ENGLISH II

Mrs. RollensKenwood Academy—English Department2015-2016

ABOUT MRS. ROLLENS… Grew up outside of St. Louis,

Missouri Went to University of Missouri

(Mizzou) Moved to Chicago in 2005 Taught for five years at Farragut

Career Academy on the Westside This is my sixth year at Kenwood

Office Hours: 1st, 3rd, 5th (Room 112) Email Address: mjhopkins1@cps.edu

FOR YOUR INFORMATIONCheck for my English II class on Kenwood’s website. No, seriously.

All assignments, homework, and due dates are posted there and updated frequently.

Therefore, there’s NO excuse for not knowing what we did if you were absent or when something is due.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONWelcome to English II! In this course

we will be exploring different genres of literature from all across the world.

We will complete activities in a variety of formats: individually, in pairs, or in groups.

Finally, because this is a core English course and a graduation requirement, TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. This includes your attendance. (You will see later how even attendance is a part of your grade. )

REQUIRED SUPPLIES Writing utensil (blue or black ink ONLY,

or pencil). You will lose points if you do not follow this rule.

Folder with loose-leaf paper in the middle

A flash drive for saving documents for when we’re completing essays

**THESE ITEMS WILL BE CHECKED ON FRIDAY FOR 30 PTS.

GRADE BREAKDOWNCategories Description Percentag

e of Your Grade

FormativeClass work, informal

writing, and collaborative assignments

30%

SummativeEssays, quizzes, exams,

and projects 40%

Participation/Effort

Daily participation scores 15%

HomeworkIndependent reading and

enrichment activities 15%

TOTAL 100%

UNITS OF STUDY American Beginnings: Native American

stories and The Crucible Shattering Boundaries: The Age of Reason Awakenings: Narrative of the Life of Frederick

Douglass Conceptualism: The Jungle and short readings Optimism, Disillusionment, the American

Dream: Harlem Renaissance & The Great Gatsby

A Dream Deferred: A Raisin in the Sun Empowering Emerging Voices: literature

circles

CLASS EXPECTATIONS1. Participate!! It counts for a grade.

(You’ll see how in a few slides.)2. Be on time!! Being tardy affects your

participation score for the day. You lose 3 points EACH time you’re tardy.

3. Come to class prepared. Due to moving from room to room, I cannot loan supplies.

4. Any electronic device that is SEEN, even if you’re not using it (it’s out on your desk), will be a loss of your participation points for the day.

5. Be willing to work with others. We will do group work at times.

PARTICIPATION POINTSEach day, you earn 6 points for participation.

These points appear in Gradebook every 2-3 weeks as one grade. (This can add up to 500+ points a semester.)

This daily score can be lowered through the following actions:

1. You were absent, even if it’s excused (If you’re not absent often, this will hardly affect you.)

2. Coming to class tardy (loss of 3 of the 6 points)3. You have ANY kind of electronic device out

(unless I have granted permission for that day, but ASK FIRST).

4. Being disrespectful or disruptive in any way 5. Putting your head down or falling asleep

LAST NOTE ABOUT PARTICIPATION POINTS… These points are meant to BOOST your grade

and add a nice buffer if you, for example, don’t do as well on an exam, project, or assignment. It’s 15% of your overall grade. That’s a fantastic safety net.

They are not meant to be a punishment. If you carry yourself and behave as a scholar should, you will not lose these points. Just do what needs to be done!

***FYI: At times, participation points will double per day when working on projects. You will receive plenty of notice when this happens.

ABSENCES In the event of an excused absence, you

MUST bring me a note that has been previously cleared by Ms. Fleming-Jones.

You, and you alone, are responsible for figuring out the make-up work. Visit the Kenwood website to see what we did while you were gone. I will NOT tell you what we did the previous day.

Come visit me that day you return in the English Office to receive any additional handouts, to make up an exam, or to ask me any questions.

CUTTING CLASSIf a student cuts class, that student is ineligible to receive points for all assignments turned in/completed on that day. They will receive a ZERO for that assignment.

This even includes large projects, such as the essay projects.

LATE WORK POLICY Being totally up front, I have a pretty strict

late work policy. Any work that is not turned in the moment it is due will be considered late (not the end of the period and not the end of the day). For example, if you arrive tardy to class and

something has already been collected, it is now late (unless you have an official hall pass).

Late assignments can only earn a maximum of 50% credit.

After TWO weeks from the due date of a regular assignment/project, you can no longer turn it in, even late. After ONE week from when a quiz/exam was given, you can no longer make it up. Check the website!!

LATE HOMEWORK COUPON

TO BALANCE THE LATE WORK POLICY, YOU WILL RECEIVE ONE HOMEWORK COUPON PER QUARTER. THIS MAKES A LATE ASSIGNMENT NOT LATE ANYMORE. (IT DOES NOT REPLACE A GRADE. YOU STILL DO THE WORK AND STAPLE THE COUPON TO IT.)

**YOU CAN CHOOSE TO GIVE THIS TO ANOTHER STUDENT, IF YOU WANT TO BE SUPES NICE.

First Quarter Homework Coupon

This coupon must be attached to homework assignment to receive full credit.

TIME TO GET REALMRS. ROLLENS’S PET PEEVES AND WHAT YOU SHOULD REALLY KNOW : )

•Don’t be tardy, even a second. When the bell rings, I do shut and lock the door.

•Your lap can’t be that hilarious. Please put your phone away. You lose points if it’s out without permission.

•Please don’t ask me what we did yesterday. Look at the website. It’s purpose is to make your life easier.

•You catch more flies with honey. Don’t be a jerk. Seriously, it only leaves a bad impression in my mind about you.

OKAY, NOW WE’RE GOING TO PRACTICE WITH THE HOMEWORK WEBSITE.

ANY QUESTIONS?