Mrs. Natalie AspaasRoom E111
English Language Arts 1-2 (H) Voice Mail: (623) 376-3141
Course Description: This course uses a thematic approach to world literature drawing from a wide variety of multicultural selections. Subject matter includes both traditional classics and contemporary authors. Students will be expected to read at least two examples of classical literature each semester from a recommended reading list. Throughout the course, students will be provided with a myriad of opportunities to understand, evaluate, and clearly communicate ideas through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This course offers expanded opportunities to use 21st century skills to enhance the learning experience and enhance course themes. This course is aligned with Arizona College and Career Ready standards and supports the school-wide efforts in increasing student achievement.
Course Objectives: By the time the student completes this course of study, the student will know or be able to:
- Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
- Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Grading: Grades are based on a percentage of all possible points: (100%-90%=A, 89%-80%=B, 79%-70%=C, 69%-60%=D, 59% and lower=F).
- Grades are cumulative for the semester. The first and second semester grades will be weighted as follows: 35% writing & language, 30% reading, 15% speaking & listening, and 20% final exam.
- No extra credit will be accepted.
Report Cards: In an effort to conserve resources and harness the capacity of our electronic grade reporting program (PowerSchool), district schools will no longer print hard copies of report cards unless requested by individual parents. To request a hard copy of your student’s report card, please contact the front office at 623-376-3000. To receive your Power School login, please stop into the office with a valid photo ID.
Power School Online Access: Grades and attendance may be accessed 24 hours a day online with your Power School access code. Access codes are available in the Administration Office Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. You may check student progress regularly on the Power School site using the same login for one or more students. For Mountain Ridge parents/guardians without home computer access, a computer with guest login capability is available in the Counseling Conference Room.
Technology: Because we are becoming a technology rich campus, we are expanding the use of technology as a learning tool. Electronic devices will be increasingly integrated into the curriculum to reinforce critical thinking, collaboration, and cognitive engagement. I will designate during which activities students may use an electronic device, and I will articulate how the device should be used appropriately. If a violation of the stipulated use occurs, consequences will be enforced in accordance with the Mountain Ridge Student Handbook. While we strive to maintain a safe environment, Mountain Ridge is not responsible for lost or stolen devices brought from home.
Academic Assistance/Office Hours: In addition to the Academic Prep times built into our schedule each week, additional assistance/tutoring is provided on a weekly basis both by MRHS and individually by instructors. These office hours will be posted in the classroom and/or on my website at the start of each week. I will demonstrate to the students how to find my availability each week. I also encourage students to write down my availability each week in their Mountain Ridge planner (provided by the school) so that you, too, are aware of my weekly availability.
Academic Integrity: As stated in the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards, students need to be college and career ready when graduating high school. To meet this standard, students will be expected to accurately and consistently cite all sources used in their work and to submit designated assignments to turnitin.com, a plagiarism detection service. If it is determined that student work is plagiarized, appropriate consequences will be enforced per school policy. Consult the Mountain Ridge High School Student Style Handbook and Uniform Documentation Guide to learn how to avoid plagiarizing.
Make-up Work and Long-Term Project Policies: After an excused absence, a student has one school day for each day missed to make up work/tests, regardless of the number of days absent. It is the student’s responsibility to get the assignments (please see the classroom procedures handout). If a student will be absent for a significant period of time, his/her parent/guardian may call in for a homework request at the counseling office. Please note: being swept is not an absence. If a student has been swept the day an assignment is due, the assignment is still due by the end of the day. It is also the student’s responsibility to get any assigned materials on the same day of the sweep and have it prepared on the due date. Long-term projects are due on the due date; there will be no exceptions! This supersedes the make-up policy above.
Excused and Unexcused Absences: Credit for make-up work will only be offered to students with an excused absence. Class work missed as a result of an unexcused absence will result in a zero for that day. This includes quizzes, tests, labs, projects, participation points, etc. that were completed that day.
Making-up Quizzes and Tests: A student who has an excused absence on a quiz or test day, MUST reschedule with his/her instructorupon returning to class. If he/she does not schedule a day and time to make up the missed test/quiz the day he/she returns to class, the student will NOT be permitted to make up the test/quiz.
Retake and Late Work Policies: The MRHS English Language Arts Department does not offer retakes on any quizzes, tests, or exams; however, teacher-selected opportunities for composition revisions and rewrites will be made available. Late work will not be accepted.
