1. Welcome to English III Mrs. Drake Room #400 The classroom website is: The classroom website is: Email: ddrake@charleston.k12.il.us ddrake@charleston.k12.il.us Voice Mail: Mrs. Drake (217)639-5093 Voice Mail: Mrs. Drake (217)639-5093

2. Course Description This course includes a survey of American literature beginning with The Colonial period and ending with The Moderns. This course includes a survey of American literature beginning with The Colonial period and ending with The Moderns. Two novels will be taught in this course including The Scarlet Letter first semester and The Great Gatsby second semester. Two novels will be taught in this course including The Scarlet Letter first semester and The Great Gatsby second semester. Two more American fiction/non-fiction books must be read outside of class to fulfill the requirements for this course. Two more American fiction/non-fiction books must be read outside of class to fulfill the requirements for this course. The study of root words is required for this course. The study of root words is required for this course. Weekly PSAE timed reading/workkeys passages are also a requirement for this course. Weekly PSAE timed reading/workkeys passages are also a requirement for this course. Two expository “literary analysis” essays and two persuasive essays (at least one must be a documented essay) must be formally evaluated for this course. Two expository “literary analysis” essays and two persuasive essays (at least one must be a documented essay) must be formally evaluated for this course. Along with the literature, root word, and composition study, the instruction of grammar usage and mechanics will be a daily part of this course. Along with the literature, root word, and composition study, the instruction of grammar usage and mechanics will be a daily part of this course.

3. Novels The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

4. Classroom Rules High expectations are a must! High expectations are a must! Good attendance is essential to success. Good attendance is essential to success. Abide by the “golden rule.” Abide by the “golden rule.” Come to class on time. Come to class on time. Avoid disruptions. Avoid disruptions. Be prepared for class. Be prepared for class. Do not ask to leave the classroom except for emergencies. Do not ask to leave the classroom except for emergencies. Late work will not be accepted except under rare circumstances. Late work will not be accepted except under rare circumstances. Deal with make-up work immediately. Deal with make-up work immediately. No food or drink is allowed in the classroom. No food or drink is allowed in the classroom. Cell phones and ipods are not permitted to be used during class without permission. Cell phones and ipods are not permitted to be used during class without permission. Respect school property especially classroom equipment. Respect school property especially classroom equipment. Wait for the teacher to dismiss class, not the bell. Wait for the teacher to dismiss class, not the bell.

5. Consequences A verbal warning is given when a classroom rule has been violated. This does not include tardy violations, insubordination, misbehavior with a sub, inappropriate use of classroom equipment, or gross misconduct outlined in your student handbook. Insubordination, misbehavior for a sub, and inappropriate use of classroom equipment will result in, at minimum, an automatic detention. A tardy violation receives 3 points automatically. If the warning is not heeded, 3 pts. are assigned for each subsequent infraction. When the student has accumulated 9 classroom points, a point letter is sent home to parents. The next subsequent infraction after the letter will be an assigned detention. If the behavior continues beyond the detention, subsequent points shall be assigned until the student reaches 20 points. If in the event the student reaches 20 points, a conference with the parent or guardian shall be scheduled. Further consequences may include more detentions, AER, or removal to study hall depending on the nature of the infractions. Point records accumulate during one semester and then begin anew second semester.

6. Make-Up Work You will have one day for every day missed to make up your assignments. You will have one day for every day missed to make up your assignments. Please come in to see your teacher during tutorial as soon as you return to school from an absence. Please come in to see your teacher during tutorial as soon as you return to school from an absence. Tests and quiz make-up dates must be scheduled immediately. Tests and quiz make-up dates must be scheduled immediately. Check the make-up folder or the classroom website for missed assignments and handouts. Check the make-up folder or the classroom website for missed assignments and handouts. Alternative assignments may be given for missed videos and group assignments. Alternative assignments may be given for missed videos and group assignments. If you miss a written essay assignment or major class project due date, only a note from a parent/ guardian or doctor will excuse you from late deduction points. If you miss a written essay assignment or major class project due date, only a note from a parent/ guardian or doctor will excuse you from late deduction points. Papers and presentations not turned in on the assigned due date will receive one letter grade deduction for each day late. Papers and presentations not turned in on the assigned due date will receive one letter grade deduction for each day late. If you miss school for any reason, other than illness, you will need to make up your work before you leave in most cases. If you miss school for any reason, other than illness, you will need to make up your work before you leave in most cases.

7. Grading Grading Scale 100-90=A89-80=B79-70=C69-60=D Below 60=F *Grades in this class are cumulative and are based on total points.

8. Grading Continued The greatest percentage of your grade in this class will be taken from classwork & homework. You should expect to have homework almost every night. The greatest percentage of your grade in this class will be taken from classwork & homework. You should expect to have homework almost every night. Occasional unit quizzes and tests will also make up a considerable percentage of your grade. Occasional unit quizzes and tests will also make up a considerable percentage of your grade. Two formal essay assignment grades will be included in your percentage for this course as well. Two formal essay assignment grades will be included in your percentage for this course as well. You will also be required to submit 30 annotations for a book that you read outside of class. This assignment is worth 150 points each semester. You will also be required to submit 30 annotations for a book that you read outside of class. This assignment is worth 150 points each semester. Class projects, if time permits, will be included in your final semester grade as well. Class projects, if time permits, will be included in your final semester grade as well. You will also receive an organization grade for the semester. This grade will be based on several factors including preparedness for class each day, organization of folder, notes, and handouts; including appropriate headers on all documents, and following all instructions for submitting assignments. You will also receive an organization grade for the semester. This grade will be based on several factors including preparedness for class each day, organization of folder, notes, and handouts; including appropriate headers on all documents, and following all instructions for submitting assignments. Class participation will also be figured into the semester grade as well, not to exceed 10% of the overall grade. Class participation will also be figured into the semester grade as well, not to exceed 10% of the overall grade.

9. More on Grading Please do not ask me “Is this assignment for a grade?” Please do not ask me “Is this assignment for a grade?” The answer is always “Yes” whether I collect it and assign an actual grade or not! The answer is always “Yes” whether I collect it and assign an actual grade or not! Every academic activity you do in this class is either receiving a formative or summative assessment. “Formative” assessments are based on a teacher’s observations of a student. “Summative” assessment is based on actual quizzes, tests, exams, written essays, and final projects. Every academic activity you do in this class is either receiving a formative or summative assessment. “Formative” assessments are based on a teacher’s observations of a student. “Summative” assessment is based on actual quizzes, tests, exams, written essays, and final projects. So, this means, give your best effort on everything you do in this class! So, this means, give your best effort on everything you do in this class!

10. Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures Please bring your textbook, paper, English folder, pen, pencil, and journal to class each day. Please bring your textbook, paper, English folder, pen, pencil, and journal to class each day. Spiral bound notebook paper is discouraged. Spiral bound notebook paper is discouraged. Please use pencil or black/blue ink on all assignments. Please use pencil or black/blue ink on all assignments. Unless instructed otherwise, please use complete sentences for all assignments. Remember to proofread, correcting all spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors. Unless instructed otherwise, please use complete sentences for all assignments. Remember to proofread, correcting all spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors. Include an appropriate header with all assignments, including first and last name, course title, hour, date, assignment title, and page number. The assignment title should be centered at the top of the paper. All other info should be included in the upper right-hand corner of the assignment. Include an appropriate header with all assignments, including first and last name, course title, hour, date, assignment title, and page number. The assignment title should be centered at the top of the paper. All other info should be included in the upper right-hand corner of the assignment. Please write neatly and legibly. For some, it may be better to type the assignments. Please write neatly and legibly. For some, it may be better to type the assignments.

11. Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures Continued All formal essay assignments should be typed, double-spaced, and include header (unless otherwise instructed). No cover page or report folder should be included. All formal essay assignments should be typed, double-spaced, and include header (unless otherwise instructed). No cover page or report folder should be included. Score sheets are provided for each student to keep track of assignments and points earned. Students are highly encouraged to keep track of their own grades. Otherwise, they shall find themselves at the mercy of the teachers’ accounting system. Score sheets are provided for each student to keep track of assignments and points earned. Students are highly encouraged to keep track of their own grades. Otherwise, they shall find themselves at the mercy of the teachers’ accounting system. Each student will be provided a manila folder to store all important documents such as tests, quizzes, and essays. These folders shall be kept in the classroom. Each student will be provided a manila folder to store all important documents such as tests, quizzes, and essays. These folders shall be kept in the classroom. Please save all of your assignments and handouts throughout the semester in a folder designated for English III. Please save all of your assignments and handouts throughout the semester in a folder designated for English III.

12. Writing Evaluation Most writing completed in this course is evaluated according to Illinois state standards based on a six point scale for Focus, Support/Elaboration, Organization, Conventions, and Integration/Style. Most writing completed in this course is evaluated according to Illinois state standards based on a six point scale for Focus, Support/Elaboration, Organization, Conventions, and Integration/Style. The MLA or Modern Language Association is the style used in all English classes at CHS for documenting sources. The MLA or Modern Language Association is the style used in all English classes at CHS for documenting sources. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If a student is discovered plagiarizing in this course, a failing grade for the assignment shall be the result. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If a student is discovered plagiarizing in this course, a failing grade for the assignment shall be the result. A computer program known as Turnitin.com may be used to check for a written assignment’s originality. A computer program known as Turnitin.com may be used to check for a written assignment’s originality.

13. Daily Grammar Practice (DGP) We are using a grammar program known as DGP or Daily Grammar Practice. We are using a grammar program known as DGP or Daily Grammar Practice. We will be doing DGP at the beginning of each class period unless instructed otherwise. We will be doing DGP at the beginning of each class period unless instructed otherwise. In the beginning, you will work in small groups to complete the grammar task for the day. Once you get the hang of it, you will be given the opportunity for independent practice. In the beginning, you will work in small groups to complete the grammar task for the day. Once you get the hang of it, you will be given the opportunity for independent practice. Your DGP evaluation will be included as part of your daily participation grade. Your DGP evaluation will be included as part of your daily participation grade. Occasionally, I will collect the DGP as an accuracy homework grade. Occasionally, I will collect the DGP as an accuracy homework grade. There will be a DGP quizzes occasionally as needed. There will be a DGP quizzes occasionally as needed. The DGP skills will also be included on your semester and final exams. The DGP skills will also be included on your semester and final exams.

14. Grammar Instruction Cont. We will occasionally be using an internet based grammar program called englishgrammar101.com. We will occasionally be using an internet based grammar program called englishgrammar101.com. Students take pretests and posttests to assess their understanding of important grammar concepts. Students take pretests and posttests to assess their understanding of important grammar concepts. Students work at their own pace to complete each module. Students work at their own pace to complete each module. Lessons may be completed at home if internet access is available, but tests must be completed in class. Lessons may be completed at home if internet access is available, but tests must be completed in class. This is a paperless program, so no printing is required. This is a paperless program, so no printing is required.

15. Gaggle.net This year we will continue to use an internet program that we began using last year. This year we will continue to use an internet program that we began using last year. All students and teachers receive an email account to use for educational purposes. All students and teachers receive an email account to use for educational purposes. Students have the opportunity to submit work to the homework dropbox. Students have the opportunity to submit work to the homework dropbox.

16. Gaggle.net continued There are many features available to students and teachers available through gaggle.net that we will be discussing shortly. There are many features available to students and teachers available through gaggle.net that we will be discussing shortly. Please let me know if you do not have internet access at home so that I can make alternative arrangements for gaggle.net assignments. Please let me know if you do not have internet access at home so that I can make alternative arrangements for gaggle.net assignments. We do have several computers available in our media center in which you may access the internet. We do have several computers available in our media center in which you may access the internet.

17. Get Ready for a Great Year!