English I Pre-AP
2013-2014 - Atascocita High School
Ms. Spence
Contact Information:
Email:
Contact Number: (281)641-7562
Grade Breakdown:
Daily grades/Quizzes (Formative) = 30%,
Tests/Essays/Projects/Timed writings (Summative) = 70%
Year at a Glance:
First Nine Weeks – Summer reading, the Odyssey + assorted reading, narrative writing
Second Nine Weeks –Romeo and Juliet, research, expository writing
Third Nine Weeks –Jane Eyreexcerpts, Of Mice and Men,literary analysis
Fourth Nine Weeks – Alas Babylon, A Separate Peace, argument
*Grammar and Vocabulary Workshop will also be a consistent focus in each 9 weeks. VW books are required for this course and can be purchased through my website if you didn’t pick yours up at Flight School. Students are expected to complete the activities within the workbook for each unit.
Classroom Policies:
In addition to school wide policies (dress code, no cell phones/food in the classroom, zero tolerance for bullying, etc.), I have three rules that I ask you to follow while in my classroom.
1)Be prepared! Bring all materials to class (notebook, pen/pencil, novel), and sit in your assigned seat.
2)Be respectful! Treat all of your classmatesand the classroom environment with respect.
3)Be an active participant! Volunteer your opinions and insight during class discussions.
Homework:
According to the College Board, Pre-AP students should be reading at least 30 pages a night during literature units that require out of class reading. This is in addition to any assignments/essays or vocabulary that you might be working on. This won’t always be the case, but be prepared for a time commitment both inside and outside the classroom.
Late Work/Make-Up Work:
Work that is not turned in when it’s due is considered late and follows the AHS late work policy (75, 60, 50, 0). If a student is absent, it is his/her responsibilityto get the work that he/she missed. Even if you are absent on the due date of a major essay, it needs to be submitted electronically or it’s late (unless of an EXTREME emergency!). If you miss school on the review day before a test, you are still expected to take it when you return to school.
TurnItIn.Com:
Throughout the year, students will be required to submit essays to This is a program that checks student work for plagiarism. Please note: Students are required to bring a printed copy of their essay to class, in addition to submitting the essay to TurnItIn. Missing one or both of these components will result in a late grade. I will not print student essays or let them type essays in class. There are computers and printers available in the library for any student to use before and after school.
Plagiarism:
We do not in any way tolerate academic dishonesty, especially in the AP program. Students caught plagiarizing will face serious academic consequences including a zero on the assignment and possible removal from the AP program. There are no opportunities to retake or reassess an assignment in the event of cheating or plagiarism. A referral for academic dishonesty will also be submitted to the principal for further disciplinary action.
Reassessment:
Students are only allowed to reassess one summative grade per nine weeks, and the two grades will be averaged together. Students have one week from when the grade is posted to reassess, and they are required to make corrections on the original assessment in tutorials first, as well as complete any missing work, before a test will be provided. This includes assignments that are already zeroes for being late. In addition, the reassessment form provided by the campus must be filled out and signed by a parent.
Supply List:
Required: Binder, paper, pens (blue or black), bright colored pens (for editing), highlighters, binder dividers
Binder divider labels: Grammar, Notes, Writing Portfolio
Requested: Extra pens, paper, dry erase markers, Kleenex, Germ-Xor pencils (We have a class stash for students missing supplies)
Optional: index cards (for vocabulary) and post -it notes for annotations as well as your own copies of the novels and plays we will be reading this year so you can mark them up. **I highly recommend a flash drive for essays and projects.
Online Textbook:
This year we have decided not to issue students an individual literature textbook. Students will have class sets available on campus, as well as access to the online textbook at home. If students do not have access to the internet, they can always use computers on campus. If this is going to be a problem, please let me know and we will see about getting an individual textbook issued to you.
Remind 101 Text Updates:
If you want to keep up with what’s going on in Pre-AP English this year, you should think about signing up for our text alerts. I will try to send out weekly reminders about upcoming due dates, tests, campus reminders, etc. These text messages are set up through a third party. I will never see your phone number and you will never see mine. I will place instructions on how to subscribe to the text alerts on my website. Please keep in mind that this is a one way service. Responding texts will not be received.
Tutoring Times:
Please come and see me or e-mail me if you have any questions or need any help. I am here for you!! My tutoring times are Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:50 – 3:30 or by appointment. Welcome to AHS! I look forward to a great year!
Ms. Spence