10TH GRADE ENGLISH HONORS SYLLABUS



10TH GRADE ENGLISH & 10th GRADE ENGLISH HONORS SYLLABUS

TEACHER: Mr. Tim Walker

HOURS: 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM (and by appointment before or after school).

CONTACT INFORMATION: My e-mail address is timothy.walker@. I can also be reached by telephone at 372-3110, extension 94105.

CLASS WEBSITE LINK: mrwalkerenglishclass.

Welcome to Ben Eielson Senior High School. We will be focusing on the fun and exciting study of English! We will need to follow certain guidelines in order to aid skill development, maximize our time, and increase cooperative learning.

PARENTAL CONTACT

I keep the parents of my students informed about upcoming projects and papers via regular

e-mails. Please check to ensure that you have an updated e-mail address on file with the attendance office so that you receive these timely classroom updates. If you are unsure if you have an e-mail address on file for your student, then please contact Mrs. Carol McCormick at 372-3110, extension 92120 to verify your current e-mail address.

I also have a website that students and parents may use to keep abreast of what we’re doing in class. It’ll also contain major assignments! There is a “Contact Me” feature that will connect students to my FNSBSD e-mail address if/when they have questions. They may also use this feature to turn in homework assignments!

COURSE DESCRIPTION

English 10: This course is a continuation of English 9 and uses literature to further develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Students will use reading strategies to expand their personal vocabulary, summarize, infer, compare/contrast main ideas, and use textual facts to support text analysis. Using the writing process and the 6+1 Traits rubric, students will write for a variety of audiences, practice the steps in writing a research paper, and utilize a standard writing handbook. Students will also participate in class discussions, oral presentations, and group projects. This year‐long course fulfills two semesters of the English 10 requirement. The textbooks we will be using are Elements of Literature (Fourth Course), Elements of Writing (Complete Course), and the Holt Handbook (Grammar).

English 10 Honors: This course, a continuation of English 9 Honors, is designed for recommended sophomores who are reading and writing above grade level, capable of in‐depth analysis, and motivated to take this challenging course. Students will use literature and reading strategies to expand vocabulary, summarize, infer, compare/contrast main ideas, and use textual facts to support text analysis. Using the writing process and the 6+1 Traits rubric, students will write for a variety of audiences, produce a research paper, and utilize standard writing resources. Students will also participate in class discussions, oral presentations, and group projects. This year‐long course fulfills two semesters of the English 10 requirement. The textbooks we will be using are Elements of Literature (Fourth Course), Elements of Writing (Complete Course), and the Holt Handbook (Grammar).

**Note: Both are WRITING INTENSIVE courses! Students need access to any MS Word document processing and ADOBE Reader programs. Corel or MS Works are incompatible programs with school computers. However, Rich Text files will work!

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY

I am here to teach you and help you to learn. That means I facilitate learning and help you to develop successful study and learning skills. I will listen, discuss, and evaluate. I will hold you accountable for your actions and performance in my class. I am here to motivate you so you can reach your highest potential.

CLASS STRUCTURE

Class time will be structured around multiple activities. These activities will vary and will include individual and group projects, writing exercises, reading and discussion centered on inquiry, debate, and lecture.

HOMEWORK

It is not my role in life to fill every nook and cranny of your daily schedule with work.  I will only assign homework if it directly contributes to what we're doing in class.  I do not assign "busy" work, but you will be busy when we work on our writing skills.

Homework is a necessary part of learning.  Homework is normally turned in at the beginning of class the day it is due; however, I will not consider homework "late" if I receive it by the end of the school day on the date it is due.  Late work will be accepted, with a 10% reduction in grade per day, until I return the graded assignment to you.  After that point NO LATE WORK for that particular assignment will be accepted.  Exceptions include students who are absent the day the assignment is given or due.  I will follow the FNSBSD policy regarding late work to the letter!

TESTS

Generally, all of my examinations are ESSAY format! However, I may use multiple choice, true/false, matching, or short response formats. Tests where students are allowed to use their textbook or notes will not have test corrections.

MATERIALS

Each day you will need to be prepared for class. This means you will need to have the following materials:

One, 3-ring binder (1 inch). This is for your PORTFOLIO!

One, 3-ring binder (1½ inch to 2 inch) This is your class binder.

notebook paper (either wide or college rule is acceptable)

blue/black pen or pencil

daily planner

dividers for your notebook

thumb drive (memory stick)

The binder will be used for English class ONLY. Believe me, it will be full!

GRADES

Students will be graded on the following scale:

90-100………………… A

80-89………………….. B

70-79…………………... C

60-69…………………... D

50-59………..…………. F

I do not “round up” any grade. The grade you receive is the grade you earn. *Final is cumulative; so, keep all of your paperwork for the entire semester!! Also note that I do not grade lower than 50% on any turned in work or test. The only way to earn a 0% is by NOT turning in an assignment or by plagiarizing work.

PROGRESS REPORTS

This school year, teachers will be using the PowerSchool on-line grading program. Parents and students will be given passwords to access grades and homework assignments by the Attendance secretary. I will update grades every Monday. Please log in to the parent portion of PowerSchool as soon as possible to ensure there is a current e-mail address listed. If there is not, then I cannot reach you with the plethora of e-mails I send out to keep parents abreast of what is going on in class.

HALL PASSES

Students will use their daily planner as their hall pass. Failure to have your daily planner will result in a student not being allowed to leave the classroom.

LEGIBILITY OF SCHOOLWORK

Make sure all work is legible. If I can’t read it I can’t grade it. Hence, it is a zero. Write clearly and concisely. Also, please make sure your full name is on any assignment you turn in to me.

TARDIES

Do not be late. You need to be in your seat and ready to start class when the bell rings. Excessive tardies will result in disciplinary action. A tardy will be issued to any student returning to his/her locker after the bell has rung to get their binder, writing utensil, or textbook. Come to class prepared!

MAKE-UP WORK

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any missed work. If a student misses class it is His or Her responsibility to ask the teacher what was missed during the absence. School District policy states students have as many days as they were absent to make up work. Tests, quizzes, and class work will be made up outside of regular class time. It is the student’s responsibility to make an appointment with the teacher to make up a missed test or quiz. Any assignment (test, quiz, or homework) not made up in the prescribed time will result in a grade of zero. If you have special circumstances and cannot make up tests or quizzes after school please let me know and I will make other arrangements for you. Any homework assignment assigned before your absence is due upon your return to class.

CLASS RULES

Be prompt

• Be in your seat before the bell and be ready to begin

Be prepared

• Have your binder, textbook, and a pen/pencil.

• Make sure your pencil is sharpened before the tardy bell rings.

Be respectful

• When the teacher is talking you are not. I will let you know when it is your turn.

• All students will show respect for each other’s person and property.

• When necessary, politely agree to disagree with differing opinions!

Be ready

• I give “pop” quizzes!

Be bold

• I expect you to tenaciously advocate your opinion and back it up with supporting material. Own the ground you stand upon! Defend it!!

Students’ Rights

Each student that enters my classroom has the right to expect my full attention to the lesson at hand in addition to working in a safe classroom atmosphere that fosters learning. If any student chooses to interfere with my teaching or with another student’s learning, I reserve the right to ask that student to leave my classroom (followed by an appropriate consequence).

FOOD AND DRINK

Students will be allowed to bring healthy snacks to eat during class. However, if students leave a mess in the classroom from their snacks, I reserve the right to ban all snacks! Examples of healthy snacks: carrot sticks, celery sticks, and fresh fruit). If you are unsure whether or not your snack falls within the guidelines, then please ask me. Having healthy snacks in class is a privilege and not a right—so, do not abuse it. Students are also encouraged to bring bottled water into class to drink. Students needing to use the water fountain will be given permission when it does not interfere with class instruction time. Never bring sodas or power/energy drinks into the classroom! Coffee is permitted.

GUESTS IN THE CLASSROOM

Periodically we may have guests in the classroom (i.e. members of the school administration, parents, or substitute teachers). Proper respect will be shown to ALL guests. If I am absent and a substitute teacher is present that day you will follow their instructions. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action and a telephone call to your parents explaining the disciplinary action.

PERSONAL NOTE-WRITING IN CLASS

DO NOT write personal notes in my classroom. If I confiscate any note from a student in my class, then I will issue a detention and turn the note in to the assistant principal.

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism is defined in Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary as “to steal or pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own.” Students who copy another student(s) work as their own will receive a zero on the assignment and be referred to the school administration for discipline action. There will be assignments in class where students will work together and share answers; HOWEVER, each student will do all outside assignments individually.

ELECTRONIC GEAR

Cellular phones, I Pads, and personal laptop computers are allowed in class; HOWEVER, cell phones are not allowed to be in my classroom. If the phone “goes off”, I’ll write the offender up for disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Handbook.

My student, _______________________________________, and I have reviewed the course syllabus for 10th grade English (includes Honors). We are aware of the grading procedure, classroom management and materials requirements for Mr. Walker’s class.

Also, I have ensured that Power School has a current e-mail address so I may receive Mr. Walker’s periodic updates.

______________________________________ _______________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

______________________________________ _______________________

Student Signature Date

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