Ms. Camp’s Syllabus (2009-2010)
Pre-AICE Literature
Course: 1005380
Ms. Camp
Room 8-28
I. Welcome Message:
Welcome to your Pre-AICE course. I am delighted to guide you on a journey of thought and discovery as we read selections of literature from throughout the world. I do have several expectations for you while in my course:
- Be on time to my class.
- Do your own work to the best of your ability.
- Be respectful of other people’s opinions, as disagreements will happen.
- Learn something new about yourself and/or the world and apply it to your life!
II. Goals of the Course
This course is designed to be extremely challenging for a tenth grade student. As a Pre-AICE/honors course the intention is to lay a foundation for what will be expected in AICE and dual enrollment courses during your junior and senior years of high school. The goals of this course are to provide skills, information, and tools for critically analyzing literature and events in the context of global traditions. In specific terms to encourage and develop a student’s ability to:
- Enjoy the experience of reading literature
- Understand and respond to different literary texts in different forms and from different periods and cultures
- Communicate an informed personal response appropriately and effectively
- Explore the contribution of literature to an understanding of areas of human concern
III. Classroom Routine
This class is an opportunity to learn. In order for all students to take full advantage of this opportunity the following procedures must be followed at all times.
1.Students will be seated and ready to work when the bell rings. NMHS has a One and Done Policy on tardies. You will receive one warning, after which you will be referred to Student Management.
2.Students are expected to remain in their assigned seats for the duration of the class period (unless otherwise noted by the instructor). Students may get up from their seats to sharpen their pencils or turn in finished work at any time, UNLESS the teacher is lecturing or addressing the class as a whole. I dismiss NOT the bell!
3.The teacher’s desk is off limits to all students.
4.If you are late to class bring your pass with you. Missing class to stay with another teacher, unless prearranged, is an unexcused tardy/absence.
5.I will give you three passes each quarter to use for whatever reason you need. In addition to the pass you must have your planner and you must sign out on the sign out sheet. All three of these steps must be complied with in order for you to maintain pass privileges. No Planner, No Pass, Period.
6.My classroom is not a lounge. Before school and after school hours are reserved for students who need assistance with their class work – NOT for socializing!
IV. Classroom Rules
- Have your required materials before the bell rings.
- Do not talk at inappropriate times.
- Raise your hand if you have a question, comment, or concern.
- Never insult another member of the class—physically or verbally.
- Cell phones and electronic devices: According to school policy, cell phones and other electronic devices (including iPods and music players) are not permitted inside my classroom. Most of you own cell phones and music players, but they are not to be taken out during my class at any time.
V.A Day in Ms. Camp’s English Class (from Before Class to End of Class)
1.Look at the whiteboard for today’s required materials (before class begins)
2.Be in seat with your materials out and ready to work (0:00)
3.Begin Word of the Day (WOD) Application (0:00-3:00)
4.Discuss WOD and make any necessary classroom announcements (3:00-6:00)
5.Grammar/Conventions Practice (6:00-15:00)
6.Lesson: reading, writing, note-taking, comprehension strategies, literacy circles (15:00-49:00)
7.Reflection/assign homework, if applicable (49:00-50:00)
* Morning/Afternoon announcements (50:00-55:00 for 1st hour/49:00-50:00 for 6th hour)
VI.Required Materials:
- Three ring binder (1 ½ - 2 inches) with a plastic cover
- One set of notebook dividers (standard 5 subjects)
- 3-ring pencil pouch
- pens (no red ink) and pencils (#2 preferred)
- Post-It notes 3-pack (3 different colors)
- college ruled notebook paper
Recommended Materials:
- flash drive (beneficial for saving written drafts of papers in order to revise and edit before submitting for a grade)
VII. Work Requirements
You will be graded on your work and only your work. Therefore, all work must meet the stated requirements.
1.All assignments must have your name, date, and a title on the top line of each page.
2.All answers must be written in grammatically correct complete sentences.
3. YOU are responsible for getting and making up all work missed due to absences. The Marion County Guidelines state that:“The student shall have one (1) day for each day of absence, excused or unexcused, to make up any work that he/she has missed.”Makeup work is listed on the class website.
4.Notebooks are to be brought to class every day. The teacher reserves the right to check notebooks at anytime for a quiz grade.
5.All work is due at the beginning of the period the day after it is assigned unless otherwise noted by the teacher. Late work is accepted at my discretion and will be deducted 10 points every day that it is late.
VIII. Determination of Grade
1.Grades for each grading period will be based on the following:
Tests/Essays30%
Class Work20%
Projects20%
Quizzes10%
Homework10%
Participation10%
------
100%
2. Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will be given an automatic zero on that assignment. In addition, the school’s student management will take disciplinary action. COPYING SOMEONE’S HOMEWORK IS CHEATING.
