Ms. Johnson's English I Syllabus

Save Learning EnvironmentQuality learning occurs when an individual feels safe and supported within his or her environment. In order to achieve classroom-wide quality learning, behavior in accordance with the policies stated in the Mitchell High School Student Handbook must be followed by every student, instructor, and guest. This note also applies to the dishonesty contract that every student must sign upon entering the class.

1. Bring your books to class every period. Fifteen minutes before/after school or a Saturday School Point will be issued if your book does not accompany you to class.2. Remember your charged computer. Don’t leave your computers in the car during winter. I won’t wait while your computer decides to warm up before loading. BE RESPONSIBLE. 3. A planner—It is important to keep track of your assignments and when they are due. 4. I suggest a three ring binder, tab dividers, and loose leaf paper assigned especially for English class will come in handy to stay organized throughout the year. Labeling can be divided into vocabulary, reading, grammar & writing handouts. 5. An Independent reading book. These need to come to class every day.

MaterialWelcome!

Welcome to English! This course will introduce students to a variety of literary prose and poetry. Writing will continue to focus on constructing clear and coherent thesis statements, as well as weaving sources into thesis-supported commentary. Students will expand expository and argumentative writing abilities by applying problem/solution and cause/effect organizational patterns. Knowledge of sentence fluency and depth, through grammar and vocabulary reinforcement, will continue to grow throughout the year.

Students will delve into pieces of literature such as The Odyssey, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, and The Miracle Worker

There will be concepts that we will find challenging throughout the year, but we will work as a team to get through each unit. By staying positive and hard working every day, each of you will excel in this class. I promise that all of the hard work will pay off and I will be here to support you in any way I can!

ContactApril Johnson

Room 131 Website & Daily Homework:

johnsonsenglishpage.weebly.com Email: April.Johnson@k12.sd.us

Phone: (605) 995-3034

Grading Scale1st nine weeks—40% 2nd nine weeks—40%

Semester Test—20%Final Drafts/Tests/Major Projects – 45% Draft Work/Quizzes/Minor Projects

– 35%Book Love Effort/Participation – 20%

Object 2

Classroom Norms1. Be respectful to others and their

property. 2. Come prepared & on time to class with

necessary materials.3. Be prepared to learn and contribute in

an appropriate and meaningful way.4. Work hard every day.

5. Follow directions the first time they are given.

6. Be positive. Be positive. Be positive.Technology Expectations

CELL PHONES—If I see a cell phone out—it is mine until I decide otherwise.

Music—is a reward. I will let you know when you can listen to it.

Games/Movies/Other non-School distractions---Not allowed in class.

Policies1. Make-Up Work: You are responsible for getting and completing assignments when you are absent.

Check website first, then ask me any questions. Handouts are kept in the hanging folder. I am more than happy to help you before, after or during open periods (SRB or my planning period)

o Be prepared for the next class period. If you do not come prepared, it is considered late work (50%). Communication is key!

o As the school policy states, if you know you will be gone for an activity, you must make up the work or make a plan with me BEFORE the absence (this includes quizzes and tests).

2. Late Work: Late work is accepted for up to half credit (50%) until two weeks before the end of each quarter.

3. Grading in Campus: Students and parents should keep close tabs on grades throughout the year. o Missing assignments will be marked with an ‘M’

4. Failure to Turn in Major Assignments: This will result in removal from class and three Saturday School Points will be awarded if draft, final draft or paper project deadlines are not met. Due to the peer review process we will be using, late Rough Drafts, will receive zero credit. After the final draft has been handed in, writing check steps (such an outline, notecards, etc) will be turned to zeros.

5. Cheating and/or plagiarism will result in a ZERO for the assignment.

MLA Format for Papers Typed in 12-point font (Times New Roman) Double spaced and typed MLA heading (double spaced/left margin by the

staple):

Your Full Name Ms. Johnson (Instructor’s Name) English II (& Section Ex: B1) Date (August 19, 2016)

An original, creative Title (capitalized, centered, regular font)

If instructed to Print a Paper, do it BEFORE you come to class in order to meet deadlines; otherwise expect a deduction of 10 POINTS on your paper.

Reading Author Penny Kittle asked current college

professors how much reading a freshman in college needs to do to keep up. Professors responded with 200-600 pages A WEEK (20).

My goal this year is to encourage a love of reading in everyone who walks through my door. It is my hope that all grow into readers beyond school – even after you graduate!

