Mr. Shulman
ERCW B
Dear Parent/ Guardian,
I will be your son/daughter’s English teacher for the course, ERCW B, a continuation of developing college writing skills that are needed to succeed in college. This course provides further practice in skills that were introduced in the previous semester. This course outline includes my course objectives, content to be covered and the rules that need to be followed in order to allow the student to complete the course successfully.
Objectives:
The student will be able to:
1. Develop practical writing skills needed to write resumes and cover letters.
2. The student will gain further practice in reading and analyzing expository documents. In addition, he/she will be able to refer to article when writing an expository paper that requires strong supporting detail.
3. The student will become familiar with how to correctly cite material from an outside source.
4. The student will review how to avoid plagiarism, an act of copying someone else’s work. This was a big issue on several of the assignments that were submitted last semester. This act will result in an automatic grade of “zero” on the assignment. If this happens at the university level, the student would face expulsion. Good luck trying to gain admission to another institute of higher learning.
5. Reinforce the principal that writing is a process through the completion of thinking maps, outlines and rough drafts.
6. Develop reading comprehension and literary analysis skills through silent sustained reading and the completion of follow up activities.
7. Vocabulary will be increased by continuing a study at an application rather than a comprehension approach.
Major Assignments
· A composition that focuses on the topic of plagiarism
· Cover Letter/ Resume’
· Topics to be selected from the ERCW Text
· A final literary analysis
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Daily Assignments
1. Silent Reading
2. Note taking tree
3. Vocabulary Activities
Tests
1. Vocabulary Quizzes
2. Vocabulary Unit Exams
3. Timed Writings that will involve topics that are used in a college English class
Requirements
1. All students are expected to attend class regularly and come prepared to work. Being prepared to work means having required material and using class time wisely.
2. All students are expected to be on time to class. The school tardy policy will be enforced. If you earn five tardies in my class, during any marking period, you will receive a “U” in cooperation. FYI, the number one cause for termination of employment is lack of punctuality.
3. I Pods and cell phones are not to be used during class time unless permission is granted by the instructor. Using a phone or kindle to read a book is acceptable, provided that the instructor is made aware of the situation. The same principal applies in the event the student is using the phone for class related research. In regards to improper phone use, I will speak with the student about the matter one time. If the student persists in texting or watching some insipid video on You Tube, I will either call the parent, via Blackboard Connection, or let the Dean summon your parents for a conference.
4. Students will not disrupt the class, disrespect the instructor or classmates. Throughout the years, students who have attempted to make my life difficult have been either opportunity transferred to other school sites or denied participation in the graduation ceremony. If the student is a participant in a school sport, he/she will face the wrath of their coach as well as possible suspension from participation in one or more games.
5. Ms. Mendoza, the principal, is far more stringent and supportive of decisions made by the teacher. In other words, you can’t go running to her with sob stories about how I am unfair, picking on you….
6. I am including a personal note regarding the actions of a few students last semester. A small number of individuals tried to take advantage of the fact that I was seriously ill during the last week of the first semester. The administrator who was asked to convey requests to review grades and to accept work that was completed way past the deadline supported the instructor. It was unethical to exploit my illness, go behind my back and try and manipulate an administrator. To all students, it is not a good idea to partake in unethical behavior so close to the graduation.
Deadline Policy
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1. The student will be given a window in which to submit the assignment. (Ex: August 17-18)
2. If the student passes the deadline, the paper will not be accepted.
3. If there appears to be a problem meeting a deadline, the student can discuss a possible extension with the instructor
Quality
1. All classwork, upon submission, must be in blue or black ink.
2. Work must have a neat appearance.
3. Rough drafts, art related work, thinking maps, etc. may be completed in pencil.
4. All major papers MUST be typed.
Grading Scale
· 88-100% A
· 77-87% B
· 65-76% C
· 55-64% D
Work Habits and Cooperation
· E Excellent
· S Satisfactory
· U Unsatisfactory
I understand the requirements and rules for Mr. Shulman’s class.
Parent/ Guardian______
Student______
Homework
Assignments involve reading, reviewing for exams and completing a
particular activity that was started in class.
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Grading Scale
Essays, Exams, Power Points 30%
Class work, Homework 10%
Quizzes 20%
88-100% A
77-87% B
65-74% C
55-64% D
Below F
Work Habits – uses class time wisely, meets deadlines, participates in group activities
Cooperation- punctual, listens and does not disrupt during instruction time, does not
use class time to be disruptive or text, respects the instructor and his/her
class mates.
E Excellent
S Satisfactory
U Unsatisfactory
I have read and understand the content and the requirements for the class.
Parent ______
Guardian______