The Bronx High School of Science

The Bronx High School of Science

English Department Contract/Grading Rubric

Dear Parents:

The teachers of the English Dept wish you a stimulating and successful year! This letter is to inform you about the expectations of the department so that all students can perform to their highest potential.

Classwork

1. All classes will begin promptly when the bell rings.

2. All personal business is to be taken care of before or after class.

3. No passes to attend to other business during English class time will be honored.

4. Possession of personal electronic or telephone devices in class is strictly forbidden.

Classroom Performance and Attendance

The English Department knows how essential regular class attendance is to effective learning. Students who are not present are unable to participate in individual lessons, to benefit from class discussion or to work on oral/written presentations with assigned groups. Students must attend classes punctually & consistently through the year. Please consult your student planner for policies regarding absences on test days—it is in your best interest to contact your teachers before you return to school to coordinate make-up exams.

Important:

1. Absence to go on family trips during school time is in violation of the State Education Law and will not be considered an excused absence.

2. Cutting will be checked daily and reported immediately.

3. All missing work must be made up in a timely fashion.

Grading Policy.

1. Classwork (20%):

15% Homework or in-class written reader responses

Group Work

Notes/Notebooks (including written “Do Now”)

5% Class Participation

Oral participation, cooperation, attendance & punctuality

2. Writing (40%):

Essays (including Grammar & Vocabulary exercises or quizzes)

3. Tests: (30%):

Full period tests/Group Projects

4. Midyear/Final/Regents (10%) This 10% only applies to marking periods 3 & 6.

Review and fill out the bottom portion below before returning it to Ms. Byun. Due: Mon, 9/10.

Keep the top portion in your binder.

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I have read and understand BOTH sides of this handout regarding department and course policies.

______, ______Fall FWS __

(Student’s Last name/first Signature) (Parent’s signature) (Pd) (√ if applic.)

Ms. Byun, Freshman Honors English

“She didn’t want to know how a thing was done, but why.” --Ray Bradbury, ______

Dear Students,

I imagine that some of you right now are nervous, anxious, excited, nauseous, or even bored already. Before I lose your attention, let me thank you for the opportunity to spend what I hope will be a fruitful year with you in English. Literature for the year includes George Orwell’s Animal Farm, J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, a selection of short stories, and poetry. We will focus on literary elements/techniques as well as grammar, vocabulary and emulative writing. While all freshmen will read the same core texts, honors students will read additional texts and should execute more frequent and in-depth assignments and should face higher expectations both from me and hopefully from yourselves. As proactive readers and writers, we will explore the power of language to inform, influence, challenge, and connect both people and ideas. The skills* we will exercise include:

~ Demonstrating command of the conventions of standard English

~ Determining and making use of the central ideas of a primary/secondary source

~ Citing and unraveling textual evidence to both support and generate ideas and arguments

~ Scrutinizing the meaning and weight of words and phrases as they are used in a text

~ Analyzing how a text uses literary elements and techniques to illustrate ideas and emotions

~ Comparing the point of view of two or more authors for how they treat the same/similar topics

~ Generating argumentative thesis statements thatexplore/appreciate the author/author’s intent

~ Crafting and responding to thoughtful and articulate oral/written perspectives

~ Taking the “what” in literature and extrapolating a “why”

Course-specific Policies and Procedures

1. All assignments are due at the beginning of class. You are allowed one late HW assignment.
2. All work due to excused absences must be submitted the day you return (also assume that you will make up an exam that day). If possible, email me before you return to schedule your make-up (i.e. during SGI after school). If you miss work due to an absence, I automatically mark it with a 0 to encourage you to submit the work ASAP. Refer to your student planner for details on the school-wide policy regarding make-up exams.
3. Homework, announcements, and electronic copies of handouts will be posted online. You are responsible for checking the site daily, which can also be accessed via the school website (through the English department or Faculty section):
4. Please obtain contact info from at least two (2) students in the class so you can confirm assignments.

I can be reached at or at school: (718) 817-7700.

5. Expect Jupitergrades updates every other week

HONOR CODE

You do yourself and the school community an injustice when you forge, cheat, assist others in their efforts to “take shortcuts”, or submit work that fails to accurately represent your talents, skills, and potential. I will follow school procedures regarding any honor code infractions so please review your student handbook or ask me for any clarification beforehand to avoid any misunderstanding.

*Adapted from the Common Core State Standards Initiative

Sincerely,

Ms. Byun