Mrs. Stoker S English I

Mrs. Stoker’s English I

Course Outline

2nd Hour Conference 8:18 – 9:10

(636) 851-5048

Email me at

Course Description: This skill-based course is an introduction to the literacy skills students will need to be college and career ready: reading, writing, listening/speaking, and research. Emphasis will be placed on approaching reading and writing as processes. Expository, narrative, descriptive, and persuasive writing will be addressed. Research will be integrated throughout the course. Students will read and respond to literature concerning self-exploration and cross-curricular studies.

Classroom Expectations:

· Be respectful – of each other, the teacher, and school property

· Be prepared – finish homework and bring necessary materials to class each day

· Be present – both physically and mentally; for your teacher and your team

Tardy Policy: Part of respect is showing up to class on time. Please take care of personal business during the passing period. This classroom is next door to a bathroom – use it before class begins!

Tardies will be reported and accumulated towards a detention, per school policy

Grading: You will get out of this course what you put into it. If you pay attention in class, complete assignments on time, participate in group and class discussions, and ask questions whenever you need help, you will earn a high grade. I am most interested in making sure you master necessary skills, so major assignments such as essays can often be revised for more points. While I do not give extra assignments to improve grades, there may be opportunities to earn bonus points, such as attending special events and sharing your experience with the class. The grading scale is the same for the whole school:

Grading Scale Semester Grade Progress Reports Sent:

A 90-100 Quarter 1 40% 9/10, 11/18, 2/4 & 4/15

B 80-89 Quarter 2 40% Report Cards Sent:

C 70-79 Final Exam 20% 10/20, 1/4, 3/9 & 5/22

D 60-69

F Below 60

Components of Course Grade:

· Vocabulary enrichment

· Reading and analyzing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry

· Online research and group projects

· Quizzes and exams

· Essay writing

· Independent novel projects

· Classroom participation

Homework Policy: While I try to allot plenty of classroom time to complete assignments in order to help you with any questions, there will be times when you will need to finish work at home. You are responsible for bringing completed assignments to class the next day, so we can grade or discuss the work before moving on to the next lesson or completing an in-class assessment of the material covered.

Late Work Penalties: Homework and daily assignments are due at the beginning of class and will be graded whether completed or not. If you come to class unprepared, you will have the option of turning in the work late for a penalty, except for presentations (which will only be accepted as assigned).

· Work turned in 1 day late will be penalized 25% off the earned score.

· Work turned in 2+ days late will be penalized 50% off the earned score.

Make Up Work: It is the student’s responsibility to make up all missed assignments. When you return to class, check your class period’s “Absent Work” folder for missed assignments. You can see me before/after class, or during independent class work, to ask me any questions about the missed assignments. You will have one day to make up work for every day you are absent; then, late penalties will be assessed. Tests and quizzes missed due to an excused absence should be made up outside of class time within one week.

Textbooks/Novels: You are responsible for any textbook or novel you check out from the room. All textbooks cost $85 and novels $12 if they are not returned. If they are damaged, fines will be assessed based on the damage. In addition to novels you will choose to read independently, the following literary and film works will be studied as part of this course’s curriculum:

Of Mice and Men A Christmas Carol

Romeo & Juliet The Secret Life of Bees

Course Supplies: Pick 1 of the following for the class closet:

· 3-prong folder with pockets (not mandatory, but much appreciated)

· Loose-leaf notebook paper - Box of Kleenex

· Pen and pencil (#2 lead) - Hand Sanitizer

· 3x5 index cards - Disinfectant Wipes

Electronic Devices: Electronic devices (phones, MP3s, tablets, etc.) are prohibited in my classroom unless I assign their use for a specific lesson activity. Any unauthorized use will result in my taking away the device and sending it to the Main Office.

Additional Help: You can see me after school until 3:30pm any day except Wednesdays. Homeroom time also can be used to make up work or ask for help as long as you ask for an intervention pass a day ahead. The Learning Commons is also open before and after school if you need computer access. Bottom line: don’t be afraid to ask for help. As Albert Einstein once said …

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”