English I & II

CLASSROOM POLICIES & INFORMATION

In this class we will adhere to the class requirements; the grading process; the attendance policy; the discipline, suspension, and expulsion policy; and the general school rules and behavior expectations found in the 2003-2004 Waitsburg High School Handbook.

CLASS BACKGROUND
During the course of this term, students will experience a variety of reading and writing activities. This courses are designed to be used as a precursor for other high school English classes.

Students will study a variety of literature examining fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama from the district anthology and additional novels. During the 2003-2004 school year, students will read William Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” in ninth grade and “Julius Caesar” in tenth grade.

The writing process is a major component of this class. Expository, persuasive, and creative writing will be experienced. Spelling, vocabulary, and grammar are always examined as part of the writing process.

WORK POLICY
This course has been designed to prepare you for a successful future. In order for this to occur, each student must take responsibility for his/her learning. This includes participation in class as well as completion of all assignments. Homework will be due at the beginning of class the day after it has been assigned—NO EXCEPTIONS!!! Due dates for assignments and projects are just that—due dates. Also be prepared for all presentations at the beginning of class.

NEEDED MATERIALS
You will need the following materials for this class:
· college or wide ruled notebook paper
· one set of five divider sheets
· blue or black ink pens
· pencils
· one 1 ½ or 2 inch binder

You will need all of these materials for your first notebook check, Friday Sept. 5th. Because final drafts of essays are required to be typed, the student needs to secure a place to type. There are computers in this room available before school, at noon, or after school along with the computers in the computer lab.

CLASS CONTENT
In this class the student will:
· write journal entries, unrevised essays, and revised essays;
· read from texts, from library materials, and from researched materials;
· search out and utilize resources;
· actively participate in class discussions and small working groups;
· compile an organized notebook containing all works from the class.

CLASS NOTEBOOK
This notebook will be divided into five sections:
Handouts, Notes, Assignments, Papers/Essays, and Journal

JOURNAL ENTRIES
Reading Journal:
· Head the entry according to the WHS English Department Style Handbook.
· Summarize the main idea of the section you are reading.
· Choose one point of the reading and discuss what you think it means.
· Make connections to your own experience (Something similar happened to me and this is what I did…or…If I were in that situation I would…).

Writing Journal:
· Head the entry according to the WHS English Department Style Handbook.
· Put the topic at the end of the heading.

IN-CLASS ESSAY
· Head the entry according to the WHS English Department Style Handbook.
· This will be legibly written on loose-leaf notebook paper in blue or black ink.
· It will be double-spaced and have no blank lines between paragraphs.
· Both sides of the paper may be used.
· The essay will conform to Standard Written English.

ESSAYS
· Head the entry according to the WHS English Department Style Handbook.
· All drafts will be housed in your class notebook.
· The first draft will be handwritten.
· The final draft will be typed.
· The paper will be formatted according to the WHS English Department Style Handbook.
· If any of these fail to appear on the paper, it will be returned before evaluation will occur.

FINAL COMMENTS
This class is designed for your future. Take advantage of this by working hard and doing your best at all times!!!

GRADES
All assignments are recorded as points of percentages. The points are determined according to the percentage of the total points assigned. The grade scale is as follows:
· 94-100 A
· 93-90 A-
· 89-87 B+
· 86-84 B
· 83-80 B-
· 79-77 C+
· 76-74 C
· 73-70 C-
· 69-67 D+
· 66-60 D
· 59 and below is an F
Your grade will be determined as follows:
· Daily Work 20%
· Tests 25%
· Essays 25%
· Daily Participation 20%
· Effort/Attitude 20%

AN ADDITIONAL NOTE ON ATTENDANCE
Please remember that with the block schedule a one-day absence is really equal to a two-day absence. Because of this choose your absences well. If you are really ill, please stay home. However, make arrangements for someone to get the work you missed. You will have opportunities to make up the work you missed. If you acquire a number of unexcused absences, it will result in a lower grade.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

TARDIES
Please follow the policy for tardies that is explained in the Waitsburg High School Handbook

LEAVING THE CLASSROOM
Please do not leave the classroom without permission. You will have enough time before class for water and bathroom stops. Unless it is obviously an emergency, you will not be permitted to leave the classroom.

ATTIRE
The classroom is a place of learning. Therefore, it is important to keep the atmosphere one of a professional place. Appropriate clothing, as described in the 2003-2004 WHS Handbook, will be adhered to. Above all, remember—any piece of clothing that offends the teacher is not appropriate. Also, do not wear hats in the classroom.

BACKPACKS
We will follow the guidelines for backpacks found in the WHS Handbook. No backpacks will be allowed in this classroom. If you need to store certain items in this classroom, and there is room, you may. However, if homework has been assigned, you will not be able to get back into the classroom after hours. Please be responsible for the materials you need!

FOOD IN THE CLASSROOM
Please do not bring food or beverages into the classroom unless arrangements are made.

CLASSROOM ETTIQUETTE
As mature young adults, you will be expected to behave as such. Tables will remain clean, chairs will be sat in correctly, computers will not be used unless permission has been granted, and closets and cupboards are not to be entered by anyone without permission from the teacher. Items found on Mrs. Leid’s desk are to be left alone. If materials are borrowed, you need to ask first.

LANGUAGE
Since this is an English class, appropriate formal language is expected to be the language of choice. Any inappropriate language directed at a fellow student or the teacher will not be tolerated…EVER!!!