Melissa Lawson
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Voicemail Box #311
Expectations
1. Above all, respect others and my classroom. This point includes begin quiet when others are talking, maintaining personal space, using appropriate language, refraining from calling others inappropriate or degrading names, writing anywhere but on your paper. . . This should be common sense. =)
2. Bring all required materials to class every day.
3. Bring no gum or soda to my class. You may bring a water bottle to class provided its presence does not conflict with the school rules in place at that time.
4. Complete all assignments in a timely manner.
Supplies
Index cards
Pencils
A binder, at least 1"
Dividers for your binder (Minimum of 3)
Minimum two floppy disks
Paper clips, Binder clips, and/or rubber bands to organize source cards
Blue or black ink pens ONLY-
assignments in any other color of ink will NOT be accepted!
Additional Suggestions: White-out, a red pen for peer editing, highlighters in at least one color, slips of post-it notes (or post-it flags) for note-taking
Grading Policies
I keep all grades on a point basis according to the importance of assignments and time spent on the material. Unfortunately, it is difficult for me to estimate what percentage of grades will be based on what types of assignments. However, I can tell you what types of grades I take and what point value they are given on average each time I take those grades.
Tests 120-150 Points Participation 10-25 Points
Quizzes 30-50 Points
Class Work 20-50 Points
Presentations and
other Major Projects 130-200 Points
Homework 10-30 Points Note Cards 20-40 Points
Drills 5-10 Points Notebook Checks 100 Points
Works Cited Pages 30-60 Points
Please keep in mind that I work on a much higher point scale than most teachers: past classes have had as many as 2400 points possible!
In addition, when grading a bulk of homework or class work, I sometimes use a "check," "check minus," or "check plus." These can roughly be valued as a "check minus" landing in the 50% or below range, a "check" landing in the C range, and a "check plus" landing in the B+ or A range.
Drills
Class will begin every day with a brief editing drill unless I specifically say there will be none that particular day. Each day's drill will be found on small blue or green slips of paper in a designated space in the front of the room. When the bell rings to begin class you should be in your seats, prepared to begin working silently. It is not necessary to make up drills after an absence.
Absent students must see me upon the day of your return to receive make-up work. As students are starting their journals I expect you to come to me with your admit slip and to ask for any work that you have missed. The same is true for students with a planned absence: come to me at the beginning of the period to show me your notification and later upon your return to receive missing work.
Please be certain I stamp that it is make up work and the day it was given to you before you leave class that day. Make-up work is due within two days of returning from an absence; after this time I will take off 20% as described below.
Tests or quizzes that have been missed during an excused absence must have their make-up date scheduled at this time as well. I will allow up to one week to meet for the make-up, but it MUST be scheduled upon your return.
Other Missing Work
Late work will be accepted three days after it is due, but at 20% off the grade for each day it is late. When turning an assignment in late, the date must be stamped on the assignment before placing it in the appropriate box.
Notebook Checks
Your notebook will be checked a minimum of once per nine weeks. The proper order for notebook checks will be available from me at least one day ahead of the check, and all papers must be in the proper order to receive full credit. Notebook checks are usually worth the same amount of points as a large test.
Extra Credit
I give few opportunities for extra credit: students should focus on their learning, not petty ways to boost grades. However, when I do find a suitable means for extra credit it MUST be turned in before two weeks before the end of the grading period. I will empty the extra credit box of all papers at that time and any received later will go on the next quarter's grade. Extra credit will NEVER earn you more than 75 points overall, cannot put your grade above a 95%, and cannot place you in the highest scoring position in my class. This extra credit will not gain you more than a few percentage points overall, if that.
Extra Help & Review Tools
There will always be vocabulary from each unit on my website: http://www.geocities.com/mwallslawson. I will also attempt to keep this current with links to other websites that may help you with a particular unit. Please note that SparkNotes and other "shortcuts" are NOT appropriate study aides!!!!!
I will be available on Tuesdays after school until 4:00 to tutor any students who would like extra help in English. I would prefer if you let me know you will be there, but I will be there regardless. If this time is not suitable for you, let me know and we will try to schedule another appointment.
The best way to reach me is through email.
This may seem like a lot to hit you with at one time, but if we all work together well, we should even have some fun while we're learning. =)
First section of your notebook (in front of the first divider): Your syllabus & other items that I designate to go in the front of your notebook.
First Divider: Notes & classwork on researching
Second Divider: Notes & classwork on test-taking & study skills
Third Divider: Notes & research for your papers
Fourth Divider (if you have one): Your final papers/ presentations themselves