English I Pre-AP--- Mrs. Florence-Martinez
Email:
Phone: 841-1615
AHS Rm 347
Welcome to Pre-AP English 1!! I am excited about the opportunity to learn with this group of vibrant students.
This year, you will:
• Read, discuss, and interpret a multitude of literature and a variety of genres
• Collect, learn, and use elevated vocabulary
• Write clearly and concisely for a range of audiences and purposes
• Practice both self and peer evaluation
• Build and enhance strategies for EOC/STAAR and AP tests
• Analyze various media, including film, music, journalism, and art
• Make connections between personal experiences, the world we live in, and the course work
Materials Needed:
1. Paper, pens, pencils*
2. One three-ring binder*
3. Composition book(s)*
4. Daily agenda*
5. Chrome Book or other electronic device* [should be charged and ready to use each class]
6. Two highlighters (one yellow, one pink)
7. Sticky notes (around 73mm x 73mm)
Optional Materials/Classroom Donations:
One package of Xerox paper (colored paper preferable)
One box of tissues (or more!)
* Denotes you will need these every day of class
NOTE: DO NOT throw anything away unless instructed to do so!
The core texts we will be reading this year are:
1st Six Weeks………………………………………. Short Stories/Nonfiction/Poetry/Selections from The Odyssey
2nd Six Weeks……………………………………….Expository Writing/The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
3rd Six Weeks……………………………………….The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald/Poetry
4th Six Weeks……………………………………….Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
5th Six Weeks………………………………………. In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
6th Six Weeks……………………………………….Student-selected novel/World Literature
In the Time of the Butterflies, The Great Gatsby, and Romeo and Juliet may be purchased through the Anderson PTSA.
Students must obtain a copy of their multi-cultural novel on their own. A list of World Literature selections will be provided during the 5th six weeks. All books for the World Literature unit must be approved by a parent and the teacher.Copies of the short stories and nonfiction selections will be provided for students.
Important:All copies of purchased texts MUST be clean copies that are free of substantial marking.
English 1 Pre-AP on BLEND:myaustinisd.orgBLENDENG 1 PRE-AP 009
Students will be expected to check BLEND regularly for assignments, due dates, handouts, and other important announcements. If students are absent from class, it is their responsibility to check BLEND for missing work before returning to class. Students will also submit their written assignments and compositions through BLEND.
Grading Policy
Grades are broken up into the following percentages:
Major Compositions/Projects/Tests40%
Quizzes25%
Daily Grades 25%
Journals (composition book) 10%
Assigned homework is to be finished before entering class on the day it is due. If a student finishes homework in class, it will be considered late.
All major assignments will be submitted on BLEND/turnitin.com (details to follow later).
Late Work:Per Anderson English Department policy, major compositions and projects that are turned in late will be penalized 10 points per school day they are late. After three school days, the major composition or project will earn a grade no higher than a 50.
Daily grades: 100 (on time and complete), 70 (complete but late), 50 (half or more done, but incomplete), or 0 (not done). Late daily work MUST be turned in before the last week of the six weeks.
Tardy policy: Students who are late (unexcused) will not have extra time to complete warm-ups, quizzes or any other assignment. If a student is late two times in one six-week period, they will receive a phone call home. If they are late a fifth time, they will receive an office referral.
Cheating and plagiarism: You will receive a 0 and/or a disciplinary referral. This is in line with Anderson’s ZERO TOLERANCE policy for cheating.
Violation of rules: Violation of class expectations and school rules will result in any of the following: verbal warning, seating change, independent seat work, confiscation of prohibited object (see school rules), phone call home, office referral, lunch detention, Saturday school, hall monitor escort to office.
To avoid such discipline, always be PROMPT, PREPARED, and POLITE. Communicate your concerns and problems, and I will help you be successful.
Extra Help:
I am available for tutoring during FIT sessions and Tuesday/Thursday from 8:15-8:45 am. I am available at other times by appointment. Please do not hesitate to email or visit me during tutoring hours for extra help.
Make-up Work
In case of absence(s), please check my homework website for missing assignments and handouts before you return to class. It is the student’s responsibility to acquire the assignment and turn it in on the adjusted due date (one extra day for each day absent).
Class Expectations:
Be prompt, be prepared, and be polite.
It is important that students understand that Pre-AP English is a choice. With that choice comes the clear expectation that the student is prepared to focus, work diligently, and meet all class responsibilities.
Parents: I truly look forward to working with you this year, and I encourage you to seek my assistance if needed. If you would like to discuss your son or daughter in person, please make an appointment with me. I prefer to be contacted by email with any school-related questions.
Thank you for your cooperation!!
-Rachel Florence-Martinez
Keep this syllabus and Honor Code handout for your records and return the signature portion to Mrs. Florence-Martinez, Room 347.
Return the bottom portion of this page to Mrs. Florence-Martinez in Room 347 on Day 2
All Honest and Original Work
Honor Code for English I Pre-AP
We will insist on completely honest and original work in this class. Therefore, each student will be required to produce work free from plagiarism or cheating as described below:
Plagiarism:
a.Submitting a paper, examination, or other assignment as one’s own when it was written or created by another.
b.Verbatim copying of portions of another’s writing without proper notation and acknowledgment of the source in an accepted scholarly format.
c.Paraphrasing or restating someone else’s ideas without proper acknowledgment of such text.
d.Falsely citing a source or attributing work to a source from which the referenced material was not obtained.
e.Fabricating or altering data.
f. Taking another student’s ideas or sentences and manipulating the syntax.
Cheating:
a.Giving/receiving/using unauthorized aid (from printed/online sources or individuals) on in-class or take home examinations.
b.Giving/receiving/using unauthorized aid (from printed/online sources or individuals) on class work, in the preparation of reports, or in any other work that is to be used by the teacher as the basis of grading. If approved by the teacher, group study/peer collaboration may be acceptable.
Penalties for incidences of plagiarism or cheating will include:
1.A grade of zero for the assignment, which is in accordance with Anderson English Department policy.
2.Parent(s) or guardian(s) will be contacted.
3.Proper disciplinary procedures as established by the Anderson High School Handbook will be followed.
This year, the English I Pre-AP classes will use BLEND/ This feature is designed to prevent plagiarism. Students will be asked to submit their papers to BLEND by an assigned date. If a paper is not submitted to BLEND, it will not be graded.
Cut here:
------
I have read the All Honest and Original Work Honor Code and agree to abide by its requirements.
Name ______(printed)
Student Signature ______Date ______
Parent Signature ______Date ______
I have read the syllabus/course policies and understand what is expected of me in Mrs. Florence-Martinez’s class. I have shared this information with my parent/guardian.
______Student Signature ______Parent/Guardian Signature
Return to Mrs. Florence-Martinez, Room 347