English IIICourse DescriptionLanier High School2014-2015
Fred Dagar
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30-9:00
COURSE OVERVIEW English III emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills, close reading techniques, and effective writing skills. Students will practice using accepted English conventions and develop vocabulary skills through reading and writing. They will generate many kinds of writing which include: timed and untimed essays (narrative, expository, analytical, and persuasive), summaries and journal entries. Students will also prepare for the PSAT and other required testing. Active class participation by all students is an essential part of the course.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS– It is the goal of this course for all students to be able to answer these questions:
- What is the relationship between a text and a reader?
- How does development of good writing skills foster understanding of one’s relationship to the world?
- How does issue-oriented reading and writing help develop and define supportable opinion?
- How is the effect of writing strengthened by word choice, sentence structure, and a wide variety of rhetorical strategies?
- What is the nature of the human condition as reflected in the literature we read?
- How can reading, writing, and visual media be used to examine our understanding of human diversity?
GRADING POLICY
The Lanier English Department will use a weighted grading policy. Daily grades will count as one grade. Quizzes and minor projects will count as two grades. Essays, major projects, and tests will count as three grades. All teachers will follow this protocol to ensure consistency throughout the campus.
STUDENT ABSENCES AND MAKE-UP WORK
- It is the policy of Sidney Lanier High School to allow one day to make up work for each day the student is absent from the time the student returns to class.
- It is the responsibility of the student or the student’s parent to request the opportunity to make up class work missed due to absence. The request for make-up work should be directed to the teacher.
- Excellent attendance will be rewarded.
LATE WORK POLICY
A student who fails to turn in an assignment by the required due date is given 3 additional days to turn in the assignment. Thereafter, he or she will receive a maximum of 70% and/or an alternate assignment.
CLASS MATERIALS: (Bring these items to class daily.)
standard composition book
pens, pencils
highlighters
notebook paper
HOMEWORK: Homework in either reading or writing will be assigned weekly.
TUTORING: I am available for tutoring anytime with an appointment.
ASSESSMENTS
Ongoing assessments, including tests, essays, and projects, will guide further study and give students an opportunity to demonstrate concept and skill mastery.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
1. Students will arrive on time with necessary assignments and materials and remain in the classroom for the entire period.
2. Students will treat all members of the class with respect and courtesy.
3. Students will participate fully and appropriately in all class activities, discussions,and projects.
4. STUDENTS WILL NOT BRING FOOD OR BEVERAGES (other than water in non-spill bottles) INTO THE CLASSROOM.
5. Appropriate behavior as outlined in the student handbook is expected.
6. Students will demonstrate PRIDE, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY in accordance with PBIS guidelines.
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 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.
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Parents,
The information on the attached sheet will help me stay in contact with you during the semester. Signatures on this sheet will let me know that you and your son/daughter have read the policies and procedures for English III.
I truly look forward to working with your student in English III. This is a demanding course, and I know that you will be interested in your student’s progress. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.
Sincerely,
Fred Dagar
English IIIStudent Information F.Dagar
NAME______CLASS PERIOD: 1 2 4 5 7 8
MAILING ADDRESS ______
HOME PHONE NUMBER ______CELL PHONE NUMBER ______
EMAIL ADDRESS ______
PARENT/GUARDIAN OF STUDENT ______
PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME ______
DAY TIME PHONE ______
PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME ______
DAY TIME PHONE ______
*PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE ______
*STUDENT SIGNATURE ______
*Signatures indicate that the student and parent have read and understood the course description and the policy on plagiarism and collusion for English.
Do you have a job? _____ If so, where do you work?______
List extra-curricular activities, clubs and organizations to which you belong both on and off campus.
Do you have computer access at home? ______Internet access at home? _____