Course Overview: Students will continue to familiarize themselves with the English language, proper grammar, and verb tenses. They will also learn to use a dictionary and strategies for learning new vocabulary in context. They will plan, draft and complete written compositions on a regular basis. They will edit their papers for clarity, engaging language, and the correct use of the conventions and mechanics of written English to produce final, error-free drafts. Students will read extensively in multiple genres from world literatures. English language learners will continue to develop listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills in the target language.
Course Objectives: Using a variety of literature, students will develop academic and general vocabularies using increasingly complex grammatical structures. With appropriately scaffolded support students will analyze and respond to open ended questions about written texts and visual representations.
Essential Questions:
- How are reading and writing connected?
- How does a process (writing) relate to a product (story)?
- How does literature reflect culture and life experiences?
- How do my language, culture and history affect the language, culture and literature of the United States?
- What skills will I need to pass the STAAR test?
Classroom Expectations:
- Be present every day
- Be seated and working when the bell rings
- Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
- All students will complete all assignments with a high level of quality
Materials Needed:
- 1 – ½ inch Three ring binder with 5 tab dividers
- Loose leaf paper
- Pens (blue or black)
- Red Pen (for editing only)
- #2 Pencil (For STAAR testing)
- Eraser
- Highlighter
- *English / Native language dictionary
Grading Policy: Attendance, classroom participation, completion of all assignments and performance on exams are all-important contributors to successful completion of this course. The student’s final grade per six weeks will be calculated using a total numeric average using the following grade scale.
- Warm Up = 10%
- Daily Work = 20%
- S.S.R. = 10%
- Unit Tests = 20%
- Major assignments (e.g. tests, projects, essays) = 40%
Tests & Benchmark Exams: Tests will be given at the end of each unit of study. Benchmark and state assessments will be given according to published schedules.
Make-Up and Late Work Policies
- Assignments turned in after the beginning of class will be considered late.
- Assignments will not be accepted more than three days after the due date.
- All late work between one and three days late will be penalized to a maximum grade of 70% of the assigned value.
- Work missed due to excused absences will follow school policy of allowing one day to make up work for each day the student is absent without penalty, beginning with the first day of return to school.
Extra Help: I will be available after school every day. Please bring a graded assignment with you to tutoring.
Lanier English Department policy on
PLAGIARISM AND COLLUSION
You commit plagiarism if...
- ...you fail to acknowledge the sources of any information in your paper which is not either common knowledge or personal knowledge.
- ...you fail to acknowledge direct quotation either by using quotation marks (short passages) or indentation (longer passages).
- ...you too closely paraphrase the original words of your source.
- ...you borrow the ideas, examples, or structure of your source without acknowledging it.
- ...you take, buy, or receive a paper written by someone else and present it as your own.
- ...you use one paper for two different courses, or re-use a paper previously submitted for credit, without the prior approval of both instructors.
You commit collusion if...
- ...you allow someone else to write your paper.
- ...you write a paper together with another student who has the same assignment,
and both papers are identical in part, paraphrase one another, or are substantially similar
in their ideas, examples, or structure.
The minimum penalty in any case of plagiarism or collusion is a zero for the assignment and parental notification. The opportunity to redo the assignment can b requested at a student, parent, and teacher conference.
Please sign below to indicate that both you and your child understand our class policies, especially those regarding the penalties for plagiarism, collusion, and late work.
Student: I have read the syllabus and Mr. Koob has explained it. I fully understand its content and intend to follow all class expectations and policies.
______
(Print Name) (Signature) (Date)
______
(Student I.D.#)(Locker Combination)
Parent or Legal Guardian: My student and I have read the syllabus. I understand its content. My son/daughter will be expected to follow all class expectations and policies.
______
(Print Name) (Signature) (Date)
______from ______to ______
(Phone Number)( The best time to reach this number)
Parent please initial one of the following statements:
“I give permission for my child to watch R-rated movies that are relevant to the course content.
“I want my child to be given alternate library assignments when R-rated movies are shown.”
Teacher’s Initials ______Received on ______