A. Powell

English 12

Course Description & Policies

I. Course Description and Goals

English 12 is an intensive study of British literature that is designed to prepare students for future English courses in the college setting as well as life beyond the school setting. Time is devoted to studying literature dated from the Anglo-Saxon period (449-1066) to the present, mastering various language objectives, and composing essays using MLA format, APA format, and the research process. By the end of the year, students will master the objectives described in the Alabama Course of Study for English Language Arts (CCRS grade 12).

Students can expect both in-class and out-of-class reading and writing assignments. Students will read and analyze selections of literature from the textbook; these selections will be fiction and nonfiction. There is one novel required for the class; however, students will be expected to read selections from the independent reading list in addition to their other readings. Students should expect much of their writing assignments to be based on our readings. In addition to these assignments, students will also complete a personal narrative, literary analysis essay, argumentative essay, a research essay, and a resume and cover letter.

II. Materials

The following materials should be brought to class every day: a charged iPad, your notebook (plastic three-ring binder with dividers), loose-leaf paper, and blue or black ink pens.

III. Discipline Plan

Listed here are my classroom rules and consequences. These rules have been implemented to provide an environment that is orderly, safe, and conducive to learning.

  1. Respect everyone and their belongings. This includes students raising their hands before they speak in order to allow everyone the opportunity to express their opinions without interruption. This also includes not touching others’ belongings.
  2. Be prepared to learn. This includes being to class and seated on time as well as having all class materials.
  3. Be prepared to think. This class is designed to make you think critically about everything. I will not give you the answers, but I will help you find them on your own.
  4. Ask before you travel. This means to ask before you leave your seat for any reason. This is also to minimize any disruptions during class. Again, it is unfair to disrupt others’ learning time.
  5. Be knowledgeable of the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct and follow these rules.

Discipline Procedures/Consequences for Misbehavior:

First Offense—teacher-student conference

Second Offense—teacher will contact parent/guardian

Third Offense—teacher imposed punishment (break or after-school detention) and conference with parent/guardian

Fourth Offense—office referral

***Although I intend to follow this plan, certain circumstances may lead to an automatic detention or an automatic office referral.***

IV. Policies

It is important to always follow the classroom rules, but there are other policies and procedures that we need to keep in mind during our time together. Again, these policies and procedures have been implemented to provide an environment that is orderly, safe, and conducive to learning.

1.  If you must leave the classroom for any reason, you must adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Please wait until instruction is complete and individual/group work has started.
  2. If it is absolutely necessary (restroom emergencies, etc.), please show respect and raise your hand to inform me of the situation.
  3. You must complete an orange (or brightly colored) pass that includes the following:
  4. Your complete name (first and last)
  5. The date
  6. The time
  7. Your destination
  8. Your pass must be signed by me at all times. If you leave the classroom without a signed pass, you will be written up for skipping. *No exceptions.
  9. If you are going anywhere other than the restroom, you must have your pass signed by the teacher, administrator, etc. that you have visited.

2.  Be prepared for class. You should have all the required materials for our class to complete any and all tasks. You will not be allowed to return to your locker or vehicle for a text, notebook, iPad, or any other materials needed for class. You will not be allowed to charge your iPad in my room; if the iPad is used responsibly throughout the day, there will be no need to charge it during class. We are adults in this classroom, and we are responsible for our actions. If you forget a text, etc. you will have to “deal without” for that class time. My policy is that you are allowed a warning. After your one warning, you will be written up for failure to have class materials. Since we use our textbook and iPad every day, there is no excuse to not have it with you. If you need a writing utensil, you may borrow one from me provided that you have collateral. This ensures that I receive my materials back at the end of the class.

3.  Respect the teacher’s desk and materials. In other words, do not simply grab something off my desk without my permission. This includes taking a pen from my desk without first seeking permission and providing collateral. *Students will be written up for not following this guideline.

4.  The use of “Cliff Notes” is not allowed; therefore, any “Cliff Notes” that you bring to class will be taken up and not returned. Websites similar to “Cliff Notes” are not allowed for use in the English classroom as well.

5.  Please be courteous and attentive (no sleeping in class). If you choose to sleep in class, you should expect to lose your points for the day’s activities because you cannot complete your assignments if you are sleeping through any part of class. *I will not allow assignments to be turned in for late work if you were sleeping.

6.  Keep the classroom neat and clear of trash, and refrain from defacing school property.

7.  Work only on English during this class period. Work that you are seen doing for another class will be taken up and will not be returned to you. *No exceptions.

8.  If you have a cell phone, it must be kept hidden and in the off position at all times during the school day. If a cell phone rings during class, it will be confiscated and turned in to the office. This rule may be found in the CODE OF CONDUCT.

V. Attendance

1.  Attendance in class is a must for all students. Missing one day is the equivalent of missing two days of class. I strongly recommend that you keep in contact with at least one of your classmates in order to keep up with the class.

