This course orientation has been prepared to explain the expectations, course content, course requirements, policies, and any other information that will give you the opportunity to do your best in this class.  Please read it carefully, learn it, and share it with your parent(s)/guardian(s).  If you do not understand something, or if you have any questions about any part of this syllabus, please feel free to talk to me about it.  I look forward to a brilliant year with both you and your family.

 

Course Description

This course is designed to fulfill the Las Virgenes Unified School District Standards and the California Standards for high school freshman.  These reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills help prepare students for Tenth Grade, a university education, a productive career, and a successful life.  Over the next school year, students will be completing the following:

Ø      Read 2 core novels (various genres), including To Kill a Mockingbird and Hiroshima, and one outside novel.

Ø      Read and act out a play: Romeo and Juliet; and an epic poem: The Odyssey

Ø      Study various multicultural short stories, newspaper articles/editorials, and poems.

Ø      Learn elements of literature, including character, setting, plot, foreshadowing, irony, theme, tone, mood, figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole).

Ø      Gain knowledge of literary terms, such as alliteration, assonance, free verse, imagery, meter, onomatopoeia, refrain, stanza, rhyme scheme.

Ø      Expand grammar skills, including parts of speech, capital letters, punctuation, parts of a sentence, subject-verb agreement, phrases, clauses, and the correct use of verbs, pronouns, and modifiers.

Ø      Develop vocabulary and use it in context, know the synonyms and antonyms of words.

Ø      Make oral presentations and create and edit paragraphs, essays, newspaper reports.

Ø      Participate in small group and class discussions, become an active listener.

 

Required Books and Materials

1.       3-Ring Binder (1-1/2 Inch).

2.       5 Tab Dividers marked as follows: Literature, Writing, Grammar, Vocabulary, paper.

3.       Loose-leaf, 3-Hole Punched, College-Ruled, notebook paper for class work.

4.       2 Pencils, 2 Pens (dark blue or black ink).

5.       Index Cards 3x5

6.       Calendar/Agenda for writing down homework assignments (may be purchased from student store).

7.       Journal – spiral bound notebook to be kept in class.

8.       Literature Anthology Textbook (we will check this out as a class at the library).

9.       Grammar Book (we will check this out as a class at the library).

10.   Current Novel (checked out or purchased from a local bookstore).

The teacher will not solve problems for students because it robs students of an opportunity to learn.  Each student is responsible for caring for books, both in the classroom and at home.  Lost or damaged books must be replaced or paid for by the student.  Each student is required to bring the appropriate materials to class each day.  If the student’s  printer is broken, please e-mail the assignment to the teacher at the above e-mail address.  Students that are prepared will be more successful in the class.

 

Attendance policy

Students should be in their seats and ready to work when the tardy bell rings, or they will be marked tardy.  Six (6) unexcused tardies or three (3) unexcused absences will result in a student being dropped from the class with a failing grade.  There are no exceptions to this rule!

Classroom Policies

Students will be discussing and creating standards and consequences for classroom behavior on the first day of class based upon the instructor’s expectations and Agoura High School/District standards, as follows:

1.       Act in a Safe and Healthy Way (compelling State interest:  Health and Safety)

2.       Respect Yourself (compelling State interest:  Health and Safety)

3.       Respect Property (compelling State interest:  Property)

4.       Respect Others (compelling State interest:  Health and Safety, Legitimate Educ. Process)

5.       Take Responsibility for Learning (compelling State interest:  Legitimate Educ. Process)

 

Grades

A student’s grade is not based on a point system.  Tests and assignments are categorized and divided into various categories.  Each category is based upon California Standards for English and is worth a percentage of the student’s overall grade.  This means that a student must perform well in all areas of class to receive a good grade.  This also means that if a student is somewhat weak in one category, it will not dramatically weigh down his or her grade.  The Agoura High School English Department has determined that grading should be weighted as follows.