3.Bell Work Assignments will be given every day. Reading quizzes will be given at teachers’ discretion. DO ALL ASSIGNED READINGS.
4. Tests MUST be made up. If you know in advance that you will be absent you need to schedule an appointment to take an alternate version of the test early. If you are deathly ill on a test day your parent / guardian should call or email me before the start of school. In order to take the test upon your return you will need to present a doctor’s note or an excused admit from the attendance office.
5. A copy of this syllabus, a calendar of upcoming events, a list of makeup work, a tri-quarterly update of your grade and the rubrics for grading can be found at:
IX. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I notice that I need five (5) dividers for this class. How do I organize those dividers?
A: We will go over these in greater detail next week, but the five (5) sections of the notebook are:
1. Syllabus, Rubrics, and Handouts
2. Word of the Day Words and Vocabulary
3. Grammar Notes and Practices (organized by date)
4. Notes and Non-graded Assignments – ex. Quick Writes (organized by date)
5. Returned graded papers and extra college ruled paper
Q: How exactly are assignments graded in this class?
A: The majority of assignments are graded on one of the four rubrics I use, so you will know exactly what I will be
looking for when I grade your assignment. See the rubric worksheet for more specific information
(will be passed out later this week).
Q: I have to go to the bathroom during class. What do I do?
A: First, you should know that you need to go to the bathroom in between classes. You cannot go to the bathroom during the first 10 minutes of class or the last 10 minutes of class. With the 30 minutes in between, it is my choice if going to the bathroom fits with my lesson. You may not go to the bathroom when we are engaged in instruction or during an exam if you are still working on the test. When you do go to the bathroom, you must sign out on the clipboard by the front door, give me a bathroom pass AND have a planner pass to take with you.
Q: I heard that we take a lot of tests in this class that are given by the County. Is this true?
A: Yes, it is true. You will take approximately 7 FCAs, 4 Demand Writings, FAIR assessments, and 2 Benchmark tests. This of course does not include your 2-day FCAT Exam and your 1-day FCAT Writes! exam. Complaining won’t change it so stay positive and get it done so you will not have to redo it next year!
Q: Listen, I come from Building 24 and cannot make it to this class on time!
A: Stop talking to your friends in between Building 24 and this class. It is the only way you can make it on time.
Q: I get hungry/thirsty during class. Do you allow food or drinks?
A: No, I do not. I did my first year of teaching, but the room was always littered with bottles and wrappers. I like a clean room. Sorry, no food or drink.
Q: Do you have any last recommendations for passing this class and passing my FCAT exam?
A: What you put into this class is what you will get out of it. You may not enjoy reading or writing, but if you take this class seriously and do what I tell you to, you will greatly increase your chances of passing this class and your test. And, don’t forget to be here and get your make up work when you are absent. The average score for someone with more than 10 absences per quarter is a 45%. The average score for someone with less than 2 absences per quarter is 85%.
X. Calendar
Listed below is a summative calendar of the units we will be working on. This calendar is subject to change, especially as the year progresses. Check the calendar on the class website for more updated information.
Unit / Name of Unit / Primary FCAT Standard(s)/Source(s) / Date(s) of Study0 / English II Policies and Procedures
Becoming a “Good” Reader / N/A / 8/24-9/4
1 / Fiction – Pride and Prejudice / Compare/contrast, cause/effect, complex plot elements, main idea, multiple sources, context clues / 9/9-10/29
2 / Non-Fiction / Compare/contrast, cause/effect, main idea, author’s purpose, research skills, multiple sources, validity/reliability, persuasive devices, context clues / 11/2-1/15
3 / FCAT Writes Workshop / 5-paragraph essay practice / 1/19-2/8
4 / FCAT Passage Practice / Mastering FCAT—All standards / 2/16-3/8
5 / Drama/Shakespeare - Much ado About Nothing / Comparison and Contrast Essay / 3/11-4/12
6 / Novel - Ethan Frome / ResearchPaper:Literary & Historical Contexts / 5/10-6/4
7 / Common End of Course Exams / Interpersonal Extended Responses / 6/7-6/9
XI. Textbooks
Pre-AICE does not use a standard textbook; instead we will read a collection of novels, short stories, poems and articles. These materials will be provided for you. Additional reading materials may be checked out from the school or public libraries.
Any questions or concerns feel free to contact me:
NMHS – (352) 671-6010 ex. 59204
I have read and understand the above procedures for Ms. Camp’s Pre-AICE Literature class. Sign below and return for a HW grade.
Student’s Name (Print)______
Student’s Signature______
Parent’s Name (Print)______
Parent’s Signature______