English I Honors/Standard
Course Outline and Information

INSTRUCTOR: Erin (Kidwell) Brown
EMAIL:

CLASSROOM: N212
WEBSITES: Online textbook ------my.hrw.com

BT Website ------

Edmodo------

Edmodo Codes ------Write your code HERE  ______

AVAILABILITY: Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns; I try my best to respond to all emails the day I receive them but will, in a worst case scenario, reply within 24 hours. I also stay after school regularly and welcome students with quick questions to stop by. However, for more lengthy tutoring or make-up sessions, I advise students to speak with me in advance in order to ensure that I will be available on a certain day. (See Absences)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on providing students with a thorough foundational understanding of the five key components of Language Arts-- reading, writing, grammar, speaking, and listening. Students will study fiction and nonfiction writing in its many forms, develop written and verbal communication skills, and engage in activities that will allow them to grow both as individuals and as valued members of an academic community.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Students should come prepared to class every day with all of the following:
1.WritingImplements—Students may write in either pencil or pen; my only request is that students not use iridescent/neon colors, as they are difficult for me to read.

2. Binder—Students will be asked to have a three ring binder with dividers*; I recommend getting no smaller than 1.5,” as it will be used to hold all class documents, warm ups, notes, handouts, and graded work
3. Paper—In their binders, students may choose to either have a) lined loose-leaf paper or b) a notebook with hole punches and perforated edges.

4. OutsideReadingMaterials— While most anchor texts are located in the textbook, we will have readings from assigned novels. Additionally, students will need novels on pre-determined days during which we will engage in Silent Sustained Reading (SSR).

5. Internet access, Word processor, & printer— In addition, students must have internetaccess in order to complete certain reading assignments in the online textbook and enter our class Edmodo page to view reminders, consult handouts/documents, and submit certain assignments for grading. It will also be necessary for students to access a Wordprocessingprogram and printer. In the event that a student does not have a computer or printer available home, both can be accessed in the school’s Media Center.
GRADING: 70% Summative Assessments (tests, projects, presentations, some quizzes, etc.)
30% Formative Assessments (h/w, bell works, class assignments, most quizzes, participation, etc.)
DEADLINES: Students are expected to complete all assignments on time. Hard copies of homework and essays will be passed forward at the beginning of the period. For certain assignments students will be asked to submit work on our class Edmodo website; these assignments must be posted before class on the designated day. Work submitted after the student’s class period will be considered late (see Late Work policy below). Neither computer nor printer problems are excuses for late work, so students should plan ahead for emergencies by securing the contact information of at least two reliable classmates and saving copies of typed assignments to a USB, Google Drive, or email account. As a last resort, students may email their assignments before class and follow up with a hard copy of the assignment as soon as possible.
LATE WORK:

Late formative assignments— For formative work I have a strict three strike policy.

1st late assignment Fill out and attach a Late Submission form to the assignment to receive full credit. This must be done within one week of the assignment’s original due date, otherwise it will not be accepted.

2nd late assignmentSame procedure as above, only the assignment will only be accepted for partial credit.

3rd + late assignment Late assignments from this point forward will not be accepted past the due date.

Late summative assignments—Late projects and essays will receive a 10 point deduction each day they are not turned in after the deadline. (These points also accumulate over weekends.) If, for example, an essay is due on Friday and a student turns it in Monday (three days late), that student receives a 30 point deduction, changing an 85 to a 55.

ABSENCES:
Absent on the Day an Assignment is Due-- If a student is absent on the date an assignment is due, he or she should do one of the following: send in a hard copy of the completed assignment with another (reliable) student, post the assignment on the class Edmodo website, or send the assignment via email to . In the event of an anticipated absence, a student may also turn in an assignment early. If an absent student neglects to turn in an assignment via peer, Edmodo, or email by its due date, it will be considered late. This is particularly important for summative assessments that are due. The only exception to this is any worksheet not uploaded to Edmodo.

Homework Assigned While Absent-- Since we live in such a technologically advanced society, each student should be able to access Edmodo in order to access handouts, assignments, deadlines, notices, and other information pertinent to his or her success in this course. With this information readily available for students’ convenience, students are responsible for consulting the Edmodo website for homework assigned during their absence. Homework assigned while a student is absentshould be completed and turned in upon the student’s return, unless otherwise specified. (Certain homework assignments may require a student to first complete the corresponding classwork or obtain a handout; I will indicate on the Edmodo assignment post whether absent students should postpone completing a homework assignment. If there is no such comment posted, students will be expected to have it complete by the next class.) Students are encouraged to contact a peer or email me should they have any questions about a homework assignment or want clarification on a concept.

All assignments submitted late due to absence must have the word “ABSENT” written in boldat the very top of the front page. If a student fails to do this, the assignment will be tallied in that student’s late submission strikes.

It is important to also note that assignments with predetermined due dates, such as essays or scheduled readings, will not be affected by absence. If, for example, it says on our Reading Schedule that chapters 4-6 are to be read by Friday and a student is absent on Thursday, he will be expected to have read up through chapter 6 when hereturns to class Friday.
Missed Classwork, Tests, & Timed Writings-- When students return to class, it is their responsibility to check the make-up file located on the student table to get any assignments or handouts distributed during their absence. As per St. Johns County School District’s Attendance Policy, students will have as many days as they were absent to complete missed classwork, timed writings, and tests. (Students are encouraged, however, to complete missed classwork during their absence, if possible, in order to avoid falling behind.) As previously stated, any classwork assignments turned in late due to absence must be labeled “ABSENT” at the top of the page.
Missed tests and timed writings must be completed before or after school; it is the student’s responsibility to remember to stay after to make up a missed assessment within the designated time frame. In the event that a student does not make up a missed test or timed writing in the appropriate time, the summative late policy will take effect. If a student plans on staying after to make up an assignment, that student should write his or her name on the class calendar(located on the bookshelf by the door) along with the assignment or assessment to be made up.
SERIOUS ILLNESS: Students suffering from prolonged serious illnesses or injuries-- flus, concussions, vicious attacks by alligators, etc.-- that prevent them from turning in work that is due during an absence will be asked to produce a signed doctor’s note upon their return to class.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Remember that plagiarism involves taking another writer’s ideas or words without properly citing them. Examples include the following: copying another student’s answers; turning in another student’s essay; or turning in an essay in which phrases, sentences, or paragraphs are lifted from other writers and not properly cited with in-text citations. Plagiarism results in parental involvement and referral to administration for academic dishonesty. (But I trust that this won’t be a concern with my students!)
GREAT EXPECTATIONS: POLICIES OVERVIEW: DAILY PROCEDURES:
1. Respect yourself & others 1. Be on time & prepared! 1. Come in quietly & begin bellwork
2. Promote a + environment 2. Turn in work on time 2. Check the board for h/w; get any missed work
3. Pay attention & participate 3. Follow directions when given 3. Pass up any assignments that are due

4. Put forth your best effort 4. Raise your hand to speak 4. Sign out/in & take the pass; only 1 out at a time

5. Be responsible for all actions 5. Phones (unless I give the OK) 5. Heed “Listening Llama” (call for attention & quiet)
6.Keep the class clean 6. Ask permission to exit 6. Clean up when askedwait to be dismissed

OTHER ODDS & ENDS:

  • Respect and effective communication are paramount to achieving success in my class.
  • Textbooks are to remain in the classroom at all times. A student may be assigned a book from the Media Center if outlined in an IEP or 504 plan. Otherwise, students must check out a textbook from the Media Center with their student ID if they would prefer a hard copy to the online edition. Books may NOT be removed from the classroom under any circumstances; students found violating this rule will immediately be issued a referral.
  • Additionally, students should pay particular attention to dress code, tardy, and cell phone policies listed in the Student Code of Conduct.

YEAR AT A GLANCE: The following lists give brief, tentative overviews of the main texts, writing styles, and assessments students can expect to encounter each marking period. Students will receive more comprehensive outlines, reading schedules, and lists of major due dates at the beginning of each new quarter.

(MP 1) A Matter of Life or Death
-“The Most Dangerous Game”
- “The End and the Beginning”
-Informative Essay(s)
-Research Presentation: Survival / (MP 2) Struggle for Freedom
-“I Have a Dream”
-excerpt from Nobody Turn Me Around
-To Kill a Mockingbird **
-Argumentative Essay(s)
(MP 3) Heroes & Quests
-excerpt from Odyssey
-Analytical Essay(s)
- Hero’s Journey Project / (MP 4) Sweet Sorrow
-Romeo and Juliet
-“Sonnet 18”
-Literary Analysis Essay(s)
-Sonnet Project
-Presentation: Shakespeare’s Theater

A FINAL NOTE: Students are responsible for reading and understanding all parts of this course outline and for sharing it with their parents. Students who read critically, dedicate time and energy to improving their writing, meet deadlines, and attend class regularly can expect to flourish. I look forward to a great school year!

PLACE THIS DOCUMENT IN YOUR BINDER UNDER THE TAB “CLASS INFO.”

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Ms. Kidwell’s Course Syllabus Contract

We have read and understand the requirements and policies for this class, including the Academic Honesty policy. I, the student, will take responsibility for my actions and for my required materials, and we (my parent and I) both understand the consequences if these guidelines are not met.

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Student name (handwritten) Date

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Parent signature Date

There will be times throughout the year in which we watch video clips and scenes from films to enhance our education through a multimedia approach. The highest rating of films we will study is PG-13. Please let me know by checking the corresponding boxes if you do or do not wish for your child to view PG-13 films.

□ I do not mind if my child views PG-13 rated films.

□ I would prefer my child not view PG-13 rated films.

Please feel free to email me at any time with questions or concerns. Remember to check your child’s Edmodo account as well as the class BT website regularly to access information about school activities and student academics. I look forward to a great school year! Thank you!

Kind regards,

Ms. (Kidwell) Brown

Please be sure to return this signed slip no later than Friday, August 15th. IT COUNTS AS A GRADE!