English I

2016-2017 Course Syllabus

Mrs. Baylus

“Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.”

-Rumi

Classroom: 211

Email:

Website:You can find my information, lesson plans, and much more on the High School website under the “Teacher Webpages” tab.

Tutorial hours:Wednesday 7:20am-7:40am and Thursday 3:15pm-3:35pm

Course Description: English I will teach grammar and literature throughout the year. The grammar and composition will include grammatical structure of sentences, the writing process, and composition development. The student will study form and function of the parts of speech, appropriate English usage, and library skills. The course will include study of paragraph development and will also prepare students for the STAAR exam. The student will continue to develop compositions including informative, literary, and expository writing. Literature will be the continued study of literary techniques and terminology while developing increasingly abstract concepts. The student will also study the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee as well as William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.

Accelerated Reader: Students must have at least TEN AR points by the end of each 9 weeks. AR points DO NOT roll over and they are counted as a test grade. Students will have many opportunities after they have completed their work to read their AR book. Our class library day is Thursday of every week.

Remind 101: Throughout the year I will send out reminders to students using the Remind 101 app. Remind 101 is a FREE app that allows educators to safely send reminders to students regarding upcoming tests and assignments that are due. How it works: Students must enroll in my course either by email or by text message, then I will be able to text reminders to a class as a whole or students individually. Remind 101 is completely confidential. No one, not even myself, will be able to students phone numbers and students will not be allowed to text their peers using remind 101. I encourage parents to enroll in remind101, too. Below are the steps to enroll:

Text message enrollment:

  1. Text @eng1cmhs to 81010

Email enrollment:

  1. Send an email to (the subject line and message can be left blank)

Classroom Policies and Procedures:

  1. Be in your seat and working when the tardy bell rings
  2. Treat everyone with dignity and respect
  3. Follow all procedures outlined by the Caddo Mills district student handbook
  4. This is a “no whining zone”
  5. The teacher will dismiss class, not the bell

Consequences for not following classroom policies and procedures:

  1. Verbal warning
  2. Action Plan, Parental contact, and detention
  3. Disciplinary referral

*Severe Clause- Any student who uses profanity, fights, damages school property (this includes property of the teacher and other students), or is disrespectful (as defined by the teacher) will be sent to the office IMMEDIATELY.

Required Supplies and Materials:

●1 composition notebook (not a spiral)

●Pens/pencils

●Highlighters

Students may also bring the following items to supply the classroom : A box of tissues, ream of printer paper, extra pack of pencils/pens, sticky notes, glue sticks, map pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, construction paper, colored printer paper (bright or pastel), germ-x, index cards, etc.

Grading Guidelines:

Category / Description / Percentage of Grade
Daily work / Class discussions, journals, bellwork, exit slips, essay, assigned homework, and other work completed in class / 40%
Assessments / Tests, quizzes, projects, essays, and other culminating assessments / 60%

*There will be extra credit opportunities at the end of each 9 weeks for the students to bring 5 words and an image that goes with each word to put on the word wall.

Proper Heading for papers:

All papers will follow proper format and will be at the top left of the page (start on the first line). See format below.

Student’s name Class ID number

Mrs. Baylus

English I Class period

Date

Make up work and Late work:

Pink-Slip Homework Plan

Homework is an important, however, I rarely assign homework. I realize students have seven other classes they attend, jobs, duties at home, extracurriculars, etc. So, although I don’t ASSIGN homework, many times I will give students the opportunity to take home unfinished class work and turn it in the following day. This allows students extra practice on skills and will help them build mastery. It also helps them build personal responsibility.

Each time a student is missing an assignment I will ask him or her to fill out a slip. I will collect the slip and keep it on file. As per school policy, students will have one day, “grace period”, to turn in the missing assignment before being placed on ICU. 10pts. is deducted if the assignment is late.

My goal is to hold the students responsible for their work. I also want to keep you informed of your child’s progress so that we can work together to help him or her be as successful as possible.

The Power of ICU is a communication program that tracks students missing assignments. A school-wide shared document helps teachers and administrators communicate with each other as well as with the students and their parents. Students understand that if they have a missing assignment, their grades will need attention. Refusing to give zeroes is the foundation of this process. Students will only be allowed to redo assignments and tests below a 70. Students must attend a reteach with the teacher before being placed on ICU. A maximum grade of 70 can be earned for the redo. Honors classes can redo assignments and tests for a 70 if the grade is below a 70. Students that have missing assignments will have one day of remind to turn in or complete the assignment. If the student does not meet this timeline, then the student will be added to the ICU list. The maximum grade for all late work will be a 70. All assignments on ICU must be completed within 5 school days of being placed on the ICU list. Students that are absent will follow the district makeup attendance policy for all absent work. If a student has an unexcused absence, the maximum grade for absent work will be for a maximum grade of 70. If a student is placed on the ICU list, the parents will be notified through text messaging or email. ICU will be held before school, during tutoring times, and / or during lunches.

CHEATING, PLAGIARISM, & ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:

Plagiarism is the use of another person’s original ideas or writing as one’s own without giving credit to the true author. Plagiarism will be considered cheating and the student will be subject to academic disciplinary action that may include loss of credit for the work in question. Students found to have engaged in academic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary penalties as well as academic penalties.

Tardy Policy:As per school policy, the first time a student is late to class, they receive a warning. They also will need to sign and date the tardy clipboard that is posted on the inside of the classroom door. The second time they are late, they will serve a detention. The third time, the student will be given three detentions. If a student is late to first period, they will immediately be sent to the office to check in and fill out a tardy slip.

Food and Drink:

As per school policy, no food will be allowed in the classroom. Only clear water bottles with lids will be accepted.

Bathroom Passes:

Each student will be given three bathroom passes per semester. Bathroom passes may not be used during the first or last 15 minutes of class, or during teacher instruction. In order to use a bathroom pass, a student should raise his or her hand and ask the teacher for permission then the teacher will sign the pass. If a student has left over passes, they can turn them in at the end of the semester for extra points on their lowest test grade. Each bathroom pass is worth 5pts for a total of 15 pts possible.

Technology:

As per school policy, CMISD is now allowing staff and students to Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) - laptops, smart phones, eReaders, iPads, etc. to use at specified times during the school day. Use of devices to enhance learning in the classroom will be pursued when deemed appropriate at individual teacher discretion. Therefore, students with smartphones may use them for curriculum-related tasks if allowed by the teacher. If a student is using his or phone inappropriately, it will be confiscated and taken to the office where the student can pay $15 to have it returned at the end of the school day.

Please return the signed section to Mrs. Baylus’s class.

I/we have read and fully understand Mrs. Baylus’s class expectations and grading policies.

Print student’s name______

Signature______

Date______

Print Parent’s/Guardian’s Name______

Signature______

Date______

Parent Contact Information:

Email:______

Home phone/cell:______

*Please let me know which method of contact you prefer