HonorsEnglish 8
Class Information and Procedures
Mrs. Book
2016-2017
About the Class: Honors English will primarily use the Study Sync program which includes consumables and an online curriculum. Study Sync is aligned with the Common Core Standards for reading, writing, oral and written conventions, speaking, and listening. Novels and other supplementary readings will be used in conjunction with Study Sync. The rate, depth, and complexity of material in Honors English differ from that of regular English classes. Honors students are expected to be:
▪Self-Directed Learners who read and write independently, gaining confidence in their ability to think on their own and take responsibility for their own learning.
▪Effective Communicators who are able to relate clear and logical thought, both orally and in writing.
▪Collaborative Workers who are capable of working in both large and small groups in order to produce well-organized, thoughtful products such as speeches or analysis of literature.
▪Constructive Thinkers who reflect on their reading and writing to enhance the outcomes of their work. Students will be engaged in higher level thinking activities such as analysis of characters, evaluation and peer editing of essays, and synthesis of a number of resources into a final written product.
▪Quality Producers/Performers who take pride in all assignments and realize the value of creating an error-free product that is original in substance.
Grading: I grade using a point system. This means that I assign a point value to each assignment. Grades are determined by the percentage of total points earned.
100-93=A, 92-90=A- , 89-88=B+, 87-83=B, 82-80=B-, 79-78=C+, 77-73=C, 72-70=C-
*Any student earning a 70% or below at the end of the trimester may be at risk for placement in a regular English class.
Procedures: No late work will be accepted. Neatness is expected on all assignments. Following an excused absence, you have two days to make-up an assignment. It is a student’s responsibility to find out what, if any, assignments were missed.
Supplies: Students must have a notebook consisting of 80 or more pieces of binder paper for each trimester or a large notebook with 240 or more pages for all three trimesters. I recommend that students find the type that rips out easily, without a perforated edge. Final drafts of essays, tests, and group/individual projects will not be completed in the English notebook. These types of assignments may require white paper or poster board. Additionally, students should always have several dark blue or black pens and a highlighter of any color.
Behavior Rules: In order to provide an environment in which students are able to learn, it’s important to maintain an orderly classroom. For this reason, students are expected to abide by the following rules:
- Keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself.
- No gum chewing, eating, or drinking beverages other than water.
- Respect school property. Students are accountable for property damage.
- Raise your hand and get permission to speak aloud or leave your seat.
- Be seated and prepared to work when the bell rings.
*If a student chooses to violate any of these rules or exhibits behavior that causes a disruption to my ability to teach and/or other students’ ability to learn, the discipline policy will be initiated.
Discipline Policy: This starts at the beginning of each trimester.
A formal warning.
The next occurrence will result in an N in citizenship in Power School
On the next occurrence or a in the case of a major infraction, the student will receive a Due Process Form.
▪Step 1: parent notification
▪Step 2: intervention, parent notification
▪Step 3: class suspension, parent notification
Instances of severe misbehavior may result an immediate class suspension and/or referral to the vice principal.
*Students can always increase a citizenship grade by volunteering in the classroom and exhibit good citizenship.
Citizenship: Students will receive one of the following four citizenship grades:
O-outstanding: Student regularly participates in class, always follows class rules, and exhibits outstanding citizenship.
S-satisfactory: Student participates in class when asked, follows class rules, and exhibits good citizenship.
N-needs improvement: Student has received one step on the Due Process form during the trimester.
U-unsatisfactory: Student has received more than one step on the Due Process form during the trimester.
How to contact me: The best way to contact me is by email. My email address is . I try to respond to emails on the day that I receive them. *Please keep this copy and return the signature page.
*Please keep your “Class Information and Procedures.” Return this page.
I have read Mrs. Book’s “Class Information for Parents and Students.”
Parents Signature: ______
Student Signature: ______
Student Name Printed: ______
Parent Permission for View Class Related Movies
I plan to show two movies this year. Both movies are associated with the Study Sync curriculum. A writing assignment will be given for each movie. If a student does not have parent permission to view a movie, an alternative assignment will be provided.
- Matilda Rating-PG: With this movie, students will examine the levels of comedy. It is also adapted from a novel by Roald Dahl. We read “The Landlady” by the same author.
- The Truman Show-PG: Students will use this film to analyze the contrast between utopian ideals and dystopian reality.
My child has permission to view the two movies listed above.
Parent Signature:
______