Course Information: English Nine - Period 2,3,5
Instructor : Mrs. Jennifer Robinson
E-mail : [email protected]
AIM Name : Finovar13
School Phone : 540-658-6150
Office Hours : Wednesday - 2:15pm - 3:00pm

Books and Assignments
Selections for the year include Animal Farm, by George Orwell, Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, and The Odyssey by Homer and Death Be Not Proud by John Gunter. Each student will be assigned an Elements of Literature and Elements of Writing book. The former contains most of the class's literary passages while the latter is a handbook for grammar and writing.

Classroom Materials

• Blue or black pens. No work will be accepted in pencil.
• Pencil for scantron tests
• Three ring notebook with dividers (Notes, Homework, Vocabulary, Handouts, Tests and Quizzes)
• One box of tissues to be turned in the first week of school
• 2 computer disks
• One page of 100 3X5 cards

Grade Distribution
Student's grades will be based on a combination of test and quiz scores, assignments, class work, homework, participation and major projects. Homework will consist of reading assignments, vocabulary work, handouts and preparation for tests and quizzes. All aspects are equally important and care should be taken to insure the highest level of success with each endeavor. There will be a vocabulary quiz every other Friday. Students will be given a private number to check their grade every Friday.

All formal essays will be typed in Times New Roman, 12 point font. Computers are available in the library and in my classroom for those who do not access to one at home. Each formal essay will receive two grades: Grammar and Composition. Points will be removed for spelling erros, as well as sentence fragments, comma splices and other grammatical elements as we review them.

Grades will be distributed according to the following scale:

• Final Grade : total points earned divided by total points possible.
• Homework: 10-30 points (packets 50points)
• Class work: 10-50 points
• Quizzes: 30-50 points
• Tests: 100 points
• Projects: 100-200 points
• Essays: 200 points

Classroom Rules
1. Respect - Students have the right to learn. This requires that every student must respect not only the instructor, but themselves and their peers as well.
2. Responsibility - When the bell rings, students are expected to be in their seats with their notebooks open and ready to begin class. The student is responsible for all of his/her own actions, including tardiness, lack of preparation and make-up work.
3. Regulations - Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations outlined in the student handbook.
4. No eating or drinking in the classroom.

Consequences for inappropriate behavior as specified by the classroom procedures will result in a conference with the student, with the parent, possible detention and or/a disciplinary report.

Tardies, Absences, and Make-up Work
There is a strict tardy policy in place at North Stafford High School. A warning is given for the first unexcused tardy. The second unexcused tardy merits detention. Students will not be allowed into class without a pass - no exceptions.

All students are responsible for make-up work concerning classes missed. Students with excused absences will be given 48 hours to either make up or arrange a time to make up missed assignments. If a student does not make up the work in a timely fashion, a zero will be given for the assignment missed. It is the student's responsibility to find out what work was missed. There will be a notebook with student written notes available, as well as folders for daily/weekly handouts.

Each student will be responsible for being the scribe for a day as part of his or her nine-week grade. This job will entail taking notes on the daily activities, announcements and class work. The notes will be checked for a grade and placed in the notebook for other students to use when needed.

Bathroom/hall Pass Policy
Students are expected to remain in the classroom during class. Bathroom visits and personal business should be taken care of before or after class. Emergency situations arise, and student will be allowed up to two passes each quarter. Should the student use all four of the available passes, no other passes will be issued. When students wish to be issued passes, they should speak to the teacher privately to have them issued. Students who do not use all of the four passes permitted within the semester will have additional credit calculated in to their grade.

Honor Code
All students are expected to adhere to the North Stafford Honor Code:

"As a member of the student body of North Stafford High School, I pledge that I will strive to be morally honest with myself and with others in thought, word and deed. I will not participate in, encourage or condone cheating in any form."

Important Dates
Interim Reports
October 4, December 11, March 4, May 10

Report Cards Out
November 13, February 4, April 16, June 18 - Mailed

Parent Teacher Conferences
November 19, February 7