Transcript Welcome to Mrs. Drake’s English I

Welcome to
English I
Mrs. Drake
Room #400
Classroom website <mrsdrakesclassroom.pbworks.com>
Email [email protected]
Voice Mail Mrs. Drake (217)639-5093
Course Description
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This course will emphasize the study of literature as well as the study of
grammar usage and the writing process.
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First semester, students will study excerpts from Homer’s epic poem, The
Odyssey as well as a Non-fiction unit.
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Second semester, students will study select short stories and two novels
including Dandelion Wine and A Separate Peace.
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One full-length, fiction or non-fiction work chosen by the student and
approved by the teacher must be read outside of class both semesters.
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A minimum of two five-paragraph essays must be formally evaluated each
semester. First semester the focus will be on compare/contrast and
cause/effect writing while second semester the focus shall be on narrative
writing.
Weekly timed, reading comprehension practice and the study of vocabulary
root words are also required for this course.
Textbooks
Elements of Language 3rd Course
Holt, Rinehart, & Winston
Elements of Literature 3rd Course
Holt, Rinehart, & Winston
Novels
Dandelion Wine
By Ray Bradbury
A Separate Peace
By John Knowles
Classroom Rules
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High expectations are a must!
Good attendance is essential to success.
Abide by the “golden rule.”
Come to class on time.
Avoid disruptions.
Be prepared for class.
Do not ask to leave the classroom except for emergencies (you must
have your planner).
Late work will not be accepted except under rare circumstances.
Deal with make-up work immediately.
No food or drink is allowed in the classroom.
No cell phones or ipods are permitted to be in use during class
without permission.
Respect school property especially classroom equipment.
Wait for the teacher to dismiss the class and not the bell.
Consequences
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A verbal warning is given when a classroom rule has been violated. This does not include
tardy violations, insubordination, misbehavior for a sub, inappropriate use of classroom
equipment, or gross misconduct.
Insubordination, misbehavior for a sub, and inappropriate use of classroom equipment
will result in, at minimum, an automatic detention. A tardy violation receives an
automatic 3 points.
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If the warning is not heeded, 3 pts. are assigned for each subsequent infraction.
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When the student has accumulated 9 classroom points, a point letter is sent home to
parents.
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The next subsequent infraction after the letter will be an assigned detention.
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If the behavior continues beyond the detention, subsequent points are assigned.
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If in the event that the student reaches 20 points, a conference with the parent/guardian
is held to determine further disciplinary action. Depending on the nature of the
infractions, this could mean anywhere from more assigned detentions, AER, or removal
to study hall.
Point records accumulate during one semester and then begin anew second semester.
Make-Up Work
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You will have one day for every day missed to make up your assignments.
Please come in to see me during tutorial as soon as you return to school from
an absence.
Tests and quiz make-up dates must be scheduled immediately.
Check the make-up folder or the classroom website for assignments and
handouts. The site’s address is <mrsdrakesclassroom.pbworks.com>.
Alternative assignments may be given for missed videos and group
assignments.
If you are absent on an important essay or presentation due date, only a note
from a parent/ guardian or doctor will excuse you from receiving late
deduction points.
Papers and presentations not turned in on the assigned due date will receive
one letter grade deduction for each day late.
If you miss school for any reason other than illness, you will need to make up
your work before you leave in most cases.
Grading
Grading Scale
100-90=A
89-80=B
79-70=C
69-60=D
Below 60=F
*Grades in this class are cumulative and are
based on total points.
Miscellaneous Policies
and Procedures
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Please bring your textbook, notebook paper, English folder,
pen, and pencil to class each day.
Spiral bound notebook paper is discouraged.
Please use pencil or black/blue ink on all assignments.
Unless instructed otherwise, please use complete sentences
for all assignments. Remember to proofread, correcting all
spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors.
Include an appropriate header with all assignments, including
first and last name, course title, hour, date, assignment title,
and page number. The assignment title should be centered at
the top of the paper. All other info should be included in the
upper right-hand corner of the assignment. Failure to comply
with these requirements may result in a grade deduction.
Please write neatly and legibly. For some, it may be better to
type the assignments.
Miscellaneous Policies and
Procedures Continued
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All formal essay assignments should be typed, double-spaced, and
include header. No cover page or report folder should be included.
Score sheets are provided for each student to keep track of
assignments and points earned. Students are highly encouraged to
keep track of their own grades. Otherwise, they shall find
themselves at the mercy of the teachers’ accounting system.
Teachers are human!
Each student will be provided a manila folder to store all important
documents such as tests, quizzes, and essays. These folders shall be
kept in the classroom.
Please save all of your assignments and handouts throughout the
semester.
Writing Evaluation
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Most writing completed in this course is evaluated according
to Illinois state standards based on a six point scale for Focus,
Support/Elaboration, Organization, Conventions, and
Integration/Style.
The MLA or Modern Language Association is the style used in
all English classes at CHS for documenting sources.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If a student is discovered
plagiarizing in this course, a failing grade for the assignment
shall be the result.
A computer program known as Turnitin.com may be used in
this course to check for assignment’s originality.
Daily Grammar Practice
(DGP)
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We will be using a grammar program known as DGP or Daily
Grammar Practice.
We will be doing DGP normally at the beginning of each class period
unless instructed otherwise. On some occasions, the DGP activity
shall be assigned as homework and at other times you will be
provided the opportunity to work through the assignment in class as
guided practice.
There will be a quiz over DGP both quarters.
The DGP skills will be included on the semester and final exams.
You will be allowed to use notes on quizzes, but not or exams.
The expectation from this program is that you will learn and retain
more grammar knowledge to prepare you for the professional world.
The assignments from this program will count as part of your daily
participation grade.
More Grammar Info
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We are also going to continue a grammar computer program
called englishgrammar101.com
We will go to the lab occasionally to complete the unit
programs.
Pretests and posttests along with individual grammar lessons
are provided.
Students will work at their own pace and set due dates to
complete tests and lessons will be designated by the teacher.
Students will receive passwords to access the programs.
Tests may not be taken at home, but practice lessons may if
the student has internet access.
All students’ completed lessons, tests, and scores are sent
directly the teacher’s inbox for review.
Get ready for a great
year!