English I Pre-AP Syllabus

Ms. Cooper

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I am excited to have your student in my classroom for the 2017-2018 school year! Each of us working together can provide the greatest success for allof our students. Please take a moment to read the classroom management plan, class guidelines and information, and grading policies and discuss these items with your child. This packet is designed to make the classroom a safe, comfortable, encouraging, and organized place in which each student can excel. If you have an email address, please share it with me. Many times, that is the easiest way to communicate. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please feel free to contact me. My email address is . I look forward to working with you and your child to ensure a successful school year!

Sincerely,

Kylie Cooper

English I Pre-AP

Please fill out the bottom portion of this page, detach it, and return it with your student for his/her first homework grade.A complete copy of this syllabus is available for access all year long and can be found on my website.

Cut Here

Return to Ms. Cooper – Room 2323

Student name ______Date signed:______

Mom/Guardian ______

Daytime phone ______evening phone ______email address ______

Dad/Guardian ______

Daytime phone ______evening phone ______email address ______

We have read and discussed the entirety of this syllabus and understand the importance of the information presented. We are also aware that this information poses guidelines that ensure success in English I PAP this year.

Student signature ______

Parent/Guardian signature ______

Comments/Questions/Concerns ______

______

______

Classroom Management Plan

Ms. Cooper

English I PAP

General Classroom Rules

All teachers should have a discipline management plan designed for their unique situation and environment. This plan should be posted and visible on the first day of class of each year and should be shared with all students, parents, and guardians. Rules should also be stated positively and clearly.

Teachers should devise some method of record-keeping for the disciplinary records of their students. Careful attention should be given to recording the infraction, the action taken, the phone calls to parents, and referrals to the office.

  1. Follow all directions the first time they are given.
  2. Come to class with textbook, current novel, paper, pen, and pencil each day.
  3. Be in your assigned seat, ready to work when the bell rings.
  4. Do not interfere with the teaching or learning of others.
  5. Follow all safety rules.
  6. Do not use profanity or other offensive language.
  7. Say or do nothing when someone makes a mistake. We are but human. This classroom has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to any type of bullying. Having this policy allows for a safe, comfortable, and fun learning environment for each student.

Consequences

Persistent or severe instances of these minor acts of misconduct could be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct and result in discipline in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct (DHS Handbook, p.39-42)

In this classroom we will follow the order of the consequences below. Please note: coaches and/or sponsors will be notified if persistent behavior problems occur.

  1. A conference/warningfromthe teacher will occur.
  2. You will be the last out of the classroom/conference with teacher.
  3. You will be assigned 1 or 2 hours ofD-Hall and parents, coaches, and sponsors will be notified regarding behavior.
  4. Student is referred to assistant principal and parents, coaches, and sponsors will be notified regarding behavior.

Ms. Cooper’s

Class Guidelines and Information

Tutorial Times

Mondays/Wednesdays: 2:25-2:45 p.m. / Tuesdays: 6:45-7:10 a.m.

Appointments also available upon request

Note: an appointment along with confirmation must be made within 24 hours of wanting to conference/tutor with teacher

Course Description:

Students enrolled in English I continue to increase and refine their communication skills. High school students are expected to plan, draft, and complete written compositions on a regular basis. Students edit their papers for clarity, engaging language, and the correct use of the conventions and mechanics of written English and produce final, error-free drafts. In English I, students practice all forms of writing. An emphasis is placed on persuasive and expository forms of writing such as logical arguments, expressions of opinion, personal forms of writing, and research. These forms of writing may include a response to literature, a reflective essay, autobiographical narrative, or research paper. English I students read extensively outside of class with intense focus in the classroom in multiple genres from world literature such as fiction, nonfiction, dramas, poetry, media literacy, expository, persuasive, and procedural texts originally written in English or translated to English from Asian, classical Greek, European, African, South American, and North American cultures. Students learn literary forms and terms associated with selections being read. Students interpret the possible influences of the historical context on a literary work.

(Pearland I.S.D)

The following is a brief overview of the literature that you may want to purchase for this course. Please note that you do not have to purchase these texts; a copy will be provided should you choose not to purchase your own. However, it is strongly recommended that you secure your own copy so that you may be able to write directly in the text.

