Syllabus for English 10 A/B
John F. Kennedy Architecture/Digital Design/Filmmaking Magnet
Teacher: Kristine Mildon Room: B-204
e-mail: School telephone: (818) 271-2900
School website:
Class webpage: At the school website, click on “staff,” then my name, and then the period/class. Please subscribe to the class page to receive updates for your particular class.
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students:
It is my pleasure to welcome you to English 10. English 10 is a two-semester college preparatory course designed to meet the “B” requirement of the California State University and University of California admissions requirements. The English course for Grade 10 includes standards-based instructional components that focus on exposition, argumentation, and literary analysis. All students will become familiar with the process of writing through their own compositions based on the experiences presented in literature and in life. The conventions of usage and grammar, skills in listening and speaking, and vocabulary growth will also be emphasized.
Representative Skills
- Applying appropriate reading strategies to making meaning of text
- Evaluating the credibility of an author’s argument
- Defending a position using appropriate evidence
- Analyzing, evaluating, and elaborating on informational and literary texts
- Engaging in research and individual inquiry to locate, analyze, and evaluate information
- Using inquiry and multiple sources to write research papers
- Developing a grade-appropriate academic vocabulary
Assessments will include
- Teacher-designed quizzes and tests
- Student-written essays
- Oral presentations
- Periodic assessments
Textbooks
McDougal Littell Language of LiteratureGrade 10
Perspectives in Multicultural Literature
Language Network Grade 10
Materials needed for class
- ½- or 1-inch, 3-ring binder for English only with tab dividers (at least 5)
- college-ruled paper (loose leaf)
- college-ruled spiral notebook (1 per semester)
- pencil and pen (blue or black ink)
- highlighter
- post-its
- agenda/planner/binder-reminder (can be used for all classes)
- book of choice for silent sustained reading (SSR)
Students, if you have trouble acquiringany of the materials, please see me so we can work something out to ensure you have what you need for class.
Classroom Code of Conduct
Be ready: Be in your seat and prepared for class when the bell rings.
Be respectful: Respect your teachers, classmates, classroom, and yourself.
Be responsible: Turn in assignments on time, pick up any missed work and schedule make-up tests after absences, and keep electronics turned off in your backpack.
In addition, each class—students and teacher together—will work to define a mutually agreeable social contract.
Grades
A 90-100Produces markedly superior workD 60-69 Needs to improve progress in work
B 80-89 Produces superior workF 0-59 Demonstrates little or no progress in work
C 70-79 Demonstrates satisfactory work
Formative work (most classwork, homework, and short quizzes) accounts for approximately 40% of the grade, and summative work (exams, essays, projects, and the final) accounts for approximately 60%. Marks for work habits are based on effort, responsibility, and attendance for each reporting period. Students with one or fewer missing or incomplete assignments may receive a mark of E (excellent), two to three—S (satisfactory), four or more—U (unsatisfactory). Marks for cooperation are based on courtesy, conduct, improvement, and class relations.
Assignment Standards
Students will maintain a portfolio of their work; all work (including graded and returned work) must be kept until the end of the semester. All work must be turned in on time. Each quarter, students will receive two late passes that may be used to turn in one homework or in-class assignment for full credit. Late work will not be accepted. Computer or printer problems are not acceptable excuses for failing to turn in work on time. Students with special circumstances should contact me privately. All work must be neat, legible, and complete, or it will be returned ungraded. I do not give extra credit to make up for missing assignments, low scores, or lack of participation. Extra credit may be assigned to the class if students may benefit from further exploration of a subject. In order to qualify for extra credit, all assignments must have been completed prior to the extra credit assignment.
For excused absences, students will have the same amount of days to make up an assignment as they have excused absences. If an absence is not cleared, the absence will be considered unexcused, and make-up work may not be accepted. Do not skip class to complete an assignment. If a student is present in class when an assignment or test is scheduled, but absent the day it is due, the assignment is due upon the student’s return to class. Students are responsible for scheduling any make-up tests by appointment outside of class time immediately upon return to class. Once the class has reviewed the answers to any assessment, no make-ups will be allowed. Please make arrangements to take any tests prior to student absences if possible.
We will be using Google Classroom,a web-based platform, including Google Docs, Gmail, and Google Calendar. Students can access Classroom using the web on a computer with any modern browser and on Android and iOS mobile devices, so students will be able to complete assignments in and out of the classroom. After students have pledged to be responsible digital citizens and abide by LAUSD’s Responsible Use Policy (RUP), they will be issued an LAUSD e-mail account to access Google Classroom. All assignments involving technology will be given a few days to complete to allow students to do the assignment at another location if technology or internet is not available at home(e.g., school library, public library, friend or family member’s house). Students who do not abide by the RUP will lose computer privileges at school and access to Google Classroom. Consequently, grades may be affected.
I have high standards for academic integrity. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated; students will receive a zero on the assignment with no possibility for makeup. Please see the school website or the class webpage for Kennedy’s Academic Integrity Policy.
Parent/Guardian and Teacher Support
As your child’s teacher, I am happy to work with parents/guardians in an effort to support student learning at home. Parents/guardians are encouraged to volunteer, observe, and/or participate in campus activities according to the school’s guidelines. Please support the school discipline and attendance policies outlined in the Parent Handbook. I encourage you to attend Back-to-School Night, Open House, and parent-teacher conferences to discuss your child’s academic progress. Communication is key: please notify me of any concerns or problems which may affect your child’s school performance. I use the Blackboard Connect telephone system to keep parents informed, so please be sure the school has your up-to-date phone number. My goal is to provide a positive atmosphere for learning for all students. I am available to help students during lunch, after school, and by appointment before school. The best way to contact me and receive the quickest reply is through e-mail () or Jupiter Ed. I will make every effort to reply within 24 hours.
Students and parents/guardians need to be active participants in monitoring academic progress. Please do not wait for a report card to check grades. Check often. Contact me immediately if you have any concerns, so we can work together to ensure student success.
Sincerely,
Kristine Mildon
Teacher reserves the right to amend this syllabus and its policies, including the grade breakdown.
PLEASE RETURN THIS PAGE TO THE TEACHER
Teacher reserves the right to amend this syllabus and its policies, including the grade breakdown.
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Course: ENGLISH 10 A / BTeacher: Kristine Mildon
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8/16/161
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