Reading homework: read a personal book at a comfortable pace (based on individual reading rate calculations done in class) for two hours or more each week outside class to build enjoyment, stamina, and reading comprehension.

You will be expected to document and complete assignments based on your independent reading assignment.

Students will also be responsible for keeping up with reading assignments for the group novels and short stories assigned to the class.

How To Be Successful Students

Academic Dishonesty PolicyAll forms of academic dishonesty, including cheating on tests, plagiarism, collusion and falsification of information, will automatically call for discipline.

1) Cheating on tests is defined to include:a. Copying from another student’s test paper.b. Using material during a test not authorized by the person giving the test.c. Collaborating with any other person during a test without permission.d. Knowingly obtaining, using, buying, selling, transporting, or soliciting in whole or in part the

contents of an unadministered test.e. Bribing any other person to obtain tests or information about tests.

2) “Plagiarism” is defined as the appropriation of any other person’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s own work offered for credit. Basically this means----stealing someone else’s work or words and submitting them as if they were yours. Bottom line: DON’T DO IT!!

3) “Collusion” means that unauthorized collaboration with any other person in preparing work offered for credit.

It is unreasonable to expect a complete definition that would cover all cases because each situation is important enough to merit careful, individual scrutiny; however, it is helpful to have guidelines and precedents. Here are some examples that are clearly cheating.

Examples of cheating:*Turning in someone else’s work, in whole or in part, as your own

Be PositiveThere is always a positive side to every situation and it is my mission this year to get you to see it! Rather than focusing on how difficult any given task is, we should celebrate the fact that we now have the skills to tackle such a problem. We need to recognize the

little things in life and celebrate them!

Be PresentIt is much more difficult to learn the day’s lesson when you are not physically in class. The more days you miss, the further behind you get from

the rest of the class. And most importantly, your teachers enjoy seeing you in class everyday!

Do Your WorkDid Michael Jordan become such a great basketball player by sitting through practices? No. Everyone gets better by working hard and practicing over and

over again – pushing themselves each time. It’s okay if you have trouble doing it the first time, try

again.

Ask QuestionsIf you’re not sure what I’m talking about or you have a questions, ASK! You most likely have the same question as someone else in the room. I don’t expect you to understand everything the first time it’s mentioned, but I don’t know this unless you ask me for clarification or to slow

down. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Surround Yourself With Positive People

If your friends are working hard, chances are you will, too! Being the best you can be can be difficult

at times, but if you keep motivational friends, family, and others around you, they can help you when times get tough. And just as they may help you on your bad days, be supportive to those who

may be in need of a little positivity that day!

Cooperate With OthersIt is a very important life skill to be able to

cooperate with everyone around us. We all have different beliefs, priorities, challenges, and we must be respectful of each other's. Remember that you never know what might be going on in another person's life, and we should think twice before we say something we may later regret.

Simply put, "treat others the way you would like to be treated."

(with or without his/her knowledge)*Turning in a completely duplicated assignment*Allowing another student to turn in your work as his/her own*Several people writing one assignment and turning in multiple copies, all represented as individual work*Stealing an examination or solution from the instructor

The instructor has the option of dealing with an offense in one of two ways:1. Giving a “0” for that particular assignment.2. Assigning a grade of F or WF for the course.

I understand the above information and the consequences of academic dishonesty.

STUDENT NAME: ____________________________

I have read and understand the syllabus and the classroom expectations and the consequences of academic dishonesty. I will do my best in class every single day. I understand that Ms. Johnson is available to meet outside of class and will make sure to meet with her whenever I do not understand what we went over in class or what was on the assignment.

_______________________________________________________________________Student’s Signature

Communication Sheet

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I believe communication between a teacher and parents/guardians is very important. Throughout the school year, I may need to contact you regarding your child’s academic performance and behavior. I may contact you when your child needs help in a certain area as well as when your child is doing well. If there is something outside of school that is affecting your child (illness, death of a loved one, etc...) that you think I should know about, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Although the school has some phone numbers and email addresses on file, they may not be current, or they may not represent the best/fastest way to get in touch with you, so please let me know the way that you would most want to be notified if necessary:

Parent Preferred Phone Contact: ______________________________________________________

Parent Preferred Email Contact: ______________________________________________________

Would you prefer an email or phone call as a first form of contact? __________________________

Please share any information you would like to bring to my attention regarding your student.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

I have read and understand the syllabus and the classroom expectations.

________________________________________________________________Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature