General Information
Contents:
- Required Materials
- Rights and Responsibilities
- Plagiarism
- Make-up and Late Work Policies
- General Types of Assessment
- Grading Policies
Required Materials
Designated Class Folder
- Please have a tabbed section of a larger binder, or a separate pocket folder in order to hold all handouts, graded work, and information. It is suggested that students not discard anything until after the semester for graded work, or at the end of the year for handouts, as the information provided may be useful in future capacities.
- All classwork, lecture notes, and journal assignments will take place within a designated class ‘journal.’ This journal will be part of students' participation in class.
- Each quarter, students will receive full course schedules, including daily agenda, assignment due dates, and reading assignments. Students should also keep track of important dates in individual planners to ensure organization – a skill incredibly vital to success in this course.
- This includes all in-class readings (core readings as listed above), any literature circle books as chosen by groups (to be discussed in detail at a later time), and independent reading novels. These materials are necessary at all times to ensure class participation – failure to bring these materials is much like being absent for the day – full participation will be very difficult otherwise.
Rights and Responsibilities
- Students have the right to a good learning environment, and it is my goal to do everything in my power to create that for each individual to the best of my ability. Our school is moving to a “Bring your own Technology” model, and thus students are at this time allowed to – in class – utilize resources via phones, media storage devices, tablets, and laptops. I would like to use these to eventually move toward a completely digital form of classroom work and submission. However, students are asked to please refrain from distracting oneself and others with improper use.
- Students are responsible for their own personal control and maturity, and I expect them to demonstrate respect for self, teachers, peers, and any other adult figure, including administration, parents, and guests – this means use of proper language, manners, politeness, thoughtfulness, etc.
- Students have the right to discuss the works, ask questions, and research information. I expect each individual to be involved in class activities and class discussions. I also expect use of proper English conventions at all times, and on all assignments -- this means complete sentences, proper grammar and punctuation, no "text-speak,” and proper spelling. I will be looking for proper English at all times, and I expect students to practice these skills.
- Students are responsible for coming to class prepared. This means being in their seats when the bell rings and bringing the necessary materials, including any work due, as indicated by the agenda. This also means that it is the students' responsibility to schedule make-up work only for an excused absence (see make up and late work policy).
Plagiarism
"The student must cite properly every idea, term, phrase, or chart originating with another author. Failure to do so and submitting a paper as if its ideas, key terms, catchy phrases, and/or charts were those of the student constitutes the stealing of intellectual property and is clearly plagiarism. Unfortunately, plagiarism is not the only form of intellectual dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes giving or receiving assistance on an exam, unauthorized use of notes or books during an exam, falsifying information on an assignment or project, or claiming credit of an idea or statement that belongs to someone else."
Consequences of academic dishonesty in this classroom are serious. We will be doing a lot of writing so please take care in giving credit where it is due. I will provide you with the help and resources necessary for you to do so. If accused of plagiarism, you will receive written notice from me, as well as a call to your parents/guardians. I will then give you the opportunity to plead your case (providing your evidence), and I will rule accordingly. If plagiarism occurs, the assignment for the grade will receive a zero. For obvious and serious offenses, reports will be made to the administration. Cheating, no matter how small or large, is not to be tolerated in my classroom at any time, and will be dealt with according to severity, using the school’s Ethics Policy and Discipline Matrix, which can be found here.
Make-up and Late Work Policies
All handouts, assignments, and class notes will be available in the designated filing box each week, as well as on the class website. Students are responsible for retrieving these on own time (before/after class). Students have
one day for each day of absence to make up work for full credit. Students are responsible for referring to the agendas which are posted and given in advance; there should be no excuses for not knowing what is coming. If students miss a major assignment (test, quiz, or timed writing), they will need to be prepared to take it the day of return unless prior arrangements are made (in advance of absence, via email only). If a student is out for an extended period of time, please contact me by email to request information/assignments.
If a due date is missed, assignments lose 10% of the earned grade for each day the assignment is not submitted. Late work will not be accepted for the final Capstone.
*The school attendance policy can be accessed here.
one day for each day of absence to make up work for full credit. Students are responsible for referring to the agendas which are posted and given in advance; there should be no excuses for not knowing what is coming. If students miss a major assignment (test, quiz, or timed writing), they will need to be prepared to take it the day of return unless prior arrangements are made (in advance of absence, via email only). If a student is out for an extended period of time, please contact me by email to request information/assignments.
If a due date is missed, assignments lose 10% of the earned grade for each day the assignment is not submitted. Late work will not be accepted for the final Capstone.
*The school attendance policy can be accessed here.
Types of Assessment
Group Discussion/Participation
Attendance in class is vital to students’ understanding of the material – students should be on time and ready for discussion each day, and have done the assigned reading before class. Assignments for this category may include discussion questions, short journals, and general participation.
Formal Assessments
Throughout the semester, we will work independently and/or form groups to complete projects, presentations, etc. Many of these projects are designed to help not only show individual understanding, but to also give students a chance to interact with fellow classmates as group mates and as “teachers.” Students will become experts on certain topics, and will have to have handouts/visuals to engage the class. More information regarding the specifics of these projects will be given at time of assignment. This Category also includes Quizzes, which may include vocabulary and reading comprehension.
Writing
Each quarter, students will complete an independent reading assignment, which will culminate in a year-end Capstone assignment. There may also be writing assignments accompanying in-class texts as well. This category will include such things short responses, creative writing, essays, reflections, etc
Socratic Seminars
At the end of the semester, students will engage in a formal discussion, which will encompass connections to all texts, and must showcase independent reading in some way.
Attendance in class is vital to students’ understanding of the material – students should be on time and ready for discussion each day, and have done the assigned reading before class. Assignments for this category may include discussion questions, short journals, and general participation.
Formal Assessments
Throughout the semester, we will work independently and/or form groups to complete projects, presentations, etc. Many of these projects are designed to help not only show individual understanding, but to also give students a chance to interact with fellow classmates as group mates and as “teachers.” Students will become experts on certain topics, and will have to have handouts/visuals to engage the class. More information regarding the specifics of these projects will be given at time of assignment. This Category also includes Quizzes, which may include vocabulary and reading comprehension.
Writing
Each quarter, students will complete an independent reading assignment, which will culminate in a year-end Capstone assignment. There may also be writing assignments accompanying in-class texts as well. This category will include such things short responses, creative writing, essays, reflections, etc
Socratic Seminars
At the end of the semester, students will engage in a formal discussion, which will encompass connections to all texts, and must showcase independent reading in some way.
Grading Policies
Grade Scale:
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 63-66
D- 60-62
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 63-66
D- 60-62