Term 1 / To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Term 2 / The Odyssey by Homer (this work is provided in the classroom textbook – do not purchase), Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Term 3 / Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Term 4 / Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare (this work is provided in the classroom textbook – do not purchase)

Note: This year you will write on a variety of topics and for a variety of purposes. In addition to in-class timed writings (expect a minimum of 2 per term) and analytical essays over the novels we will read, you will write essays over topics of your choice. You will use different organizational strategies in these essays: definition, persuasion, example, cause and effect, division, compare and contrast, etc. You will also be reading a variety of texts such as short stories, excerpts from novels, new stories, poetry, etc. Our focus for “types” of essays include: the STAAR expository essay and an analytical AP style essay.

Email: Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. As district policy, please allow 24 school day hours for a response. If an email is sent after the end of the school day, it is very likely you will not receive a response that evening. If an email is sent on the weekend, you will not receive a response until the following school day. Students are encouraged to seek clarification for assignments before the end of the school day to avoid the email policy interfering with student work.

Remind: There will be a classroom Remind account set up once school starts. Replies are typically turned off. This is due to the frequent occurrence of messages being sent outside of school hours. If replies or two-way messaging is turned on, I will send out a Remind informing members of the group of this change. Please refrain from “reacting” to messages. There is not a way for the teacher to turn off this action and reacting to messages sends notifications to the owner of the Remind group.

STUDENT NAME PERIOD

Specific Classroom Guidelines and Information

  1. NO LATE WORK is accepted for daily work and homework for English I Pre-AP students.Students need to use their class time productively to complete in-class assignments and be prepared to complete all homework assignments in a timely manner. Students will receive a zero if they do not have daily work turned in on the day it is due. Our work is due at the very beginning of class on the due date. As with any assignment, I understand that emergencies, problems, etc. arise. Please come and speak to me during tutoring hours (never during class in regards to this matter). With that being stated, for major assignments, 25 points will be deducted if the assignment is turned in one day late and 50 points will be deducted if the assignment is turned in two days late.If the major assignment is not turned in two days after the due date, a grade of 0 will be placed in the gradebook. This 0 cannot be made up for any reason. It is vital that students turn in daily, homework, and major grades in on time. Students are given ample time and notification of due dates in order to assist with this.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. HOMEWORK: Students should expect at least30 minutes of homework every night. Students will be required to do the majority of the reading at home, along with working on projects and writing assignments which serve as extensions of the required reading. We will also have weekly vocabulary assignments/quizzes. A “week-at-a-glance” calendar (found on the board in our classroom) is available at the beginning of every Monday so that you know what work to expect on which day. Remember: being absent is never an excuse for not completing homework.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. REASSESSMENT PROECEDURE: You must come in to tutorials to reassess any type of assignments. You have 3 days to reassess from the date the assignment was entered in Skyward. You will not be able to reassess after these 3 day have passed. It is mandatory that you come in for a conference with the teacher if you are reassessing a major grade so that you can review your work. This will help you to be successful for the reassessment.
  2. MAJOR GRADES are worth 60% of the nine weeks grading period. Major assessments include tests, writing assignments, long-term projects, and presentations. Grades can also be viewed on “Skyward” which is located at If for any reason your grade falls below a 70, an email will be sent to your parents, coaches, and sponsors on a weekly basis.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. DAILY GRADES are worth 40% of the nine weeks grade. Daily grades include classroom activities, quizzes, in-class writing samples, grammar, homework, vocabulary, classroom participation, and other in-class activities. Daily grades can be divided into different sub-categories, such as participatory daily grades (in-class activities, homework, etc.) and independent daily grades (quizzes, etc.). I do count quizzestwo times for a daily grade. For instance, instead of giving you a 100 for a quiz it will be equivalent to 200 points so that it equals a total of twenty percent. Please note that some assignments may be given a weight of 300 points. Students will be made aware of this as these types of assignments are given. Grades can also be viewed on “Skyward” which is located at If for any reason your grade falls below a 70, an email will be sent to your parents, coaches, and sponsors on a weekly basis.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. FIELD TRIPS:Work that is due on the day of a school sponsored field trip must be given to me before you leave for the trip. Always remember you are considered “in attendance” when on a field trip – please bring your work to me before you leave to avoid penalty if you are on campus that morning.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. ANNOUNCEMENTS: It is imperative that you do not talk during announcements. Even if you do not want to hear them, someone around you may be listening for something important. If you are talking during an announcement a warning will be issued and then further consequence if needed. Every student should be seated and tuned in to the announcements during this time.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. COACHES AND/OR SPONSORS: Will be contacted should you choose to misbehave in class. Students and parents must be awarethat this is a part of our general classroomprocedures before a referral is issued to the office. I want to avoid at all possible office referrals for any student.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. DRESS CODE: The dress code is something I take very seriously. I expect all students to be in compliance with the dress code every day. Therefore, the dress code will be strictly enforced. Should you have any questions regarding the dress code please refer to the Dawson High School’s Parent/Student Handbook” and the “Pearland ISD Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook”. In addition, read and observe the Consequences for Dress Code Violations in both handbooks.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. ID BADGES:Must be shown to me before entering the classroom each and every single day. There are numerous reasons for this, but most importantly it is for your safety. Please refer to the DHS Student/Parent Handbook for further information regarding this issue.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. BEGINNING OF CLASS: This is a crucial part of class. I expect you to come in everyday, focused and working on the warm up. Failure to be in your seat and on task upon the bell will result in a conference with you as well as parent communication.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. BYOD:We will utilize Pearland ISD’s adoption of the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program. Students will be able to tell if it is a BYOD day in class according to the red/green flashcards I will have posted daily on the board. If the card is on red and I see a cell phone out, I will collect it. If the card is on green and I am in the middle of instruction, I will collect it. In order to properly use the BYOD program students must take responsibility with their device and use their best judgment. Please refer to the DHS Student/Parent Handbook for more information on this program. Please note that taking pictures of anything or anyone in the classroom will be reported immediately to administrators for consequence.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. ATTENDANCE: To receive credit in a class, a student must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered. Students have one class day per excused absence day to complete make up assignments. Students who fail to complete make-up work within these guidelines will receive a grade of zero (0) on the assignment.This assignment will not be able to be made up. If you know you have a major assignment due on the day you are to be absent, your assignment must be turned in by the day it is due no later than 2:15 pm. You may email the assignment to me or send it with a peer. All absent work can be found in the “absent work box” located in the classroom for your convenience.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. ERRANDS: Please do not ask to take care of your personal business during this class. This includes making a phone call, getting an early dismissal, taking a test for another class, going to your locker, getting an admit, etc. These things should be taken care of before school, during lunch, or after school.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. FOOD: Eating is not permitted in the classroom. Bottled water is the only acceptable drinking item allowed.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial).

