Mrs. Kamsler, M.Ed.
Creekside High School Room 525
Email address:
Phone #: 547-7300
Planning Period: 3rd Period
Office Hours: 8:00 A.M. – 8:40 A.M. Mon., Tues, Thurs., Fri.
Textbooks:
1. Florida Collections by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
2. Ten Steps to Improving College Reading Skills by John Langan
3. Writing with Confidence, Ninth Edition by Alan Meyers
4. Advancing Vocabulary Skills, Fourth Edition by Sherrie Nist
5. The Norton Reader Anthology, Twelfth Edition by Linda Peterson and John Brereton
6. Supplementary Novels, such as Of Mice and Men, as time allows
Course Description
This course incorporates reading and writing study through writing a variety of informative texts and through the in-depth analysis of informational selections in order to develop critical reading and writing skills necessary for success in college courses. The benchmarks reflect the Florida College Competencies necessary for entry-level college courses and are also related to the College and Career Readiness (CCR) anchor standards, and the exit standards of Florida’s K-12 Common Core Standards.
Required Materials – To Be Brought Daily
Student Planner (the school supplies this for students)
Three ring binder of choice with four dividers labeled as follows: Classwork, Do-Nows, Vocabulary, and Writing
Zip Drive (to save computer work)
Black or blue pens, red pen or pencil for corrections
Pencils, sharpened
College-ruled notebook paper
One package of 4 x 6 index cards
Post-it notes (for active reading)
highlighters
Classroom Needs: (donations GRACIOUSLY accepted) – boxes of tissues, more boxes of tissues (we always run out), disinfecting wipes, post-it notes, pencils / pens, and lined paper.
Classroom Expectations
You will determine the type of classroom we will have. Hopefully, by following these few basic expectations we will have a classroom that will be stimulating and productive for all.
-Read the student handbook.
-Come ready to engage in class discussions and activities.
-Be in your seat and working on the opening assignment when the bell rings. If you are not in your seat when the tardy bell rings, you will be marked tardy.
-No food or drinks (except bottled water)
-Time is allotted between classes for locker and bathroom breaks. Please do not ask for a pass to leave the classroom for water or bathroom privileges unless it is an emergency.
-All students have the right to learn and teachers have the right to teach; therefore, treat other people the way you would like to be treated.
-The teacher dismisses the students, not the bell.
Reminder – No portable electronic devices, including cell phones and gaming systems are allowed at any time. These items will be confiscated on sight and sent to the FrontOffice.
If a student fails to comply with these expectations, the following procedure will be used:
1st offense: Warning to student
2nd offense: Call home
3rd offense: Referral to Dean
Assignments
All assignments are due at the beginning of the period. There is a basket provided on my desk for all work.
Please use blue or black ink. Write legibly. Typing is preferred.
Make-Up Work – Edmodo is updated on a daily basis and it is the responsibility of the student to check the website for any missed work. Missed tests and quizzes can be taken before school on specified days. For excused absences, a day for each day absent is allowed for makeup work.
Extra Help - Assistance is available by appointment. Please let me know if you are having difficulty understanding or completing assignments. Communication is key, and I cannot help you if I do not know that you are having trouble. My goal is to help you to succeed! Parents, the easiest way to communicate is through email. I will respond promptly to any concerns, so don't hesitate to contact me. We are a team!
Academic Integrity – It is non-negotiable that students will exhibit academic integrity at all times and in all classes at Creekside High School. All work submitted should be your own, with credit given to any expert used. Cheating, plagiarism, falsification or attempts to cheat, plagiarize or falsify will not be tolerated. Aiding others in their desire or attempts to cheat is also not permitted. Academic dishonesty will result in a zero on the assignment, a referral to the dean, and a phone call home.
Evaluation - Grading will occur on a variety of assignments, including writing, discussion responses, public speaking, group work, outside reading, tests, quizzes, and presentations.
Projects, writing assignments and tests will be worth more points than homework and quizzes.
Semester grades will be calculated according to district policy. This formula can be found in the Student Progression Plan. Parents can view grades at any time via Home Access Center (HAC). For your password, please contact the CHS guidance department.
For the District make-up policy, please refer to the Student Code of Conduct.
Grading Scale
A= 90- 100B= 80- 89C= 70- 79D= 60-69F= 0- 59
Homework
Classwork
Quizzes
Tests
Projects / Points
10
25
50
100
100 - 200
Major projects and papers will not be accepted late. If you know you will be absent on the due date, submit the project/paper early.
ESE and ELL accommodations will be addressed within the classroom.
In conclusion, keep in mind that in order to be successful in anything you choose to do, you must first learn to read, write, listenand speak well. Together, we can make this a learning year!
English IV Mrs. Kamsler Room 525
Please return this portion of the syllabus by Friday, August 14th.
Student Contract: I have read and understand Mrs. Kamsler’ s classroom guidelines and syllabus (including the grading policy) and I understand the consequences of failure to do what is expected of me in this class.
______
Student Signature Print Student Name
______
Parent Signature Print Parent Name
Preferred email address:______
Preferred daytime contact #:______
PERMISSION TO SHOW PG AND PG-13 VIDEOS/MOVIES
Sometimes there is an opportunity to view a movie or movie scene to assist with content comprehension. They might be viewed in part or whole as a class activity to enhance the study of the novels and literary time periods studied in class.
Student’s Name: ______(please print)
I give permission for my child to view PG and PG 13 movies.
Parent/Guardian Signature ______
Short Response: Reading Informational Text: LACC.11-12.R.1.2.4-6: The student will be able to determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, analyze an author’s point of view, and evaluate the effectiveness of an argument; additionally, they will analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of key terms over the course of the text.
Using the syllabus to guide your response, choose and explain 3 specific ways that you can contribute to your success in this class. Use the back of this page to write your response.
VI. Overview of the Year
1st Quarter – Who Am I?
- HMH text to include a study of Narrative and Descriptive fiction and non-fiction texts.
- Writing to include Narration and Description.
- Ten Steps to Improving College Reading Skills to include Vocabulary in Context, Main Ideas, and Supporting Details.
- Advancing Vocabulary Skills Unit 1
2nd Quarter – What Information Do I Need to Arrive at My Destination?
- HMH text to include a study of Argumentative texts.
- Writing to include an Argumentative Essay – Research Paper
- Ten Steps to Improving College Reading Skills to include Relationships I and Inferences
- Advancing Vocabulary Skills Unit 2
3rd Quarter – How Do I Fit In?
- HMH text to include a study of Comparison/Contrast and Cause/Effect
- Writing to include a Comparison/Contrast essay and Cause/Effect Esssay
- Ten Steps to Improving College Reading Skills to include Implied Main Ideas and Relationships II
- Advancing Vocabulary Skills Unit 3
4th Quarter – Reflection
- HMH and Norton Reader to include Definition, Process Analysis and Letter Writing
- Writing to include Definition, Process Analysis and Teacher Appreciation Letter.
- Ten Steps to Improving College Reading Skills to include Purpose and Tone, Argument, and Critical Reading.
- Advancing Vocabulary Skills Unit 4
- Supplementary Novel: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck