IB Language A2 2016-2017 Cover Sheet
Instructor: Ms. Dent Phone: 348-5526email:
Course Description/Outcomes and Objectives: This year-long course fulfills the English Literature elective credit and the General English elective credit for graduation. The course is most appropriate for college- bound juniors and seniors who wish to expand their rhetorical skills, develop analytical skills, improve expository writing, hone oral commentary skills and prepare for college-level work. The assigned reading and writing is extensive, includes fiction materials, and explores various genres, cultures, literary periods, styles, and themes. Students will be instructed in the skills needed to take the IB Language A tests: Oral Commentary (December), Paper One (May), and Paper Two (May). Use of computer word processors is required. Successful completion (A-B) of IB Language A1 is strongly recommended prior to enrollment. You may have 5-10 hours of homework per week. This course is geared toward strong readers and writers highly motivated to do top quality work.
We will read several important works of high literary merit. Because this is a college-level curriculum, some of these works do include mature themes. Students in IB Language A2 should be prepared to read, discuss, and analyze this material with maturity.
The IB Exam will be administered in May 2017. Deposits for the IB Exams are due in October. Students who take the IB Language A2 Exam and do well have the potential of earning college credit and/or advanced placement in college classes. If you have questions about the fees or scheduling, please contact our esteemed IB Coordinator, Ms. Beach at 970-348-5489.
GRADES: Parents and students should check grades via the Greeley West Infinite Campus viewer.
Grades are based on a traditional grading scale:
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
69-60 D
59 F
Your grade is a result of your effort. It is a cause and effect relationship--not chance!
This course has a weighted grade status for your Grade Point Average.
A=5.0 pointsB=4.0 pointsC=3.0 pointsD=1.0
CLASS SUPPLIES: Remember to bring all materials with you to class each day.
spiral dedicated to this class onlytext books/handouts
highlighters (yellow, pink, green) writing utensils (blue/black pen, pencil)
planner
CLASS POLICIES
Grading and Assessments
You will be graded on homework, essays, class activities, quizzes, projects, and oral/written exams.
Assignments will include reading literature, analysis of literature, reading about literature, examples of literature, writing about literature, speaking about literature, and then some literature.
There are no re-testing opportunities.
To pass this course, you will definitely need to
earn at least of 60% of the total points available.
read and respond to all readings and vocabulary.
be an active part in class.
enjoy each and every moment in this classroom...or at least most of them.
LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Daily assignments and quizzes measure how prepared you are on a daily basis; failed assignments and quizzes cannot be retaken.
Make Up Policy- Any make-up workwill be discussed/assigned during Intervention.
Excused absences
Work due on the date of the absence is due when your foot hits the tile.
Missed class work from an excused absence should be made up within two days of your absence. It is your responsibility to ask for work assigned on the date of absence ON THE DAY YOU RETURN TO SCHOOL.
Some activities completed in class are unique to the time and elements in which they are presented, so you may have an alternate assignment to make up the points associated.
Missed quizzes must be taken on the date of return, or you will earn a zero for that assignment.
Missed tests will be scheduled before or after school, during lunch or Homeroom. Make sure to stop in and see me on the first day of your return to schedule that test, or you will earn a zero.
Late work goes to the bottom of my grading stack. If you have a late assignment, your grade will probably not be updated immediately due the large about of regular assignments that I grade every day. If you have an extenuating circumstance such as eligibility concerns or parental concerns, please let me know, and I will do my best to accommodate you.
Work due on the date of an unexcused absence will be accepted BUT NOT RECORDED IN THE GRADEBOOK. This includes major projects and tests!
Work assigned the date of an unexcused absence will not be accepted.
If you are in the building but not in class during class time, you must have a school excused absence. In this case, a parental excuse will not allow you to make up the work due or the work assigned during the block you were absent.
Responsibility and Participation
Have fun! Have a good attitude! In the wise words of my beloved niece Kallie, “Don’t rub your meanies off on the rest of us.”
I expect you to be here; absences will be a problem in this class.
I expect you to do your fair share of group work. Often we have so much to cover that we “divide and conquer” the material. If you don’t do your part, the entire class misses out. We need to be able to rely on you.
You will be expected to read, write, edit and share your writing with other students. Peer editors are expected to be thoughtful and considerate of each other.
You are expected to come to class each day with all required materials and assignments.
Discipline and Class Rules
An atmosphere of respect and a commitment to learning will pervade this classroom; therefore, all rules and procedures of GreeleyWestHigh School will be enforced. Any additional rules pertaining to this class will be implemented as necessary.
Please don't bring any food to this classroom!
Attendance/Tardies
See Greeley West Attendance Policy as stated in the student handbook.