Paper Submission and Turnitin.com: Students will need to provide a hard copy of essays to the instructor unless otherwise noted. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the hard copy (no emails, flash drives, etc.); all papers must be printed out and turned in at the beginning of the class period on the designated day or it is considered late. If a student has an excused absence, his/her paper must be time stamped in the front office by 3 p.m. on the due date. When instructed tosubmit compositions to turnitin.com, all papers must be submitted on or before 11:59 p.m. on its due date. If a student does not submit a paper to turnitin.com on the given due date, 10 percentage points will be deducted for each school day the paper is not submitted (note: the hard copy must be turned in on time for the essay to receive a grade; the 10% per day will be deducted if the turnitin.com submission is late). Once the student submits his/her essay to turnitin.com, he/she must also print or take a picture of the receipt generated from turnitin.com.
Recommended Supplies for this Course:
1. Blue or black pen, a sharpened pencil and a highlighter.
2. Loose-leaf college ruled paper for your homework assignments (spiral notebook paper will not be accepted).
3. Notebook (3-ring binder) with the required elements listed on the ELA Notebook handout (as stated on the ELA Notebook handout, students do not need a separate 3-ring binder for this class).
4. MRHS Student Style Handbook/Uniform Documentation Guide (provided).
5. MRHS Student Handbook (provided by 2nd period teacher).
6. One outside reading book per quarter as specified in class.
7. A flash drive (can be used in other classes).
8. The following novels will be studied in class. Although copies are provided, many students choose to purchase their own so they can mark and/or write on the pages: To Kill a Mockingbird, Bless Me, Ultima, The Odyssey, Wuthering Heights and Romeo and Juliet.
Course Rules: I have the following expectations of my classroom:
- Treat self and others with respect and dignity. Listen when others are speaking. Only one person will talk at a time. No put downs or profanity and please be considerate of others.
- Take responsibility for your own actions. There are consequences for both your positive and negative behavior.
- Be open-minded and communicate honestly. If you have a conflict with anyone, including your teacher, contact him or her quietly and privately. Conflict does not need an audience.
- Be prepared to learn and participate. Bring pen/pencil to class every day. If you bring all of your materials to class you will be on your way to being successful. Be in your seat when the bell rings; do not pack up until I let you know that class is over. I dismiss you, not the bell.
- Have pride for your campus and community. No hats in the building. Do not use your cell phone in class unless instructed to do so as part of an instructional activity. Clean up after yourself, do not bring food or drinks to class, and leave the classroom clean.
Disciplinary Consequences: If you are unable to abide by the course rules, your consequences will follow suit in a succeeding manner: verbal warning, conference with teacher + parent phone call, administrative referral + parent phone call. Other examples of negative consequences: seating change and removal from class. Note: major violations will warrant an immediate referral.
Finally…
I do not anticipate discipline problems;
I do anticipate a stellar year of working, learning, laughing, and caring in my classroom.
Mrs. Aspaas
English Language Arts 1-2H
Please read the syllabus for this course which can be accessed at: dvusd.org/mrhs-aspaas.
I have read and understand all of the guidelines set forth in the syllabus for this class.
Student Printed Name______Student Signature______
Parent/Guardian Signature______Date______
Parent/Guardian Email______Cell #______
Please write legibly.
English Language Arts 1-2H
Please read the syllabus for this course which can be accessed at: dvusd.org/mrhs-aspaas.
I have read and understand all of the guidelines set forth in the syllabus for this class.
Student Printed Name______Student Signature______
Parent/Guardian Signature______Date______
Parent/Guardian Email______Cell #______
Please write legibly.
English Language Arts 1-2H
Please read the syllabus for this course which can be accessed at: dvusd.org/mrhs-aspaas.
I have read and understand all of the guidelines set forth in the syllabus for this class.
Student Printed Name______Student Signature______
Parent/Guardian Signature______Date______
Parent/Guardian Email______Cell #______
Please write legibly.
English Language Arts 1-2H
Please read the syllabus for this course which can be accessed at: dvusd.org/mrhs-aspaas.
I have read and understand all of the guidelines set forth in the syllabus for this class.
Student Printed Name______Student Signature______
Parent/Guardian Signature______Date______
Parent/Guardian Email______Cell #______
Please write legibly.