English III

Mrs. Amy Ozment

Welcome to 11th Grade English! English III is designed to enhance your reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. These skills are essential in all areas of your life!

Please review the information in this packet and sign and return the last page. Thank you!

Course Goals:

  1. Read critically and analytically including identifying an argument’s major assumptions and assertions and evaluating and supporting evidence.
  2. Write clearly and coherently in varied, academic formats (such as formal essays, research papers, and reports) using Standard English and appropriate technology to critique and improve one’s own and others’ texts.
  3. Demonstrate research skills using appropriate technology, including gathering, evaluating, and synthesizing primary and secondary sources.
  4. Support a thesis with well-reasoned arguments, and communicate persuasively across a variety of contexts, purposes, audiences, and media.
  5. Formulate original ideas and relate them to the ideas of others by employing the conventions of ethical attribution and citation.

Materials:

  • Three-ring binder (not a folder, not a notebook; I give a lot of handouts!)
  • At least two of each: black, blue, and red pen.
  • Pack of highlighters (you’ll want 4-5 colors)
  • Notebook Paper
  • Tissues
  • HHS Agenda Book (students receive in homeroom; this will also serve as your hall pass)
  • Clear page protectors for important handouts (You will only need a few.)
  • Regular access to a computer, printer, and Internet. You will be asked to print readings from time-to-time. If this is going to be a problem, please speak with me in advance. Don’t forget that our libraries are open before and after school and during lunch!

*Sticky-notes, dividers, and a flash-drive (does not have to be new!) are recommended.

Attendance:

  • When the bell rings, be in your assigned seat with all of your required materials.
  • If you arrive after the bell, you are tardy. After three offenses, a tardy referral form will be sent to your grade-level administrator.

Absences/Make-up Work:

  • If you are absent, make up work will be available for you in the classroom in a designated area. It is your responsibility to check the classroom calendar and get any missing work from the make-up work bin and to schedule make-up work due dates with me the day you return from an absence.
  • If you are absent, all homework due the day of your absence is due on the day you return. However, many test, paragraph, essay, term paper, and project assignments are made long prior to due dates. Therefore, these assignments are not considered make-up work even if a student is absent the day before. These types of assignments remain due on their assigned due date.

Grading and Assignments:

  • We use a total points grading system which makes it easy to “weight” assignments without calculating category percentages.
  • Students will be graded on their mastery of a skill.
  • Students will be authentically assessed from a variety of methods since all students do not have the same strengths.
  • All assignments are posted for students on the dry-erase board at the front of the room. I encourage students to write everything down in an agenda book, but if all else fails, check my website and/or Schoology for weekly updates.

Late Work:

  • 20% off the grade earned each day late, up to 3 school days
  • After 3 days, max of 40% for work submitted

Retest/Resubmit for Tests and Major Assignments:

  • Students who earn less than a 70% on tests and major assignments are eligible for a redo.
  • Student must initiate retake and fill out a “Request to Retest/Resubmit” form within five days after the graded test/major assignment is returned. If this process is not completed in the five day period, the failing grade stands.
  • The maximum make up grade will be 70%.

Plagiarism and Cheating

  • Our English department demands integrity. A student who plagiarizes or cheats will be given a zero.
  • Student will receive an Honor Code infraction.

Behavior in class:

  • Respect yourself, each other, me, and property within the classroom.
  • Raise your hand and wait until called upon to speak so everyone can hear you.
  • Please stay at your desk until instructed to move.
  • Keep cell phones away.
  • Be positive and participate.

Consequences:

  • Warning
  • Conference with teacher after class
  • Telephone parent/guardian
  • Discipline referral

Website:

  • Please check my website for a link to Schoology, where I will regularly post about assignments and assessments.

Above all else, I am here to see my students succeed and to do whatever I can to help achieve that. The best way to contact me is via email. I encourage both students and parents to email me with questions or concerns.

Teacher

I, Mrs. Ozment, pledge that I will strive to maintain a productive classroom, will respect the feelings and needs of my students, and will be available to address any concerns that arise during this year.

______

Teacher Signature

Student

I, ______, understand the class expectations and pledge that I will put forth my best effort, will respect myself, my peers, and my teachers, and will do all that is required of me to be successful in this class.

______

Student Signature Date

Parent/Guardian

I/We, ______, understand the course expectations and pledge that I/we will remain committed to our child’s success in English and will talk to Mrs. Ozment about any concerns I/we might have during the school year.

______

Parent Signature Date

______

Parent Email Address Parent Daytime Phone Number

Please take a few minutes and write down anything you would like me to know about your child. This will be kept confidential.