Tardies
If you find yourself outside the classroom door when the bell rings, plan on staying two minutes after the release bell with me. Say, just for the sake of saying, you have a perpetual issue getting here on time…your parents, who love you, and I will make a new plan for you. Still not motivated…detention is in your future.
Absences
If you are absent, your parent or guardian has 48 hours to call to excuse you. On the sad occasion that you should accumulate 16 single classes of unexcused absences, you and your parents will be contacted by the district with a plan to help you.
HallPass
A hall pass policy regarding the first and last ten minutes of class will be followed. Students are not permitted to leave the classroom during this time. Should you need to use the hall pass, you will need to double check that you have your student ID in hand. The last few pages of the planner serve as your Homeroom pass where you will fill out the time, date, and destination in pen, and then get an instructor’s signature. Please note that you have limited destinations which sadly do not include the vending machine, your Boo’s classroom, Stoner’s Corner or other undesirable locations. Plan on using the hall pass no more than three times during the course of the semester.
Specific Expectations
Be to class on time.
Be prepared with all materials
Do your own work. Cheating will not be tolerated. Plagiarism, copying homework, playing the system in a naughty way and cheating on quizzes and/or assessment tests may result in a zero for you and your co-conspirators, a student/teacher conference, parent notification, and a disciplinary referral. All work is regularly checked to ensure that your work is original and no internet or other materials are being used without proper citations.
Treat everyone with respect. Do not disrespect or interrupt class by talking, acting out, or calling attention to yourself. Offensive language, derogatory jokes, or inappropriate comments will not be tolerated.
Cellular phones and other electronic devices are a constant disruption. I don’t want to see your electronic menagerie. Your cell phone should be turned off, out of sight and not a disruption. If the phone rings, you are text messaging, you are taking photos, or you are looking longingly in the direction of your cell phone, the phone will be confiscated until the end of the day. You may pick up your phone in the office after school.
After all these rules, rules, rules, we are all in this together to help build your amazing future. Nothing is more important than that.
1
IB English Honor Code
Plagiarism is using another person’s ideas, words, or opinions as if they were your own. Plagiarism is copying another person’s work without documenting it, whether it is published or unpublished. You must document accurately your sources whether you are quoting directly, paraphrasing, or summarizing (The Write Way 2002). The MLA style of documentation is most common in literary settings; this information is available in the Writers INC textbook.
There is no substitute for reading each work of literature assigned. However, I recognize that many of these works are challenging, and much of this literature can be read in more than one way. It is my best hope that after you have read each work of literature in this course you will access and utilize reference materials and criticism. There is no shame in researching information about a novel, author, or work of literature. But when it comes time to write, present, or complete assignments for these works, you must give credit where credit is due.
As a student:
- First, I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to keep documentation from every part of the writing process; I will save notes, early drafts, revisions, etc.
- All work and assignments I complete, including homework, exams, poetry and essays…anything I claim as I own, will be my original work.
- I agree to cite and/or give credit to any sources I use in my work. When using sources such as Cliffs Notes, literary criticism, the Internet, reference materials, etc., I agree to cite or acknowledge the works I have used for reference.
I understand if I violate this code, I will be expected to notify my parents; the incident will be written up as a disciplinary referral for the IB Honor Code; I will receive a zero on the assignment/assessment and/or related assignments, and each of my teachers will be notified that I cheated.
My signature below reflects my agreement to abide by the IB English honor code:
Student Signature: ______Date: ______
1
COVER SHEET
SIGNATURE FORM
Student Name: ______Grade: ______
Block: ______Class: IB Language A2Teacher: Ms. Dent
Please sign the student portion of this form (including the honor code on the back), share the information in the cover sheet with your parent(s)/guardian(s), and have a parent/guardian sign the bottom of this form. Return this signed page to me by the second week of class and keep the remainder of the cover sheet in your notebook.
STUDENT PORTION
I have read and understand the information on the cover sheet for this class. I agree to adhere to the policies set forth for the class and acknowledge that I am aware of the penalties for not doing so.
Student Name (Print) ______Block ______
Student Signature: ______Date: ______
PARENT/GUARDIAN PORTION
I have read the cover sheet for this course and will provide any support needed to assure that my son/daughter will succeed both academically and behaviorally.
I understand that cell phones are not to be in use during class time. I will leave voice messages for my child which can be listened to at a more appropriate time, or in the case of an emergency I will contact my child through the main office. I understand that if my child uses his/her cell phone in class, it will be confiscated until a parent or guardian claims it.
I am aware that every student in this course is expected to take the AP Literature Exam in the spring, and I am prepared to pay the exam fee or get in touch with the Greeley West Advanced Academics office to seek any opportunities for financial assistance.
______
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
Contact Phone Numbersemail address
1