English Eleven

Miss A. King, Instructor

Room: 404

Conference and Planning Period: 2nd Block (9:08-10:46 a.m.)

Textbook(s): (Grammar) Language Network; (Literature) Elements of Literature, 6th Course

(Required Reading Book – A Lesson Before Dying; other to be announced)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course covers the use and structure of standard English and writing skills. American literature will also be covered. All types of literature including magazines, textbooks, and novels will be used to emphasize literary elements and develop critical thinking skills.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • study and use the correct application of grammar
  • identify and use the modes and skills of writing
  • read and respond to literature and know literary terms and elements
  • identify and use research tools and materials
  • write various documents used in the job application process

For further details pertaining to the curriculum of this course, refer to the Alabama Course of Study.

CLASS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Section One: Class Policies

  1. Attention – Students are expected to follow school rules along with my classroom rules.
  2. Attendance – You are expected to attend all classes. If and when you are absent, I must receive a pink slip or another school board accepted excuse stating that you are excused. Make-upwork MUST be turned in by the THIRD DAY you have been back in school if you want to receive credit.
  3. Tardiness – If you are tardy, I must receive an official pass from the office or from the teacher whose class you just left. Your tardy will also be documented. I do and will follow the school’s tardy policy.

Section Two: Classroom Procedures

(These are just a few of the classroom procedures. You will learn of others throughout the semester.)

  1. Written Assignments – All papers must be typed in 12 point, Times New Roman font and double-spaced having 1-inch margins. If you do not have computer access, let me know in ADVANCE so we can make arrangements. If I am not alerted in advance, you will not be given credit.
  2. Assignments – Assignments are due at the BEGINNING of class. If you do not turn in an assignment on the day it is due and you were present on that day, you will be given a ZERO. There are NO EXCEPTIONS unless a parent(s) notifies me of extreme circumstances responsible for late or incomplete work.
  3. Tests – All test and written assignments must be written in BLACK or DARK BLUE ink or it will not be given a grade with or without notice.

CLASSROOM RULES

  1. Bring ALL required materials to class.
  2. Be in YOUR seat when the bell rings.
  3. Follow directions the FIRST time they are given.
  4. Be QUIET when someone else is speaking.
  5. Respect others at ALL times.

See other side

REQUIRED MATERIALS

For an organized experience in this class, you must have the following:

  1. a 1-inch or 2-inch three ring binder with dividers (warm-ups, journal entries, grammar notes, grammar work, literary notes, literary work, writing notes/handouts, and misc. handouts)
  2. a black or dark blue pen for tests and writing assignments; a red pen for grading papers; a pencil for scan-tron tests (only)

At any time I may add more required materials to the list. However, if I do so, I will give you ample time to get the materials by informing you in advance.

REQUIREMENTS

There will be individual and group assignments that must be completed. At any time, I may add, delete, or modify the assignments of this course. Students will be asked to:

  • keep a notebook
  • completemajor projects
  • complete the entire research paper process
  • read A Lesson Before Dying as outside reading (There will be no discussion in class. Books will be rented to students for $3 dollars. If the book is lost, students will have to pay $12 dollars to have the book replaced.)

GRADING SCALE

There is a paper attached detailing the grading system used in my classroom. Please refer to it to find out how to calculate your child’s grades. As the teacher, I have the right to raise of lower grades based on subjective measures. Below is the grading scale for the course:

A100 – 90D69 - 60

B89 – 80E59 or below

C79 – 70

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Grades in this course are accumulated by points. Tests, projects, and essays are 60% of the total grade. All other coursework including classwork, homework, quizzes, etc. are 40% of the total grade.

Daily Participation Grade (50 pts a week)850 points

Notebook (checked twice a semester)400 points

Novel Test / Project200 points

Research Paper500 points

Responding to Literature200 points

(More assignments will be added)

DISCIPLINE POLICY

If you do not follow the classroom rules stated on the previous sheet, I have put in place a few consequences. They do not follow a particular order:

[1] exclusion from class participation, [2] writing assignment, [3] deprivation of a reward, [4] exclusion from being the class student of the week, [5] call to parent, [6] immediately sent to the office

POSSIBLE REWARDS

[1] Praise daily, [2] positive notes sent home (at random), [3] “Raise a Grade Coupon” (monthly), [4] educational movie and party for the class for outstanding discipline and academic achievement (every 9 weeks), [5] various other perks throughout the year

Remember…

Read your syllabus and the enclosed course calendar daily.

You may or may not be reminded about assignments. Keep your syllabus and course calendar in your notebook at all times. They will count as a huge part of your notebook checks.