John F. Kennedy High School - Spring 2017
Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC) – Mrs. Koskela
Class Expectations, Class Policies, and Course Objectives
My expectations for all students are listed below. If you do all of these things, you will be successful in this class.
- You will be in class punctually every day and ready to work with all necessary and appropriate materials.
- You will complete all assignments (including classwork and homework) on time and to the best of your ability.
- You will not have electronics, food, drinks, or personal care items out during class time.
- You will be respectful of all other people in the class at all times.
What you should bring to class every day: Bring a binder with dividers and paper, pens, pencils, a highlighter, and your textbook (the paperback book of readings or your novel) for writing, discussion, and annotation purposes.
What to do if you are absent: Clear your absence by bringing a note to the Attendance Office immediately! Students with uncleared absences may not make up work, and all uncleared absences are considered truancies.
Homework: Homework is given Monday through Thursday and is due the next class day unless otherwise stated. All assignments are posted daily on the school website at jfkcougars.org. If you have difficulty accessing the assignments, please let me know. If you are absent, you are expected to access the assignment online and turn it in when you return.
Cell Phone Policy: Students are expected to turn off all cell phones as soon as the tardy bell rings each day. Phones and listening devices should then be put into the student's bag or backpack until the bell rings to signal the end of class. Students who have their cell phones out during class without permission may lose participation points.
Hall Pass Policy: The hall pass is for emergencies only. If a student needs to use the hall pass, he or she must do so after the first 15 minutes of class and before the last 15 minutes of class. Students must fill out the hall pass completely before leaving class. If a student has extenuating circumstances that require him or her to leave class frequently, he or she should discuss it with me privately.
Extra credit policy: Extra credit is additional work above and beyond what is assigned in class; it is not a replacement for the regular work. A few small extra credit assignments will be made available over the course of the semester.
How are grades determined? All assignments count toward the final semester grade, with some categories receiving a greater emphasis. The following is the tentative grading policy for the four marking periods of the spring semester. I reserve the right to make changes in the grading breakdown for any marking period, including the final one.
5 week10 week15 week20 week
Journals and Writing 30% 30% 30% 30%
Homework 10% 10% 10% 10%
Google Classroom 10% 10% 10% 10%
Warmups 10% 10% 10% 10%
Classwork/Projects 10% 10% 10% 10%
Quizzes/Tests/Final 20% 20% 20% 20%
Participation 10% 10% 10% 10%
The participation grade will include points for attending daily, being punctual, making good use of class time, and actively participating in all class activities. Use of electronic devices during class time (unless specifically approved) may result in a loss of points and, consequently, a lowering of the participation grade.
Late work: Late work will be marked down (except in case of absence) and will not be accepted after a marking period has closed. Remember that absences must be cleared to turn in work late without penalty.
Remind: Remind is an app that will enable me to send reminders to students about assignments and due dates in the form of text messages. Students may also text me with questions or problems. No phone numbers are exchanged. If students are unable or unwilling to their phones for this, it may also be done online through e-mail.
How do you know your grade? Grades are posted at login.jupitered.com. If a student needs to get or reset a code, see me during class. If a parent needs to get or reset a code, please e-mail me at , and I will send you your code. You can set up your account to receive an update every time a grade is updated, or you can choose to login at your convenience. Please e-mail me at the e-mail above with questions or concerns.
A = 90 – 100% B = 80 – 89% C = 65 – 79% D = 50 – 64% Fail = under 50%
If you need help: If you have questions or need help, please ask! You can always talk to me during class, before or after class, before or after school, or at lunch. If you need more intensive assistance, we can schedule more time. My goal is to have every student complete this course successfully.
Course Objective and Syllabus for ERWC
Course Objective: The primary objective for this course is to provide instruction for students in the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and to prepare them for freshman level English at the college or university level. Passing both semesters of this course is a requirement for graduation.
Each module will include assignments in reading, vocabulary, grammar, discussion and other class activities, journal responses, and an essay or other culminating activity. Not all modules will be covered; students are welcome to independently explore the units we will not have time to cover in class.
The time frames listed below are approximate and subject to change.
Spring 2017
Weeks 1 – 4Module 4: The Value of Life
Weeks 5 – 8 Module 9: Language, Gender, and Culture
Weeks 9 - 13Module 12: Bullying
Week 14Spring Break
Weeks 15 - 19Module 11: Brave New World
Week 20 Review and Final Exams (Thursday/Friday)
Week 21Senior Activities/Graduation Rehearsal/Graduation
Notes:
- In addition to the modules above, we will be working on certain elements of the senior portfolio during the first half of the semester including the cover letter.
- Seniors will be presenting their portfolios to an administrator and a parent between March 20 and April 5.
- Parents and students can find information about the senior portfolio at the school website, jfkcougars.org. On the website, click on “students” on the top toolbar, then click on “senior forms” and find what you need.
- If that does not work, students may ask questions in class or send e-mails and parents may e-mail me with questions. My e-mail is posted below.
Contact Mrs. Koskela any time at .