Welcome Students! I am so excited for a new year and for the opportunity to be your English teacher. This year in Language Arts we will study topics that are interesting and motivating, such as:
How does pride influence someone’s choices?
How can I feel more comfortable and confident in public speaking?
What are the consequences of gossip?
What do I do if I have a crush on someone, but I am unsure that person likes me?
What kind of writing is appropriate for a college admissions essay?
...and others... Through your hard work, you will write more creatively and correctly, you will develop critical thinking skills, and you will reflect on your learning through speaking and listening. Get ready for a great year!
Course Objectives and Outline
This year, students will:
Study the following texts:
various short stories (such as The Scarlet Ibis, The Most Dangerous Game, The Gift of the Magi, and others)
a dystopian novel (possibly Fahrenheit 451, Unwind, The Giver, Anthem, and others)
various poems
Shakespearean Drama, Much Ado About Nothing and/or Romeo and Juliet
Literary Non-Fiction, The Other Side of the Sky or other memoir texts
Read and respond to Informational Texts (news articles) from a variety of sources, including Newsela.com.
Write argumentative, informational, and narrative pieces
Use grammar as a tool for writing
Use reading strategies to improve reading skills (such as summarizing and annotating)
Participate in class discussions on a variety of subjects
Practice public speaking skills and deliver speeches to an audience
Classroom Expectations/Rules
Behavior should/will not be an issue. Students are expected to:
Show Respect (it is my #1 rule!!!!) Respect your classmates. Respect the environment. Respect the teacher. And respect yourself.
Obey all school and district codes of conduct.
Come to class ready to learn with proper daily materials (such as a binder for the class, a sharpened pencil, and extra paper)
Be on time, in his/her seat, working independently at the bell
Follow directions and participate in every classroom function
Grades
Language Arts skills are assessed on a 4, 3, 2, 1 scale (also known as a rubric). This rubric is out of 10 points:
Level 4 (10 points)- indicates that the student has an advanced mastery and application of the skill
Level 3 (8 points)- shows that the student has mastered the skill on a proficient level
Level 2 (7 points)- means that the student is closer in progressing towards mastery but has not quite reached it
Level 1 (6 points)- indicates that the student needs significant improvement to show mastery
a "0"- shows that the student did not provide enough information to be assessed. (missing assignments)
In the event students are not showing mastery of a concept, students are welcome to retake most assessments as long as they complete the assigned practice guide and show proof of self-remediation (through the retake slips). Final grades will reflect a student’s understanding (mastery), ability, and learning of particular skills. Grades are managed under the following weighted system (based on Utah State Standards):
Writing (under “Tests”)- 35%
Literature (under “Quiz”)- 35 %
Reading (includes Newsela, vocab, SRI, etc.)- 20%
Speaking/Listening (under “Presentation”)- 10%
Participation (on time, best work, etc.)
Citizenship grades are usually calculated at the end of the quarter and follow the following rubric:
H = 1-2 tardies or late/missing assignments
S = 3-4 tardies or late/missing assignments
N = 5-7 tardies or late/missing assignments
U = 8 or more tardies or late/missing assignments
Plagiarism and disrespect (to the teacher, peers, or classroom) will also impact the citizenship grade and will result in further disciplinary action.
Late or Redone Work
I follow school policy regarding late work. Most late and redone work can still be turned in up until the Friday before the end of the quarter. However, there are some assignments which will not be accepted after a certain date. I will be sure to inform students of these special circumstances.
For big essays and projects, students will have an assigned amount of time (usually 1-2 weeks) after I have returned the graded assignment in which to redo the assignment for a better grade. Students are encouraged to redo assignments, not only for a higher grade but rather for an opportunity to relearn and re-practice a difficult concept. Remember, redone work must be stapled to the original draft so that I can see the changes made. Students cannot redo an assignment if it was originally turned in after the due date.
Late work will be graded at my earliest convenience.
Attendance
It is expected that students come to class in a timely manner. We learn and practice most concepts in the classroom, so attendance is vital to mastery and success.
If you are absent, you will be granted a few extra days to make up the work. This does not include missed due dates. If you know that you are going to be gone when a big assignment/project is due, it is expected that you turn it in before you leave; otherwise, the assignment will be marked late.
Homework
Students can expect nightly homework. Usually, this homework includes personal reading (20 min. a night) and reading articles of the week (found on Newsela). Also, if students failed to finish work in class, they will be expected to complete the work that same night as homework.
Other homework assignments will vary throughout the year. For example, students will usually be given time in class for big projects or essays, but they will also be expected to work on these at home as well. Students should submit essays on Utah Compose. (I suggest that students first write the essay on Google Docs and then copy and paste it into Utah Compose).
iFlight is a time provided a few times every week for students to come into classes where they are struggling to receive added support, relearn/practice difficult concepts, participate in small-group instruction, and retake assessments.
This is NOT a time to do homework you have been slacking on. Rather, it is an opportunity to seek help in a more individualized setting. Please do not misuse this valuable time.
For other policies not listed here, please see the SRMS school-wide disclosure.