English I
Atascocita High School 2013-2014
Miss Hayley Pennington
Contact Information:
Email:
Contact Number: (281) 641-7790
Room: 1906
Grade Breakdown:
Daily grades/Quizzes (Formative) = 40%
Tests/Essays/Projects/Timed writings (Summative) = 60%
Year at a Glance:
First Quarter – Odyssey + assorted reading, narrative writing
Second Quarter – Romeo and Juliet, research, expository writing
Third Quarter – Of Mice and Men, literary analysis
Fourth Quarter – Alas Babylon, argument
*Grammar and Vocabulary Workshop will also be a consistent focus in each quarter. Students are expected to keep up with the daily grammar and vocabulary notes in the required binder (see Supplies).
Classroom Policies:
In addition to school-wide policies (dress code, no cell phones/food in the classroom, zero tolerance for bullying, etc), I have three rules in my classroom. In order to achieve the utmost culture of learning, both teacher and students must:
® Be on time.
® Be prepared.
® Be respectful.
Discipline policy:
If you are having issues/concerns in my classroom, I would like to work with you first! Let me help you. If discipline problems arise, my method of management is as follows:
1. conference with the student
2. contact the parent
3. discipline referral
4. conference with the student, parent, and principal
Restroom Use:
Students are expected to use the restrooms as necessary during the period transition time. A student may use the restroom during class only in the case of an emergency. This rule ensures the campus policy of bell-to-bell instruction. If a student needs to have unrestricted access to the restroom, please ensure a note is filed with the nurse from his/her physician and the student carries the pass with him/her every day on his/her person.
Homework:
Students can expect to consistently have homework over each grammar unit. Students will also be expected to complete outside of class reading and writing.
Late Work/Make Up Work:
Work that is not turned in when it’s due is considered late and follows the AHS late work policy (75, 60, 50, 0). If a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to get the work that he/she missed. Even if you are absent on the due date of a major essay, it needs to be submitted electronically, or it’s late. If you miss school on the review day before a test, you are still expected to take it when you return to school.
TurnItIn.Com:
Throughout the year, students will be required to submit essays to TurnItIn.com. This is a program that checks student work for plagiarism. **Please note: Students are required to bring a printed copy of their essay to class, in addition to submitting the essay to TurnItIn. Missing one or both of these components will result in a late grade. I will not print student essays or let them type essays in class. There are computers and printers available in the library for any student to use before and after school.
Plagiarism:
We do not in any way tolerate academic dishonesty. Students caught plagiarizing will face serious academic consequences including a zero on the assignment. Assignments receiving a zero for plagiarism may not be reassessed. The student is also subject to a referral to his/her principal for further disciplinary action.
Reassessment:
Students are only allowed to reassess one summative grade per nine weeks, and the two grades will be averaged together. Students have one week from when the grade is posted to reassess. You are required to make corrections on the original assessment in tutorials first and complete any missing work before a reassessment will be provided. This includes assignments that are already zeroes for being late. In addition, the reassessment form provided by the campus must be filled out and signed by a parent. Reassessment days are Monday and Wednesday per my tutoring schedule (below).
Supply List:
Required: Binder, paper, pens (blue or black), bright colored pen (for editing), highlighters
Binder divider labels: Grammar, Notes, Writing Portfolio
Requested: Extra pens, paper, dry erase markers, or pencils
Optional: Index cards (for vocabulary) and Post-It notes for annotation. Personal copies of the novels and plays we will be reading this year are useful so students can mark directly in the book. **I highly recommend a flash drive for essays and projects.
Online Textbook:
This year we have decided not to issue students an individual literature textbook. Students will have class sets available on campus, as well as access to the online textbook at home. If students do not have access to the internet, they can always use computers on campus. If this is going to be a problem, please contact Denise Burton at to have a textbook issued to your student for home use.
Tutoring Times:
Please come see me or email me if you have any questions or need any help. I am here for you!! All freshman English I teachers have scheduled tutoring times, and students may attend any teacher’s tutoring session; however, work must be turned in to the student’s individual teacher. My tutoring times are Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 2:50 – 3:20 or by appointment. No appointments Monday morning or Friday afternoon. All parents and students are welcome to call or email with questions or concerns throughout the year.
Welcome to AHS! I look forward to a great year!