FRESHMAN ENGLISH CLASS SYLLABUS

Ms. Guerrero, Room B-132

School Number: (915) 765-2620

Course Description:

Freshmen: This course will introduce you to the basic elements of language arts and you will be required to interpret and analyze different types of literature throughout the year.Literary modes visited in this course include the short story, novel, essay, drama, and poetry.Students will also build vocabulary, learn and apply the building blocks of essay writing, and reflect on a variety of literary genres. You will be challenged to increase your own personal skills and encouraged to express both verbally and in writing in an effort to become a more critical reader and a sophisticated writer. You will complete a variety of writing assignments, along with various other projects throughout the year. These skills will help you do well in all courses, as well as be successful in life.

Required Materials:

  • A writing utensil in the form of a pencil or blue or black ink pen
  • College ruled notebook paper
  • 1 Composition notebook
  • 1 Three prong folder
  • 1 Three-ring-binder with dividers
  • Lined note cards
  • Blue/black pens
  • 1 Four color pen
  • 1 box of tissue
  • Pencils

*Classroom Rules:

  1. Be on time.
  2. Be prepared.
  3. Be positive.
  4. Be respectful.
  5. Keep the room clean

What I Expect From You At All Times Without Excuse:

  1. Accept and own the fact that you are ultimately in control of one thing in your life: You control what you think. What you think will affect what you believe, how you act, what you feel, and what you do. Ultimately what you think will define who you are. By accepting the power that you have one hundred percent control over what you do and how by acknowledging that you have control over what you think, then can control yourself to meet all of the following expectations at all times without any excuses.
  1. Come to class with a contagious desire to learn —be excited about what is being taught, make personal connections, and apply the content of this class to your own life. Participation is required in this class for it to be of benefit to everyone.
  1. It is expected that you will respect the opinions and property of each of your classmates. It is also expected you will bring all materials to class everyday.
  1. Be polite to all peers, teachers, substitute teachers, all staff, and visitors. Examples are opening doors, greeting people, listening, not interrupting, saying please and thank you, offering assistance when you see a need and you can meet it, being patient, being respectful in tone, demeanor and words. Do not leave your seat until the bell rings AND I state you are dismissed.
  1. Always behave in this classroom like I am in the classroom. If I step out of the classroom, do not see this as an excuse to act out.
  1. If you complete your assignments ahead of others, do not disrupt anyone else in class. Continue on and complete additional assignments I have given you. If you are completely caught up, you are expected to use the time to get ahead on future assignments for this class. If you have completed all assignments, then you are allowed to work on materials for other classes. If you have no work you can do, then feel free to take out your library reading books and get some good reading done.
  1. Complete all assignments on time to your full potential meeting and/or exceeding all expectations and performance levels of the assignment. Take pride in your work. Do not wait until the last minute to begin working on the assignment. Spend time reviewing the assignments, and ask questions. If you have additional questions or need assistance, please see me after class and if necessary at that time you may request to see me before or after school. I will work out a time to meet with you. The sooner you request assistance, the more I am able to provide you with everything you need to help you be successful. If extra credit assignments are made available, they will only be made available to those who have turned in all assignments and given all assignments their full potential.
  1. If you disagree or you are frustrated with a poor or failing grade or for any reason, then you will respectfully see me after class on what you can do to resolve the issue or improve your quality of work and results. I am here to help you achieve success; however, your results are ultimately your responsibility. Tutoring is from 3:45 to 4:10 Monday through Thursday with the exception of Six Weeks/Final Exam weeks.
  1. No CellPhones and/or Chewing Gum - Students may not use cell phones or have them visible during class sessions from 8:00 am until 4:10 pm Students violating the cell phone policy will have their phones taken up. In addition, no eating or drinking is allowed in the classroom.
  2. Look into the future—consider how the choices you make in this class will impact your life in the future.

Disciplinary Process: Serious offenses or continuing problems in one or more areas may result in the following disciplinary action(s). Please note that the teacher may skip any of the following steps as needed.

  1. Warnings (1 verbal)
  2. A-101
  3. Referral to Administration

Basic Policies: All students are held responsible for knowing and abiding by the regulations in the "Student Conduct Handbook”. The instructor reserves the right to modify the course syllabus.

Attendance & Tardiness: It is very important that students come to class regularly and on time with all required materials. If students’ absences are excused, I will need to see a re-entry form from the Attendance Office. Excessive tardiness and unexcused absences may result in loss of credit for assignments, suspension, or loss of credit for the course.

Entering and Exiting Class: You are tardy if you are not in class and in your seat when the tardy bell rings. Immediately begin the bell ringer assignment on the board. I will dismiss you at the end of the class period. NOTE: the bell does NOT dismiss you. When leaving the room, exit in an orderly fashion and make sure any trash is picked up. Do not leave paper under your desk.

  1. Entering the Classroom
  • Enter quietly
  • Take out your materials
  • Leave your backpacks under the shelf by the wall
  • If you are tardy, enter quietly, hand me your pass, and get ready for class
  • Begin the Daily Bell-Ringer
  • When the tardy bell rings, you should be seated, silent, and ready to learn.

2. Leaving the Classroom Before the End of Class:

  • Bathroom breaks should be taken between classes. Sometimes emergencies arise, and I will take these into consideration. You will get three hallway passes per six weeks period. If you need to go anywhere, write your name and the date on one of the passes provided and leave this pass on top of my desk.
  • If you need to see the nurse, please let me know and I will write a pass for you.

3. End-of-Period Class Dismissal

  • Gather up your book(s), supplies, and materials.
  • Sit quietly at your seat and wait for the teacher to dismiss you.
  • When the teacher dismisses you, quietly and calmly leave the room.

Paper Headings and Style: All classwork needs to have a header as demonstrated under this section. If homework assignments call for a typed response, please use double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 Point Font, 1" Margins on top bottom and sides, and title all papers in top right hand corner of the header with the following:

Your First and Last Name...... Amanda Gomez Class/Period #...... English I, Pd 3
Date...... September 1, 2015

Late Work: Fabens High School believes that homework is an integral part of the secondary school experience. Each student is required to complete their homework assignments on time.Failure to hand in assignments the day it is due will result in placement on ICU.

Make-up Work: If a student has an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to get any missing work the day she/he returns to class.

a. The student is allowed one (1) day to make up work from a one day excused absence. If a test has been previously assigned on the day of absence, the student must be prepared to take the test on his/her return to school. Time allowed for make-up work for multiple absences will be determined on the basis of need. If past due from one (1) day make up policy then Late Work policy will be implemented

b. Students should go to their teacher and ask for make-up work as soon as they return from an illness. In case of an extended illness, the parent may request the assignments from me either in person by making an appointment during conference hours or through email.

Academic Integrity: Any student cheating in any form will receive a "0" for the assignment and disciplinary penalty.

*I highly encourage you to keep all of your papers for the entire semester in the event there is ever any question about an assignment, your grade average, or missing grades.

Semester Test Exemption Policy: Multiple requirements must be met, and this only applies to Semester exams. Please see student handbook for requirements to receive this potential privilege.

Failed Test: If you fail any tests or quizzes, you may correct them during tutoring.

Failure Policy: Any high school student who fails any class with a final semester average below 70 will be considered deficient in that subject. Mandatory tutoring from 3:45-4:10 will be assigned to any student with a failing grade.

Parents/Guardians, please feel free to contact me with ANY questions, concerns, comments, or ideas. Your child’s academic success is very important to me. I welcome your insight at any time.

Ms. Blanca Guerrero, Room B-132

School Number: (915) 765-2620(Main office #, please leave a message and your preferred contact method and I will get back to you during my conference period from 2:47-3:41)

I am looking forward to an excellent 2015-2016 school year here at Fabens High School!

Fabens High School

English I / Ms. Guerrero

Terms of Agreement

This syllabus is a contract between the instructor and the student with a parent/guardian as witness. As an instructor of this course, I am committed to abiding by this syllabus. As a student of this course, you also are expected to abide by this syllabus. By signing this Terms of Agreement, you are affirming that you have read and agree to abide by the guidelines, policies and agreements stated in this syllabus.

Ms. Guerrero______

As a student of this course, I have read and agree to abide by the guidelines, policies and agreements stated in this syllabus.

Student’s Name: ______Class Period: ______

Student’s Signature: ______

As the parent/guardian, I have read and agree to support this student in an effort to follow the guidelines, policies and agreements stated in this syllabus.

Parent’s/s’ Name(s): ______

Parent’s/s’ Signature(s): ______

Parent’s/s’ Preferred Contact: ( ) - or email: