Welcome to English IV! – British Literature
The Basics
Hey everyone! My name is Mrs. Maggie Bowman Hughes, and I’m extremely excited to be able to teach you this semester. I hope that you will find this class to be both informative and interesting. English IV is a course revolving around British Literature. We will be reading novels, short stories, non-fiction articles, and poetry this semester from all over Great Britain and its surrounding countries. Along with literature, we will also be learning grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills. I would also like to reiterate that there will be reading assignments outside of class, and that we will be doing things BESIDES the Graduation Project. We, of course, we will also be working on the Senior Graduation Project and Research Paper in this class. Know that this will be a major part of your final grade in this class and will affect whether or not you will be graduating. This is also an NCFE class (which means you must take the North Carolina Final Exam). You do not have to pass the exam to pass the class, but if your grade is close to failing and your NCFE grade is low, it could cause you not to pass.
Canvas and Use of MacBooks
Since we have MacBooks, most assignments for my class will be completed using them. We have access to a program called Canvas, which allows you to upload assignments, take online assessments, and receive quick feedback on grades. I will be using this almost exclusively in my classroom. In the first couple weeks of class, I will be providing you with tutorials on how to use this program. If at any time during the year you would like to know what we’re working on during class, please check Canvas, which I update constantly. Also, if you’re absent, you should still be able to complete your work online at home. Because of this, I’m going to ask that you bring your MacBook, charger, and some earbuds with you to class daily. If you do not have these items and you need them that day, you might have to complete an alternate assignment. Also, if you use your MacBook or other technologies incorrectly, you will lose this privilege and your grade might suffer.
Remind and Keeping in Contact
Parents and guardians, please sign up for Parent Portal on PowerSchool, which is an easy way for you to follow your student’s progress and grades in class. I update Canvas daily with due dates and grades, but check PowerSchool for your true grade in the class. Email or call me at any time with any questions or concerns that you may have. If you have an email address, please make sure that it is put into PowerSchool along with a working phone number.
I will be using Remind this year which is a way to send out reminders and information through text messages that can be received directly on your phone. I promise that the messages will be kept brief! Messages will be for little things like a reminder to turn in work, as well as for big things, like when an essay is due or a test is tomorrow. Messages can be sent as emails or text messages, which just depends on your personal preference. All students SHOULD sign-up for Remind. I would like to encourage parents and guardians to sign-up as well, so that you can stay well informed. If you are having trouble signing up for Remind, please let me know!
To sign up for Remind, text this password @hughes2ndb or @hughes3rdb to: 81010
You must type the @ for the password to work. Please reply back with your first and last name when prompted.
You can also use this link: remind.com/join/hughes2ndb or remind.com/join/hughes3rdb
Grading Scale
Grades are weighted as follows:
35% Graduation Project & Research Paper
25% Tests
20% Quizzes
20% Homework & Classwork Assignments,
Class Participation
Contact Information
Mrs. Maggie Bowman Hughes
Email:
School Phone: (704) – 873 – 2182
School Website: http://iss.schoolwires.com/Page/55946
Planning Period: 1st Block
Please fill out this portion and return to Mrs. Hughes.
Student’s Name: ______
Grade Level: ______Block: ______Did you (Student) sign up for Remind? Yes No
I understand that in order to pass this class, it is my responsibility to ask for help when I need it and to turn in my
work when it is due. I understand that Mrs. Hughes expects a high level of work from me. Yes
Did you read and understand the assigned due dates for the Graduation Project? Yes
Which of the following items do you think that you will need help with this year?
Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Studying / Taking Tests, Quizzes Motivation
Grammar / Spelling Completing, Turning in Assignments Other: ______
Student Signature: ______
Parent / Guardians’ Name(s): ______
Relationship to Student: ______
Phone Number(s): ______
Email(s): ______
Preferred Method of Contact: Call Text Email Conference
Did you read and understand the assigned due dates for the Graduation Project? Yes
Do you and your student have access to the Internet? Yes No Sometimes
Which of the following items do you think that your student will need help with this year?
Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Studying / Taking Tests, Quizzes Motivation
Grammar / Spelling Completing, Turning in Assignments Other: ______
Parent / Guardian Signature: ______