Literary Response and Analysis 3.0, Writing Strategies 1.0, Applications 2.0, & W&O 1.0   (narrative/response/expository paragraphs, literature based tests, etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	40%
Reading Comprehension 2.0   (Literature Groups assignments and literature based questions)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	10%
Reading 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 (Vocabulary Quizzes, class and homework) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	15%
Written & Oral Language 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 (Grammar Quizzes, class and homework) . . . . . . . .	15%
Listening & Speaking (In Class Discussions, Literature Groups, Journals)  . . . . . . . . . . . . .	10%
Final Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	10%

 

Grades are assigned as follows (there is no rounding-up of grades):

90-100%	=	A
80-89%	=	B
70-79%	=	C
60-69%	=	D
0-59%	=	F

 

Make-up Policy:  Work not turned in due to unexcused absences is not accepted.  If you have an excused absence, find out what you missed from a classmate and turn the work in the next time the class meets.  If you are absent for an extended time, contact me to arrange make-up work.  Tests and quizzes must be made up within one week of a test or quiz being given.  Failure to appear during support period for a make-up test or quiz will result in a zero.  Work turned in one day late for reasons other than absences will receive half-credit (50% off), and work that is more than one day late will receive no credit.  It is not the responsibility of the instructor to remind student about missed work.  The student must attempt to receive work from a student in the class, from the instructor’s web page, or see the instructor after class.

 

Academic Integrity

 

“The forms of virtue are: justice, courage, magnificence, magnanimity, liberality, gentleness, prudence, wisdom.”  Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) (and honesty, integrity, freedom, perseverance, humility, fortitude, hope, respect, and responsibility)

 

Cheating:  Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.  Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:  copying or looking at another student’s paper during a test or quiz, talking during a test, having information that is being tested visible during a test (cheat sheet, open textbook, notes, etc.), copying another student’s homework or classwork is plagiarism.  Any student suspected of cheating will receive a zero on the test, quiz or assignment and will be referred to the vice principal.  The student’s parents will be notified of the incident, and a letter will be placed in the student’s file for one calendar year.  If the student is caught cheating a second time in twelve months, he/she will receive an F and will be dropped from the class in which the second incident occurs.  There are no exceptions to this policy.  There is no excuse for cheating and the consequences are severe!

 

Plagiarism:  Please find and read the attached sheet regarding plagiarism.  Unfortunately, plagiarism continues to be a problem.  Downloading and copying any writing from the Internet and claiming it as your own is plagiarism and will be treated as such.  Do not plagiarize!

 

 

PLEASE DETACH, SIGN AND RETURN

 

I have read and understand Mrs. Anderson’s COURSE GUIDELINES:  2007 - 2008.

 

Date: __________________               _______________________________________________

                                                                                                Student Signature     

Date: __________________               _______________________________________________

                                                                                                Parent Signature      

_______________________________________________

                                                                                                Parent Name [Please Print]    

 

Parent Day Phone:        _________________ E-mail: ___________________________________

                                                                                                                 Parent E-Mail Address           

Parent Cell Phone:        _________________

                                      Listening and Speaking In-class Criteria

AHS English Classes

                                         (Ten per cent of semester grade)

 

 

AHS English Department philosophy:  In order to fulfill California State Standards and to successfully pursue the AHS English curriculum, AHS students must be prompt, prepared, attentive, and receptive toward instruction.  They must also be able to communicate subject matter by speaking and writing.  The following criteria will be employed to assess student classroom involvement and accountability:

 

For an “A,” the student will --

• Always have standards-based reading, study materials, and homework in possession
• Consistently demonstrate appropriate use of class time allotted for the application of standards (silent reading, group work, writing, etc.)
• Readily provide appropriate, insightful, voluntary verbal feedback
• Verbally demonstrate solid knowledge of subject matter
• Listen respectfully and attentively to others when they speak

 

For a “B,” the student will –

• Usually have standards-based reading, study materials, and homework in possession
• With few exceptions, demonstrate appropriate use of class time
• Often provide appropriate, insightful, voluntary feedback
• Verbally demonstrate a working knowledge of subject matter
• Listen respectfully, though not always attentively, to others when they speak

 

For a “C,” the student will –

• Usually have standards-based reading, study materials, and homework in possession
• Often demonstrate appropriate use of class time, though sometimes not willingly
• Respond appropriately when called upon; provide little voluntary input
• Verbally demonstrate some knowledge of subject matter
• Listen, but not always attentively or respectfully

 

For a “D,” the student will –

• Often not be in possession of standards-based reading, study materials, homework
• Use class time poorly and often interfere with the teaching of standards and with the learning process of others
• Seldom, if ever, respond voluntarily or appropriately
• Verbally demonstrate little or no knowledge of subject matter
• Pay little attention in class; sometimes show disrespect for teacher and classmates

 

An “F” grade denotes --

• Little or no preparation, standards-based books/materials seldom in possession
• Continual misuse of class time allotted for the fulfilling of standards
• Continual inappropriate, negative classroom input
• No apparent verbal reflection of subject matter
• Constant inattention and an overall disrespectful attitude toward all