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Freshman
English
WELCOME TO FRESHMEN
ENGLISH!
Expectations:
1. Maintain a clean, respectful learning environment for all students
2. Be prepared for class with all assignments, materials, and a good
attitude
3. Value time--be in your seats, ready to learn when I begin class and
stay in that frame of mind until I
dismiss class. Keep any meetings you set with me or let me know in advance
not to wait for you.
4. Work is due in a timely fashion. Assignments are due when I collect
them. Quizzes (if you are absent)
must be taken 1st day back in building. Tests within three days.
5. Treat others (including me and all guests) with kindness and respect;
do what you are supposed to do and not what you are not supposed to do.
Live up to the expectations I set for you.
Objectives:
1. Develop good writing skills in a variety of genres.
2. Identify and apply literary devices to aid in critical reading.
3. Review and build on grammar skills.
4. Improve reading comprehension and vocabulary.
5. Increase critical thinking skills.
6. Develop good speaking skills.
Utensils:
1. Glencoe Literature Course 4
2. Grammar workbook 10--Yes, grade 10! You will keep and use Sophomore
year as well.
3. Shades of Simon Gray
4. Pen / pencil, paper, binder with five dividers: short stories unit 1,
Shades of Simon Gray, grammar
Romeo and Juliet, short story unit 2
5. A good attitude--ready and willing to learn
Homework:
1. You will have it; I expect you will do it. I may or may not grade it.
2. Understand that if you do not put your name on your work, I will give
you a zero.
3. I do not accept late work unless you turn in your late pass.
4. If you are absent, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make an appointment
with me before school, after
school, or during SRB.
5. Be prepared for class; doing your homework will aid in this
preparation.
6. Homework is due when I collect it or it is a 0 unless you use the Late
Pass.
7. Homework will be in various forms:
Workbook, worksheets, reading, study guides, essays, projects, and
speeches
Binder:
1. Keep your binder neat and organized.
2. Include all information in binder so that you may use it to study for
tests and final exam.
3. Bring binder to class daily; I may collect it for a grade on any given
day, without notice.
Absences:
1. If you are sick, stay home and get well.
2. If you must be absent and can notify me in advance, I appreciate it;
otherwise see me your first day back.
3. I am available SRB, MWF 7-730AM, and M-F 230-3PM. I am not available
before school on Tues and Thurs. Do not ask me during class what you
missed. See the missed assignment folder.
Grades:
1. Student grades will be based on a point system and the Memorial grading
system.
2. Grades include homework, essays, tests, quizzes, projects, and bonus
(if available).
3. Final exam is 20% of your semester grade.
4. Please keep track of your own grade.
Tests/Quizzes:
1. Tests will be announced; quizzes may or may not. Expect them.
2. Tests--if absent--must be taken within 3 school days of absence or you
will receive a 0.
3. Quizzes must be taken first day back (or at least scheduled that day)
or you will receive a 0.
4. Sophomores will take three standardized tests: ISTEP+
Projects, Papers, and Presentations:
1. We will do several of these throughout the semester.
2. Remember that all work should reflect time, thought, understanding of
material, creativity, and neatness. 3. Papers not typed will not be
accepted; plan for a crisis--computers crash. Be prepared.
A Word on Cheating: We will often do work
together, with partners, or in small groups. Working together to solve a
difficult problem is great; copying someone else’s work because you are
too lazy to do it yourself is cheating. There is a significant difference.
Do not cheat. If caught, you will receive a zero on the assignment, quiz,
or test; in addition, I will give you a double detention and call home.
Just don’t do it.
The Work We Do: We will hit on all aspects of
the language arts: grammar, literature, writing, speaking, and vocabulary.
I like to do projects and group stuff, so we will do a great deal of that
as well. Often you may find that we are doing things that seem odd for an
English class: visual arts, dramatic arts, etc., but TRUST ME. I know what
I am doing. . . usually. I will do my best to make the class enjoyable,
but my primary goal is not FUN. If we have fun while we work, GREAT, but
that is not the reason you are here.
I have a great deal planned for the next 18 or so weeks, so we will need
to stay on task to meet our goals. We will begin with short stories; from
there, we will delve into Shades of Simon Gray. Then we will do Romeo
and Juliet, and finish with additional short stories. We will
incorporate grammar throughout. :) Please know that I reserve the right to
alter the order listed above if I feel it would help us. We will however
address all the works listed.
QUESTIONS: Feel free to ask or express
concern (or praise!) over what we are doing in class. Just remember that
time, place, and tone are important considerations. When necessary, you
may email me at this address: kcarroll@mhs.evansville.net.
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