ELA SYLLABUS
Instructor: Dr. Virginia Leigh Coogler
Email:
2015-2016
Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s):
Welcome to another school year! I am Dr. Virginia Leigh Coogler, your child’s Language Arts teacher for the 2015-2016 school year. This will be my 16th year as an educator, and I am excited to be working with you and your child. As we travel together on this journey of knowledge and discovery, we will explore novels, essays, poems, plays, and short stories. We will learn about the world around us by making connections through our study of informational and non-fiction texts and media. We will sharpen our skills of inquiry and argument as we research topics of interest to us, and most importantly, we will become strong writers, thinkers, and problem solvers. I appreciate your support in the effort of leading your child to success in Language Arts.
Sincerely,
Dr. Virginia LeighCoogler
Expectations:
All members of the SC Science Academy community are expected to LEAP to Success.
Lead by Example
Exercise Good Judgment
Achieve Excellence
Participate Responsibly
Required Materials
Please bring your required materials of pens, pencils, a notebook, and paper to class each day. Also, please understand that consumable items on the list may need to be replenished as the year progresses.
GRADING POLICY
A = 100 - 93
B = 92 - 85
C = 84 - 78
D = 77 - 70
F = 69 and below
*Please Note: It is the student’s responsibility to make up the work he/she misses due to a legitimate absence and to schedule appointments to make up missed quizzes or tests after school during my tutoring hours. Students who miss a major assessment or classwork assignment due to cutting class will receive a grade of a zero with no opportunity for a make up.
TENTATIVE GENERAL OUTLINE OF UNITS OF STUDY
QUARTER ONE / QUARTER TWO / QUARTER THREE / QUARTER FOUR
MOTIVATING CHANGE
* Elements of a Story
-short story unit
*Writing for the Real World
-Narrative Writing
*Project-Based Assessments
*Research / PLANNING FOR CHANGE
*Writing for the
Real World
-Informative/Explanatory Writing
-letter writing
*Informational Text
*Project-Based Assessments
*Research / EVALUATING CHANGE
*Argumentative Writing
-claims & evidence
*Novel Study
*Standardized Testing Prep
*Project-Based Assessments
*Research / IMPROVING & SHARING CHANGE
*Standardized Testing Prep
*Poetry Study
*Project-Based Assessments
*Research
*Please note that the ELA curriculum focus this year will be based on South Carolina State Standards. In addition to the general units outlined above, students will practice grammar, vocabulary building, etc. daily within each course of study, as well as engage in project-based learning and research experiences.
HOMEWORK
Students will be expected to complete homework assignments each day. However, please check my website for homework/assignment updates.
TUTORING SCHEDULE
Tuesdays from 4:00-4:30
Classroom Expectations
Students are expected to do the following on a daily basis:
  • Treat others as you would like to be treated.
  • Respect others (their personal space and their opinions)
  • Laugh with anyone, but never at anyone.
  • Come to class prepared every day.
  • Use the lifeskill of active listening.
Consequences for violating classroom expectations:
1st Offense:Nonverbal or Verbal Warning and Student/Teacher Conference
2nd Offense:Student/Teacher Conference and Parent Contact
3rd Offense: Detention/Parent Contact
4th Offense:Administrative Referral
Procedures and Routines
  1. The student will enter the classroom in an orderly manner, sharpen pencils if needed at this time only, sit in assigned seat, and immediately begin “Warm-up activity”.
  2. Students must record all homework/project assignments in their notebook on a daily basis.
  3. Students will listen attentively as they receive directions for the day’s lesson.
  4. All written work must be legible or you will be asked to rewrite it.
  5. Students will raise their hands and wait for the teacher to acknowledge them before asking questions or blurting out responses.
  6. All students will actively participate in class activities.
  7. Students are not to get up and move about the classroom unless told to do so. Do not get up to throw things in the trash during class. Deposit your trash in the bin as you exit the classroom.
  8. Any student who has been absent from class for any reason is responsible for getting the missed assignments the day he/she returns to class.
LOOKING FORWARD TO AN EXCITING YEAR TOGETHER!
Dr. Virginia Leigh Coogler
ELA Teacher
SC Science Academy
Email:
Please fill out the information in the section below, tear it from the syllabus, and return to Dr. Coogler.
Student’s Name
______
Parent/Guardian’s Name ______
Parent/Guardian’s Daytime Phone #______
Parent/Guardian’s email ______
I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed Dr. Coogler’sELA course requirements and understand what is expected of me.
______
(Student’s Printed Name) (Parent’s Printed Name)
______
(Student’s Signature) (Parent’s Signature)
______
(date) (date)
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