Mr. Kortman, Content Specialist CLA Spring2010
Room F207
Mrs. Ramirez, Education Specialist
(858) 350-0253 ext. 4197
“Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little” - Tom Stoppard
Welcome to CLA Spring 2010- “To be an American”:
As you embark on this year in the CLA classroom, the emphasis on exploration and explication of your role in the learning process will become increasingly pivotal. Over the course of the next term, this class will read and analyze a variety of novels, short stories, plays and poems from American authors and artists. These texts will provide a means for students to convey their knowledge through formal essays, short writing assignments, journal entries, class discussion, and creative projects. This course will seek to challenge the ability of the student as well as to encourage growth and exploration as individuals in a community of learners. We are looking forward to a great term.
Texts and Core Works: Though not all students will read the same texts at all times, the following works will be a focus for much of the class:
The Crucible, Arthur MillerThe Great Gatsby,F. Scott Fitzgerald
Their Eyes Were Watching God, HurstonOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Kesey
Short Stories from English 11 Textbook
Various non-fiction and poetry selections from other texts
In addition to our reading, we will supplement some of the units by watching portions of films and documentaries that have been approved by the district or are appropriate for this age group. Please contact us if you have any questions or reservations about these choices.
Class Requirements: You will be required to read all assigned texts. Each unit of study will include journal writing, homework, written assignments, quizzes and exams with the occasional long-term project. Class time will be primarily dedicated to collaborative work, class discussions, and direct instruction including guidance on assignments and projects. Students should expect to complete 45-60 minutes of homework per day*. This will ensure that they are adequately prepared to use class time as efficiently as possible. Also, the first 10-15 minutes of class will be devoted to Sustained Silent Reading. SSR allows for students to engage in active reading in an environment conducive to learning. Attendance and punctuality are crucial to your success in the class.
*As participants in the CLA program, it is understood that within the structure of the class will be work time set aside to address individual accommodations regarding extended time, modeling, and access to means of support.
Materials: Students need to bring the following materials to class everyday starting 2/8/2010.
- English binder with five dividers
- Novel(s) for independent reading and assigned texts
- Classroom supplies: pens, pencils, highlighters
Grades:Assignments and grades will be posted online and can be accessed through the Aeries portal. Please contact us if you have any questions about student progress. Grades will be calculated based on a point system. The following are examples of point value ranges for various assignments: Projects50-100 points; Tests 30-50 points; Quizzes 5-15 points; Essays 50-100 points; Classwork and Homework 10-25 points; Daily Journal Writing or Silent Reading 3 points.
Grading Breakdown: Homework/Classwork—25%, Essays/Major Writing Tasks—30%, Projects—20%, Quizes/Tests—25%
Grading Scale: 90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% =C; 60-69% =D; 59% and below =F
Note: The following policies regarding work and conduct in the CLA classroom are the general expectations. Should individual needs arise that require changes in these policies, those changes will be made on a case-by-case basis with communication between parents, students, and the CLA team.
Late assignments:Late assignments will only be accepted with a late pass; students will be given two late homework passes per quarter. Late passes may not be used on long term projects or process pieces (essays). Long term projects and essayswill be marked down one letter grade (10%) for every day passed the due date. An assignment is considered on time if it is completed, printed out, and in class when the bell rings. If a student is absent on or before the due date, he/she will have one day for every day they were absent to submit assignments for full credit. Once the number of days the student was absent after the due date has passed, then the student will be penalized one letter grade for every day the assignment is late. It is the student’s responsibility to inform him/herself of missed assignments when they are absent. Make-up tests and quizzes must be scheduled with us the day the student returns to class.
Conduct Expectations: The policy concerning your conduct in the CLA classroom is one built upon respect. Respect your teachers, your classmates, and your classroom and you will be treated with respect. This means that any negative or inappropriate comments or criticism will not be tolerated. Consequences for violating any of these policies will be similar to the progression outlined in the tardy policy.
Tardy Policy – Canyon Crest Campus Wide Policy:
You need to be in your seats and ready for class to begin when the bell rings in order to not be tardy.
1st Tardy = Verbal Warning
2nd Tardy = Teacher conferences with student and/or contacts parent
3rd Tardy = Teacher refers student to a 4-hour Saturday school
4th Tardy and Subsequent Ones = Teacher refers student to assistant principal
“We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own.”
-Ben Sweetland
Academic Honesty Policy: Avoid compromising your integrity and intellectual experience by cheating. As access to information becomes ever more ubiquitous, the importance of clearly defining lines that separate one’s work from another’s has never been more important. The following page outlines exactly what is deemed acceptable in this course and is meant as a supplement to and not a replacement of the SDUHSD Academic Honesty Policy, which can be found on the district website.
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
Courtesy of Mr. Lockhart
(Borrowed, in part, from policies established by the University of Washington’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.)
Cheating, or academic misconduct, is increasingly a problem amongst high school students. Regardless of motivation, cases of academic misconduct are completely unjustified in every instance. To cheat is to demean your efforts. It causes your character to come under suspicion, and it belittles the hard work of all students. Cheating, plagiarism, or academic dishonesty, in any form, is not tolerated. The purpose of these policies is to clearly delineate examples of cheating, as well as to clearly inform students of the consequences of academic misconduct in this course.
Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:
- Using another author’s words without proper citation
- Using an author’s ideas without proper citation
- Reproducing the exact wording of another source without using quotation marks, even if the source is cited
- Borrowing the structure of another author’s words or phrases without proper credit or citation
- Borrowing all or part of another student’s paper or assignment, including borrowing the structure of another student’s words, phrases, or ideas.
- Using a paper writing service, or an online source of written assignments, or having another student complete an assignment
- This includes obtaining information, either in full or in part, from Internet websites (popularly known as “paper mills”), in which students can obtain papers either free or for cost).
Other examples of academic dishonesty:
- Cheating during a quiz or an exam, including:
- Copying answers from another student
- Possession of unauthorized notes or study-aids during a quiz or exam
- Turning in work that is identical, or substantially similar to, the work of another student:
- This is frequently a by-product of “working with another student.” In many cases, working with a partner while studying is a beneficial way of learning. However, please understand that submitting work that is identical—or quite similar to— the work of another student is considered cheating. All work should be uniquely your own.
- Purchasing or possessing materials that contain specific answers to homework assignments or exams.
Any infraction not described above, but that clearly falls under the auspices of academic dishonesty, is subject to the consequences in the Discipline Policy outlined by Canyon Crest Academy and the San Dieguito Union High School District.
Students who engage in academic misconduct will incur the following consequences:
- The student WILL lose credit for the assignment.
- The student WILL be referred to an administrator for documentation and for possible disciplinary action.
Careful planning and time management will serve as good tools to prevent instances of academic misconduct. Please do not engage in any action that will cause your integrity to be questioned. Please sign below to indicate your receipt and understanding of these policies. PLEASE DO NOT DETATCH THIS SIGNATURE PORTION. In order to earn credit, students must return the entire signed form.
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Student NameClass Period
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Student SignatureDate
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Parent/Guardian SignatureDate