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Syllabus for English I/Read 180: Journeys from Struggle to Power and Justice

Fall 2010

Dear Students,

Welcome to Parkway North High School and English I/Read 180, a co-taught intensive English and reading skills program! We are very excited about the reading and writing journey we will take this semester as together we create a vibrant learning community. We want you to know that each and every one of you has a vital role to play in that effort: we need all of your voices.

We will provide small group and individual instruction, and you will work with each of us. The class meets every day.

Sincerely,

Ms. Dana RegenbogenMs. Cindy KrusieMs. Wendy Surinsky

415-7665415-5681415-7683

Course Work

  • Class and homework assignments
  • Freewriting in class
  • Silent Sustained Reading (SSR)
  • Oral presentations
  • Participation in class discussions and other class projects
  • Quizzes, exams, and projects
  • Blogging
  • Interviews

Materials

  • Parkway North Planner
  • Blue or black pens
  • Pencils
  • Three-ring binder specifically for English 1/Read 180
  • Four dividers
  • Sticky notes for annotating texts

Ground Rules for Class Participation

1. Our class is a community, and respect is the sunlight our community needs to grow. Respect the members of your learning community—yourself, your classmates, your teachers, and your school.

2. Come prepared to learn. Bring a pen, paper, and an open mind.

3. Honor your questions and the questions of others.

4. Act for justice to create a safe community for yourself and others. In this class, we will challenge racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, and other forms of discrimination, so we ask that you refrain from using language that challenges the dignity of any individual or group of people.

5. Commit to resolving conflicts peacefully.

Disrespecting classmates and/or the instructor, including by participating in side conversations, will not be tolerated. Disrespectful/disruptive behavior will be responded to in the following way:

  • We will speak with you individually after the first incident.
  • We will respond to additional disrespect/disruption by assigning a detention and calling your parent(s) or guardian(s).

Electronics Policy

Please turn cell phones off and remove headphones before coming to class. Please keep your cell phone and other electronic devices in your backpack during class. If your phone is out during class, the first time we will take and hold it until the end of class as well as assign a detention. If your phone is out again, we will bring it to your grade level principal and assign a detention.

Attendance

  • Coming to class on time every day will make a tremendous difference to your learning experience.
  • If you are late to class, please hand us your pass and sit down with as little interruption as possible.
  • If you receive three unexcused tardies, you will be assigned a detention.

Absences and Late Work

  • If you miss class, it is your responsibility to collect any handouts and assignments you missed.
  • Please check the class website at assignments, and please e-mail us at , , or th any questions.
  • Turn in your work on time to receive credit. Late work will not be accepted.
  • If you are absent on the day an assignment is due and your absence is excused, you can turn in the assignment when you return to school. If your absence is not excused, you may not turn in assignments due when you were out of class.
  • All major papers must be word-processed according to English Department and MLA style (which you will learn in class).
  • If you miss a test or quiz, you must make it up during Academic Lab. It is your responsibility to schedule the make up test.

Restroom

Attached are six restroom passes that you may use this semester during English I. Once you have used these passes, Ms. Surinsky will not excuse you from class to use the restroom.

Food and Drink

Except on special occasions—which will be announced in class—please do not bring anything other than water to class to drink. You may not eat in class.

Evaluation

You will receive two grades for this class: one grade for English I and a second grade for Read 180.

Your grade for English I will be based on the following:

  • 45% on major writing assignments, projects, tests, and quizzes;
  • 35% on in-class and homework assignments;
  • 10% on class participation;
  • and 10% on the final exam.

Your grade for Read 180 will be based on the following:

  • 90% on in-class assignments and projects
  • and 10% on participation

Getting Extra Help

We are committed to your success. If you have a question or a concern about class or an assignment, please let us know. Ms. Surinsky is available to provide additional help during Academic Lab as well as after school by appointment. Ms. Regenbogen is available to provide additional help during Academic Lab in the English loft. Ms. Krusie is available to provide additional help during Academic Lab in Room2510as well as before and after school by appointment. Just ask.

English I Semester at a Glance

Unit One:reading strategies

Unit Two:short stories

Unit Three:A Raisin in the Sun

Read 180 Semester at a Glance

Unit One:Scholastic R Book

Tears of a Tiger

Unit Two:Boot Camp

Unit Three:Forged by Fire

Additional Note: This overview is subject to change according to instructional and student needs.

Objectives:

By the end of the semester, you will be able to say with confidence:

While reading, I can use active reading strategies to:

  • monitormy level of understanding,
  • annotate the text,
  • questionthe text,
  • make predictions,
  • recognize when I am confused,
  • make connections,
  • infer, and
  • find the main idea.

While reading short fiction, I can:

  • identify the elements of fiction (plot, setting, character, conflict, point-of-view),

AND

  • explain how these elements are used to advance the theme.

While writing, I can:

  • follow a writing process;
  • beaware of my audience;
  • write an essay with a thesis (strong controlling idea) and relevant, specific supporting details;
  • create an effective beginning, middle, and end;
  • use effective paragraphing and transitions;
  • summarize examples,
  • embed quotes,and
  • interpretpassages of text.

Restroom Pass
Name:
Date:
Time:
From: Room 2609
To: Restroom
Ms. Surinsky / Restroom Pass
Name:
Date:
Time:
From: Room 2609
To: Restroom
Ms. Surinsky
Restroom Pass
Name:
Date:
Time:
From: Room 2609
To: Restroom
Ms. Surinsky / Restroom Pass
Name:
Date:
Time:
From: Room 2609
To: Restroom
Ms. Surinsky
Restroom Pass
Name:
Date:
Time:
From: Room 2609
To: Restroom
Ms. Surinsky / Restroom Pass
Name:
Date:
Time:
From: Room 2609
To: Restroom
Ms. Surinsky

I ______have read the above policies and expectations of Ms. Surinsky, Ms. Regenbogen, and Ms. Krusie and have discussed them with my parent(s)/guardian(s).

______

Student SignatureDate

I/We ______have read the above policies and expectations of Ms. Surinsky, Ms. Regenbogen, and Ms. Krusie and have discussed them with my/our child.

______

Signature of Parent(s) or Guardian(s)Date

Contact Information for Parent or Guardian ______:

name

Home Phone Number of Parent(s) or Guardian(s): ______

Work Phone Number of Parent(s) or Guardian(s): ______

Cell Phone Number of Parent(s) or Guardian(s): ______

E-mail Address of Parent(s) or Guardian(s): ______

Contact Information for Second Parent or Guardian ______:

name

Home Phone Number of Parent(s) or Guardian(s): ______

Work Phone Number of Parent(s) or Guardian(s): ______

Cell Phone Number of Parent(s) or Guardian(s): ______

E-mail Address of Parent(s) or Guardian(s): ______