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ABOUT THIS CLASS

Coffee and chocolate are important aspects of this class.

Grading

 A student who is consistent in attendance, who completes all assigned work on time in a thorough and conscientious manner, who is well prepared for class discussions, and who consistently performs well on assignments should earn a “B” in the course. Exemplary performance in these areas should earn a student an “A” in the course.

  • Grades will be determined by a percentage of total accumulated points for the semester and is based on the following point system:
    A  =  100  –  89.5%
    B  =    89.4  –  79.5%
    C  =    79.4  –  69.5%
    D  =    69  –  60%
    F  =     59     and below

  • Grades are weighted: 

    • ​50% Composition

    • 30% Homework/classwork, orals

    • 10% Multiple Choice

    • 10% Professionalism/participation

  • The scoring of writing is based on the following criteria. Length of work, time spent and neatness do not guarantee a good grade. A “C” is awarded a paper that fulfills the requirements of the assignment, is fundamentally and structurally sound, and is reasonably free from grammatical error. It is a grade awarded to an average performance by an advanced student. Papers that are merely “correct” in every aspect are “C” papers. A “B” paper is one which fulfills the requirements of the “C” paper and shows some special style, insight, or quality in its structure and content above the average paper. An “A” is awarded to an exceptional paper. The grading of AP essays and practice tests will follow these guidelines of the College Board.

  • Students should strive to earn a “B” each semester. Students earning a final grade of “D” or “F” at the end of the fall or spring semesters may be transferred into the regular English program.

Don't make me angry.  You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.

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  BEHAVIOR POLICY: "Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry." (See video.)

 

 As a courtesy, you are expected to be in the Google Meet with camera on at the start of class.  Be ready to work , professional, and alert .

  • Use appropriate classroom manners

  • Be respectful to teachers and classroom.

  • Be prepared for your lesson – computer charger, paper, pen, book, etc.

  •  Conduct yourself as if you are in the classroom – limit background distractions and no cell phone use.

   

CONSEQUENCES:

  1. Warning

  2. Phone call to parent and loss of participation points. 

  3. Office referral, parent conference, and detention (yes, we will still have them).

  4. Fourth and fifth tardies will be dealt with by administration.

 

SCHS Behavior policy is in place.  Refer to it, if needed.

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As per SCHS Language Arts policy, you will have one day to make up assignments for each day you are absent. There are two exceptions to this: 1) homework will not be graded for any unexcused absences (absences must be cleared in three days), 2) Projects and papers that have been assigned ahead of time. Please submit this work even if you are absent.   More than three absences a semester is considered excessive in this class. If you have 10+ absences, that’s just crazy, and I will ask you to drop the class. Excused, unexcused, ASB, sports, field trips, sickness… doesn’t matter.

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Behavior Attendance and Tardies

Homework

Homework is assigned regularly. All assignments are to be turned in on their due date at the beginning of the class to receive credit. The issue of late assignment is critical, since it is the number one reason why a student’s grade may not reflect his/ her ability level. The school’s policy is that you have one day to make up an assignment for each day you are absent in order to receive full credit. I do not accept late work.   You can use one of your two late passes to turn in work for late credit, but that’s it. Essays will be given weekly or every two weeks. Writing will be 30% of your grade.   Tests and quizzes will be given during and after instruction. Tests will consist of IB projects, group reports, essays, short answer, and multiple choice. Papers of considerable length will be returned three or four weeks after the due date. Test scores will be available two to seven days after the test, depending on the nature of the exam. BE ADVISED THAT IF YOU ARE ABSENT ON THE DAY OF THE TEST, THE MAKE-UP TEST IS LONGER AND TWICE AS DIFFICULT.  Schoolloop: Homework is ALWAYS on the board. Write it down. It is often on schoolloop; check it frequently. It is your responsibility to write down the homework from the board as it does not always get into schooloop. Grades are posted every six weeks. If you have a zero, it will not be cleared for another six weeks.   PLAGIARISM I would rather read an essay that has heart than read an exceptional one that has been ripped- off to any degree. No assignment is “collaborative” unless specified by me. Plagiarism includes, without limitation, copying any portion of homework, quizzes, or in-class work. To avoid plagiarism, students must properly cite all material taken from other works used in their papers. Using three or more words in sequence from any source without notation constitutes plagiarism (Washington, course syllabus, 2). Suffice it to say, plagiarism is a serious issue that will be dealt with seriously.  
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