  1. GROOMING: Make-up applications and hair-brushingare never appropriate in the classroom; wait until you are in the restroom. Cologne and perfume applications are also not permitted. Any grooming items may be taken up by the teacher and will not be returned until a conference with parents has occurred.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. SLEEPING: We are far too busy each day for sleeping. It is in your best interest to remain awake throughout your 45-57 minute classroom period. You will receive a warning for your first offense and a participation grade of (0) may occur should there be a second instance.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. TARDIES: All students who are tardy to my class will be required to visit the tardy stations located in selected areas of DHS. No student will be allowed to enter the classroom after the tardy bell without a tardy admit slip.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. TEACHER DETENTION: When a teacher detention is assigned to a student, he/she will be issued a D-Hall slip in which the student will have to serve on the designed D-Hall days. The D-Hallis notserved in the teacher’s room. Please refer to the DHS Handbook for more information.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. FURTHER CLASSROOM VIOLATIONS: Please refer to the Pearland Student Code of Conduct and Handbook and the DHS Handbook for further classroom violations that will not be tolerated in the classroom.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)

  1. END OF CLASS: Please do not start packing up your things to get ready to leave until I tell you that we are finished. You should use the last few moments to pick up any trash, supplies, or textbooks around your desk. Remain in your seat until you are dismissed. Lining up at the door will not be tolerated. I also like to use the last few minutes of class each day to debrief and reflect on what we’ve learned that day. This is an excellent time for you to ask any questions you may have.

______(Student Initial)______(Parent Initial)