Course Expectations
English IFr. David A. Sauter, S.J.
2017-2018e-mail:
Welcome to GeorgetownPreparatory School and English 1!
Objectives: The course introduces the student to composition and literary genres. He studies the parts of speech, the parts of the sentence, and punctuation in detail. His worksheets and writing assignments will emphasize the proper use of the English language and good composition. He will also studyvocabulary, the basic components of literature, and the genres of the short story, the novel, and the play.
Required Books:
Montana 1948 by Larry Watson
Mythology by Edith Hamilton
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
Wordly Wise 3000, Book 9
An English only binder for class materials
Content: The subject matter of each quarter includes the following:
1st Quarter:parts of speech, short stories; vocabulary
2nd Quarter:parts of the sentence, short stories,Montana 1948, vocabulary
3rd Quarter:clauses/punctuation, mythology; vocabulary
4th Quarter:verbal phrases, Oedipus Rexby Sophocles, The Tragedy of Julius Caesarby William Shakespeare; vocabulary
There are two-three tests and at least twowriting assignments each quarter. Students should expect daily quizzes on the previous night's homework
Vocabulary Format: The student studies one vocabulary lesson of fifteen words each five days of class. For three consecutive evenings five of the words are assigned with a written or oral quiz on those assigned words the following day; correct spelling and the exact meaning as given in the text are required. There is a cumulative written quiz completing the study of each lesson.
Papers and Projects: All formal writing assignments must be typed, double-spaced, in 12 point, Times New Roman font with the student’s name on the top, left side of the page, last name first, and the date of the assignment beneath the name. The students submit papers through “dropbox” and turnitin.com.
Assignments submitted after the assigned day and time lose 5 points for each day late (including Saturday and Sunday). A paper due Friday but submitted on Sunday loses 10 points from the grade. Chronic lateness will result in higher point deduction. A paper with three (3) grammatical mistakes receives a grade no higher than 89%.
Grades:
Tests and writing assignments are 80% of the total grade
Quizzes are 20%
Homework:Each week, the student receives a “homework” sheet specifying the homework for that week. The student can find a copy on Finalsite as well. The student should check Finalsite each evening after 6:00 PM for any changes or other pertinent information. If classes are cancelled (e.g., snow), assignments will be posted on Finalsite.
Class Rules: The student is to come on time for class with all of the proper materials (books, paper, pens/pencils) for the class and should prepare books and notebooks when he enters the classroom.
Cell phones must be off and put away before the student enters the classroom. Computers, tablets, and the like, may not be used in class without special permission.
Proper decorum, mutual respect, and courtesy define the attitude expected in the classroom. The dress code must be followed, including, when required as part of the dress code, the wearing of the blazer. Except in the case of an emergency, a student may not leave the room once class has begun. Personal needs should be taken care of before class begins. Students may leave the class only when dismissed and should not prepare to leave before that time.
In the event of a student’s absence, I appreciate an e-mail explaining the absence. For a one day absence the student should take on the day he returns any quizzes he missed. For a longer absence it is imperative that he speak with me the day he returnsto arrange to make up any test or quiz he missed. Ordinarily he must take a missed test or quiz (for prolonged absence) within five days of returning to class. For an anticipated excused absence (e.g., early dismissal for sports, a doctor’s appointment), the student must see me in advance of the absence. If this absence occurs on the test day, I prefer that the student take the test in advance of the absence. Failure to speak with me in advance of the absence will result in a low grade.
Georgetown Preparatory School expects the student to act with integrity. In the interest of clarity and understanding, any circumstance in which a student represents another individual’s work as his own is considered cheating. See the student handbook for further information. This is very important with regard to the student’s written assignments.
Students can find me every school day, especially after school between 2:45 and 4:30, in my office in the Modern Language Faculty Office on the first floor of the LearningCenter. They may also e-mail me at when/if they have questions. I check my mail often during the day and will respond ASAP. I do not check after 7:30 PM however.
“Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to dieeven the undertaker will be sorry.” From Pudd’nhead Wilson by MarkTwain
I have read and understood the policies of Fr. Sauter’s Freshman English Class 2017-2018.
Student’s Signature______
Print Student’s Name______
Parent’s Signature ______
Print Parent’s Name ______
Date______
Please return by Wednesday, 6 September 2017