Mrs. VermeeschAP English 11 2012-2013

Purpose ofThe purpose of this course is to provide students with a first-year, college-level course designed to help

the Course: students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers. AP EnglishLanguage and Composition is a class that combines the required eleventh grade curriculum with the rigor of an Advanced Placement curriculum.

Texts:50 Essays,Everyday Use, Adventures in Appreciation, Literature and Language, The Writer’s Craft, Warner’s English Grammarand Composition, and Prentice Hall Literature – The American Experience

**In addition to the texts listed above, students will read a number of novels which may include but are not limited to the following:

The Crucible, The Scarlet Letter, The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, Death of a Salesman, The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, The Secret Life of Bees, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Hiroshima, and Lord of the Flies, As I Lay Dying, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, The Winter of Our Discontent, To Kill A Mockingbird, Until the Sun Rises, and Fahrenheit 451

Grading Policy

Weighted GradesGrading Scale Percentages

45% = tests, projects, and essaysA89.5-100C+74.5-77.4

35% = quizzesA-87.5- 89.4C69.5- 74.4

20% = assignments & participationB+84.5- 87.4D+64.5- 69.4

B79.5- 84.4D59.5 – 64.4

B-77.5 - 79.4F0-59.4

Grading Your weekly grades will reflect the district grading scale. Your final grade will follow the above grading

Scale:scale. Thus, your weekly percentage can be assigned to this grading scale.

Passing theTrimester work is counted as 80% of the final grade. The term exam is counted as 20% of the final grade.

Trimester:

Homework:Homework is collected at the beginning of the hour. Students who do not complete their work earn a zero and/or receive a detention.

Late Work:Late work is accepted for 50% credit. Late work must be completed in F50.

The last day for late work is November 9, 2012.

Please do not expect time to print your work. Digital work is considered late work.

VermeeschEach trimester you are given one Vermeesch Voucher. This voucher allows you to turn in an assignment

Vouchers:one day late without penalties. Unused vouchers can be turned in for extra credit at the end of any trimester.

Participation:Participation points are earned through classroom discussions, groupwork, work checked for completion, and positive student behavior. Student behavior should not distract other classmates or impede learning.

Cheating: Students who cheat earn zero points. All acts of cheating are documented in

your student file. School administrators are notified. In the Student Code of Conduct, cheating can

lead to a 3 day suspension. Work for other teachers and subjects is confiscated.

Plagiarism:Copying and pasting is plagiarizing. Plagiarized work earns zero points.

Always include sources. Sources of information need to be included on papers, posters, multimedia presentations, etc. All acts of plagiarism are documented in student files. School administrators are notified.

Classroom Rules

  1. Be prepared to learn.
  2. Raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged before speaking or leaving your seat.
  3. Behave like an adult.

Classroom Procedures and Concerns

EverydayEach student must bring to class the assigned text,a binder, and a writing utensil. Requirements:

ClassroomStudents are expected to stay in their seats unless they have the teacher’s permission.

Behavior:Sharpen pencils and throw away trash at the beginning and end of each hour. Students need to respect all classroom furniture.

Absent Work:Students are responsible for obtaining missing assignments. It is not the teacher’s responsibility to notify students of missed work. Please check the class’s monthly calendar.

Absent work must be completed or addressed within two days to earn a grade. This includes tests and quizzes. If you are absent on the day of a test or quiz, be prepared to complete it the day you return to school.

Completed Work:All work to be graded needs to be placed in the folder at the front of the room. Misplaced work will not receive a grade.

Hall Passes and Plan to complete restroom visits and errands to the library or school offices during the Bathroom Visits: passing time. When asking to leave the room, do not disrupt the class or classroom instruction.

Tardies:If you are not in your seat by the bell, you are marked tardy. Also, I mark tardies if

you leave the room to return oversized bags to your locker or to cover clothing that does not meet the dress code.

SubstituteSubstitute teachers are guests in the room. Be sure to be helpful and on-task.

Teachers: Consequencesare given to students who misbehave for substitute teachers.

Rights to Due to laws and lawsuits, when you are in my classroom, you do not have the right to

Confidentiality:confidentiality. Know that any information shared in class can be shared with parents, counselors, administrators, and coaches.

Detentions:All detentions are served after school. Two days are allowed to complete the detention. If the detention is not served on the second day, a referral is sent to the office and parents are notified.

Consequences If you do not follow the rules and procedures, you will have to stay after class, write a

For Misbehavior:behavior plan during a detention, be removed from class, or have a conference with your

parents, me, and the administration. Know that persistent disobedience can lead to a ten-day suspension. More information can be found in the Student Code of Conduct.

ContactingMrs. Vermeesch’sconference hour is 5thhour.

Instructor

And AdditionalI am available for tutoring after school. Teachers have required meetings every Tuesday.

Help:Occasionally, teachers have meetings on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Schedule tutoring

with me. This can be done with email, in person, or by phone.

Call:(810) 667-2418ext. 3189 email: