Teacher: Mrs. Tammy Rastoder

Fall 2013 Course Syllabus

Teacher: Mrs. Tammy Rastoder

Room: 90

E-mail:

Phone: 270-467-7500

Website: access my website at southwarrenhigh.com or warrencountyschools.org

Schedule: 1st Block—Creative Writing

2nd Block—English IV

SWORD Time

3rd Block—English IV

4th Block—Planning

Course Objectives:

This course is designed to allow students the opportunity to experiment with writing that expresses the writer's thoughts and feelings in an imaginative, unique, and poetic way. Students will be creative but should also be organized in keeping up with the different drafts of each writing piece. Students will produce complete, revised pieces of writing in 5 genres.

Overview of Content:

This elective course will focus on reading andwriting in a variety of genres.Students will write journal entries, participate in other writing exercises, and develop their writing skills through review of grammar, usage, and literary elements. They will also read each other’s work and offer thoughtful feedback. Students will read and write in the following genres:

v  Poetry

v  Creative nonfiction (essays, memoir)

v  Fiction (short stories and flash fiction)

v  Graphic literature (such as comic strips, manga, or children’s books)

v  Drama (one-act play and/or movie)

*Occasionally, our class may view films based on readings. These films will be rated G, PG, or PG-13. Parents who object to films with any of these ratings should notify the teacher so that other arrangements can be made for their children.

Presentations:

Students may be involved in group and individual projects that will entail standing up in front of the class and presenting their findings to their peers.

At the teacher’s discretion, the above information and requirements may be substituted or changed based on the availability of materials or modification of policy or curriculum.

Necessary Supplies:

Ø  Three-ring binder

Ø  Loose-leaf paper

Ø  Spiral notebook for journal writing

Ø  Blue or black ink pens

Ø  Colored pencils

Ø  Flash drive (useful but not required)

Ø  Donations of pencils, tissues, and hand sanitizer are much appreciated!

*NOTE: Students who do not bring the necessary materials to class are unable to participate as required and will receive a ZERO for assignments, quizzes, or tests given.

Grades:

Grades will be determined on a point system. Grades may reflect homework, quizzes (including pop), tests, projects, presentations, participation, writing, etc. Please make an effort to keep up with your own grades throughout the course of the semester. The grading scale conforms to the Warren County policy: A=90-100 B=80-89 C=70-79 D=60-69 F=0-59

The thing about writers that people don’t realize is that a lot of what they do is play.

--Margaret Atwood

Start with your childhood. Plug your nose and jump in, and write down all your memories as truthfully as you can. Flannery O'Connor said that anyone who survived childhood has enough material to write for the rest of his or her life.-- Anne Lamott

Writing is a matter of wakeful dreaming.—Edna O’Brien

Don't try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It's the one and only thing you have to offer. ~ Barbara Kingsolver

In my own work, I usually revise through forty or fifty drafts of a poem before I begin to feel content with it. Other poets take longer.—Mary Oliver

If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.

~Toni Morrison

All that I hope to say in books, all that I ever hope to say, is that I love the world.

--E.B. White

Writing is the greatest invention of the world.—Abraham Lincoln

Procedures are necessary for just about every activity in life. Following classroom procedures enables us to make the best use of our time to master all of our learning objectives.

Beginning of Class

·  Clear your desk of all unneeded materials, including purses, jackets, mirrors, brushes, makeup, calculators, and books and homework from other classes.

·  If there is an assignment posted on the board, begin working. Write until the teacher says time is up.

·  You must be seated and working when the tardy bell rings. If you are walking into the room (or walking around in the room) when the tardy bell rings, you may be counted tardy.

Being Prepared

· Bring all books and materials to class and take them with you when you leave. Unfortunately, I cannot provide supplies for you, and I do not have room to keep all my students’ materials in my classroom.

· Come to class prepared to work and learn.

· Complete homework assignments on time and bring them to class when they are due. (See Late Work below.)

·  Keep your work organized (in chronological order) in your 3-ring binder.

·  Keep your work, even writing exercises. These will come in handy when you are choosing pieces to be revised and submitted for a grade.

Assignments

·  Write your first and last name and class period at the top right side of your paper.

·  Neatness counts. I must be able to read your writing to give you full credit for your work.

·  Use loose-leaf paper. No raggedy, ruffled edges!

·  Center the title at the top of the page, without quotation marks (for example: My Summer Vacation).

·  Leave space on the side margins and at the bottom for teacher comments.

· Cheating WILL NOT be tolerated in my class. I consider cheating to be stealing anyone else’s work and calling it your own. This includes but is not limited to copying from another student or allowing another student to copy your work and turning in work that you copied from the internet or any published source. If any of this behavior is observed, you will receive a zero on the assignment or test and disciplinary action may follow.

Hall Passes

· If you need to go to the bathroom or the office, please do not disrupt class to make this request. Come to my desk and sign and date the hall pass sheet. I will keep track of your hall passes for the semester. Since we have 7 minutes between classes, you should have time to go to the bathroom at least once a day if you use your time wisely. If you reach 5 hall pass requests in my class, I will contact your parent/guardian to discuss this issue and will require a medical excuse for future bathroom visits during my class.

Food and Drinks

· Because of past problems with ants and general nastiness due to students spilling food and drinks, I do not allow gum, food, and drinks in the classroom. The only exceptions are bottled water, mints, and food that is necessary for medical reasons (medical request must be on file). It is important to keep our school clean and beautiful!

Technology in the Classroom

· Cell phones may be used in the hallways and in the cafeteria. Cell phones and other technology devices are to be used in the classroom only with the teacher’s permission—for example, looking up information needed for work you are doing in class or studying vocabulary words on a flash card app.

· Cell phone sound must be turned off in class.

· If you have a technology device out during class without my permission, I will take it up and keep it until the end of the class period. If this happens again, I will turn it in to the office as a technology violation.

Late Work

· Students are expected to turn in all assignments on time. Smaller homework assignments (worth 25 points or less) will not be accepted late. Larger assignments such as essays will be accepted late but will lose 10% of the total point value of the assignment for every school day that the assignment is late.

Make-up Work

· When you return to class after an excused absence, check the class calendar and retrieve any handouts from the “While You Were Out” file.

· Make arrangements with me after class to make up any quizzes or tests that you missed. You may make up the test/quiz before school, after school, or during ESS (Thursday after school).

· Make-up work must be completed within 3 days of your absence.

· When turning in excused late work, always include a written reminder on the assignment of the day(s) you were absent so that I will know not to deduct points.

· Remember: it is the student’s responsibility to check the class calendar to see what was missed and to schedule make-up quizzes/tests. I have many students, but you have only yourself to keep up with. I will NOT remind you of what you need to make up!

ESS and Tutoring

· Extended school services are offered in the library each Thursday from 2:30 to 4:00. Student may take make-up quizzes and tests or receive free tutoring services.

· Students will need to fill out an ESS form and return it to Guidance in order to participate and use bus transportation.

· See me if you would like additional help with any assignments. I will be happy to arrange a time before or after school to work with you.

Emergencies

· We will practice fire and tornado evacuation procedures.

· In case of earthquake, stay inside, get under your desk, and cover the sides of your head with your arms.

· In case of lockdown, move away from the door and remain completely silent.

I look forward to working with each of you this school semester. I am positive that we can work together to have an exciting educational experience. I will do my best to help each and every one of you achieve success and meet the goals set. Please feel free to ask questions or request extra help. I am available before and after school and during my planning to talk or meet with you and your parents. Let’s all work together for a GREAT semester!

Tammy Rastoder

Teacher, Student, & Parent/Guardian Agreement

It is so important that the teacher, student, and parent/guardian work together to make this a successful educational experience. Please read and sign below to signify the beginning of this academic endeavor.

I have read and understood the syllabus and classroom procedures and guidelines. I agree to comply with the procedures and guidelines and to meet all expectations.

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Student signature date

I have read and understood the syllabus and classroom procedures and guidelines. I agree to support the student and teacher in trying to meet all expectations for a successful year.

______

Parent/guardian signature date

______

Email address

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Phone numbers (home, work, and/or cell)

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Address