2.  If you are absent from my class, you must bring an excuse from the office to enter my classroom. If you do not stop by the office and request an absentee slip before coming to my room, you will receive an unexcused tardy. *Even if you have forgotten to bring a note from home, an unexcused absence slip must be shown to me. (This rule may be found in the Student Handbook.) Valuable class time is lost by allowing students to leave the room to get their excuses. If you are absent from my class, there are folders posted on the door for each day of the week that will have make-up work in it. It is your responsibility to check these folders each time you miss a class. There will be handouts with your name on them and slips with your name and the test that you missed in each designated class’s folder (EX: first period class work; second period missed tests). It is your responsibility to make up this work within five days. If you exceed this time, I will not accept it, and you will receive a grade of 0 for that assignment or test. All make-up work should be labeled as such and placed in the basket at the front of the classroom.

3.  Being tardy is unacceptable. When you enter our classroom late, you are interrupting your fellow students’ learning process. Any time that you are late to my class, you must have a pass from the office excusing your tardy, even if it is unexcused. If you are coming from another class, you must obtain a note from the teacher. Ultimately, you should finish all necessary business before class begins. You should be in your seat when the bell rings. Walking into the classroom when the bell rings is considered tardy, which ultimately is an unexcused tardy. The classroom management plan will be followed for unexcused tardies. Note on the fifth unexcused tardy, an office referral will be written and sent to the office. *Please note the Student Handbook and the Code of Conduct.

VI. Assignments

1.  Keep your notes, grading sheet, homework, and class work in your folder. This handout, the tentative syllabus, and grade sheet should be the first three pages in your notebook. Following these handouts, your notebook should be divided into four sections: Grammar, Vocabulary, Literature, and Composition.

2.  All assignments to be handed in must be done on loose-leaf paper. Any assignments submitted through Chalkable or e-mail should be completed in a Word document unless otherwise instructed.

3.  ALL assignments to be handed in must be written LEGIBLY, IN BLUE OR BLACK INK, and in the format discussed in class. I cannot grade anything that I am unable to read, so I will not accept assignments that I cannot read.

4.  I accept late work for select class assignments and homework assignments. Late work will receive partial credit if it is turned in to me within two days from the date that it was assigned. Any time after that, you will receive a grade of 0 for that assignment. Late work should be labeled as such and placed in the basket at the front of the classroom. *I reserve the right to stop accepting late work if I see a habit of submitting most assignments for late work.

5.  Long-term assignments, such as essays, are due on or before the due date even if you are absent on the date the assignment is due. *Please see the Code of Conduct.

6.  It is YOUR responsibility to secure assignments when you are absent. *I will not chase you down to give out make-up work. It is solely up to you to keep up with the class.

7.  There is a calendar posted at the front of the room that will have major assignments and tests posted for each class. I also make every attempt to post test dates and essay due dates on my calendar found on the school’s website. To access my calendar on the website, access the school’s website, click on my name, and click calendar.

VII. Homework

1.  All homework assignments are due at the beginning of class. You cannot go to your locker, vehicle, or another class to get your assignments if you do not bring them to class. Any work that is turned in after the start of class will be counted as late work. I will not give any warnings to turn in homework assignments. It is your responsibility to keep up with your work. *No exceptions. *See above.

2.  If you are absent, homework assignments are due the day that you return. Any time after that date, your work will be counted as late work. *No exceptions.

3.  I make an effort to not assign homework every night. Therefore, I expect you to make an effort to complete homework assignments when they are given.

VIII. Tests

1.  Major tests and announced quizzes will be announced in advance. Pop quizzes are unannounced and should be expected with major reading assignments. In other words, keep up with your reading and always be prepared.

2.  If you are absent the day before an announced test, you will be required to take the test with the class. If you have been absent more than one day before a test is given, you will need to make up the test ASAP. If you have an extended absence, it is your responsibility to discuss with me a schedule for submitting your make-up work and taking any missed tests.

3.  There will be absolutely NO TALKING during a test until I let you know that everyone is finished with the test. If you are talking during a test, I will assume that you are cheating, and you will receive a zero for that test. If you have a question during the test, ask ME. No exceptions.

4.  Students who will miss class for school-sponsored field trips must take any test/quizzes in advance or make arrangements with me before leaving on the trip.

IX. Assessment Plan and Grading Policy

·  I grade using the point system. The value of class and homework assignments is based on the complexity and importance of objectives for that given assignment. Therefore, class work and homework grades will vary.

·  Homework and class assignments count as a daily grade.

·  Major tests and writing assignments will be worth at least 100 points. There will be occasions that a test may be worth more than 100 points.

·  Any projects that are completed during class or out of class are the equivalent of a test grade.

·  Quiz grades will vary, but they will never be worth more than 60 points.

·  Major tests and writing assignments will count for at least 50 percent of the nine-week average.

·  Daily grades will make up no more than 50 percent of the nine-week average.

Grades will be assigned according to the scale adopted by the Tallassee Board of Education.

Grading Scale

100-90 = A

89-80 = B

79-70 = C

69-60 = D

59 or lower = F

Keep up with your grades by recording them on the grade sheet provided. Grades will be posted in Chalkable. Progress reports can be viewed on Chalkable during the fifth week of each nine-week grading period. If it is necessary, or wanted, progress reports may be sent home more often than that.