that I had no interest in. Because of that, I try to do things a little differently than a lot of other teachers. Whenever I have a choice, I will give you books that YOU will likely find interesting, not what “old people” like.

17. Want some points, now? I don’t give busy work. I hated it as a student and I promised not to do it as a teacher, so even this little assignment has a point. Write your name, the period and the date at the top of these notes. You will get this paper signed by your parent/guardian and bring it tomorrow. This is worth 25 points!

18. That’s It! Pretty easy, huh?