Multi-Cultural Academy Charter School 2016-2017

Ms. Wiseley Room 202

English 1

Introduction:

I would like to start off by welcoming you all to English 1! I am very excited about this new school year, as I hope you are too. I have worked hard to prepare a curriculum that I feel will make you a better reader and writer and that will keep us stimulated and entertained throughout the entire year. Like anything in life, you will only get out of this course what you put into it. I have very high expectations for every single one of you and I have no doubt that you all can be successful in my class.

Course Description:

This course is a literature course, which will provide you with an overview of different genres of literature. Your reading assignments will be accompanied by questions that you will answer as you read in order to become a better reader and a more critical thinker. Books that we may be reading, but are not limited to are:

Various Short Stories by Various Authors

Short Stories and poems by Edgar Allen Poe

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

The Miracle Worker by William Gibson

Night by Elie Wiesel

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The Odyssey by Homer

There will also be a number of writing assignments and required projects in English I including but not limited to the following:

Presenting scenes from Romeo and Juliet and The Miracle Worker

Writing an original short story that incorporates successful plot, setting, and characters

Writing literary analysis essays

Writing a research paper about the Civil Rights Movement

Writing a personal memoir about an event in your life

Course Requirements:

Required Materials: You will also need to have the following with you EVERY DAY, unless otherwise noted by Ms. Wiseley:

1. At least 2 Pens – Blue or Black Ink Only

2. Literature Book or novel we are reading at the time

3. Journal (must be a marble composition book).

4. 3-ring binder with loose-leaf paper

5. Assignment book

If you do not have all of the above items, you will be considered unprepared for class and will be given a zero for the period. Multiple offenses may result in a detention, an AD, or a meeting with your parents and Mr. Higgins.

Grading

Your grades will be based on your classwork, homework, quizzes, tests, and projects. Your grade will be determined by the number of points you gain out of the total number of points.

Classroom Procedures

  1. Upon arrival to class, take your assigned seat and immediately begin copying the homework assignment into your assignment book.
  2. After you have copied the homework assignment, begin the “Do Now.”
  3. Homework should be out on your desk to be checked or collected.
  4. You are required to keep a journal in this class. Your journal will be checked and graded for completion once a marking period and will be worth a test grade. A journal is a great way to express your feelings in a private manner and to work on your writing. Journals will be kept private! I will nevershare your work with ANYONE without your permission. ANYONECAUGHT READING ANOTHER STUDENT’S JOURNAL WITHOUT PERMISSION WILL BE RECOMMENDED BY MS. WISELEY TO BE PUNISHED TO THE MAXIMUM DEGREE POSSIBLE.
  5. All homework assignments must be turned in by the due date that I give you. No late work will be accepted after that due date. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to contact a classmate and/or me for all missed assignments. I will not remind you.
  6. All projects and take-home tests must be turned in by the assigned due date. The assignment will drop a letter grade for every day it is late.
  7. If you are absent when a test or quiz is given, you have one week from the dayof the assigned test/quiz date to take it. Failure to so will result in a zero. ITIS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, NOT MS. WISELEY, TO SCHEDULE THE MAKE UP TEST/ QUIZ.

Classroom Rules:

  1. BE IN YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT BEFORE THE BELL RINGS

This class begins at ______. You are expected to be seated, quiet, and prepared when the bell rings. No one will be accepted into class after the bell rings without a signed pass from a teacher or staff member.

  1. BE PREPARED

You are expected to have your 3-ring binder, journal, paper, pens, textbook, and assignment book everyday.

  1. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS THE FIRST TIME

Pay attention to the directions given by me the first time and you will do less work.

  1. RAISE YOUR HAND, DON’T CALL OUT!

You must raise your hand and wait to be called upon before you ask or answer a question. If you call out, you will not receive any class participation credit, and your question will not be answered. You also need to show that you are actively listening and focusing in class. You should sit up straight and remain focused for the entire period. Do not put your head on the desk or lean back in your chair.

  1. RESPECT YOURSELF, OTHERS, AND ALL PROPERTY

Insulting, abusive, or disrespectful language toward or about any other person will not be tolerated. You may not touch other people’s property without their permission.

Other Rules

  1. CHEATING IS UNACCEPTABLE.

If you are caught cheating, copying, plagiarizing, or allowing another student to copy an assignment (test, quizzes, homework, classwork, etc.) you will be required to have a conference with me and your parents, stay after school, and you will receive a zero for the assignment.

  1. HEAD ON DESK

You are not allowed to put your head on the desk. I don’t care if you were sleeping or not, don’t put your head on the desk. Get the proper amount of sleep at home and you will be able to hold your head up all day.

  1. USE COMPLETE SENTENCES WHEN WRITING AND SPEAKING.

This class will be free of clichés, emoticons, and abbreviations like “lol” or “u” instead of “you”. While I don’t expect perfection, you should speak as intelligently and thoughtfully as possible.

Conclusion:

I am very excited for this coming year. I hope you are too. Once we get these simple rules and procedures down, we will be able to grow together as we learn about each other, literature and life. I am ALWAYS available to help you when you need it – you only need to ask.

Contact Information

E-mail:

Phone: 215-227-0513 x202

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Please sign and return this portion

I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE RULES AND PROCEDURES EXPLAINED IN THIS SYLLABUS. I PROMISE TO FOLLOW THEM AND TO WORK HARD AND DO EVERYTHING IT TAKES TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

Student’s Name ______

Student’s Signature______Date______

I HAVE READ THE RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR MS. WISELEY’S CLASS AND UNDERSTAND THAT MY CHILD MUST FOLLOW THEM IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN ENGLISH 1.

Parent’s Signature______Date______