Instructor



English Language Arts 2019 – 2020 (WHS)left90001446530InstructorJohn A SmithPhone210 662 5000Emailjsmith@Class Meeting TimesM, T, W, Th, Fri Office LocationKaren Wagner Early College High School, B234Tutoring HoursMondays and Wednesdays 4:20 – 4:45Or by appointment00InstructorJohn A SmithPhone210 662 5000Emailjsmith@Class Meeting TimesM, T, W, Th, Fri Office LocationKaren Wagner Early College High School, B234Tutoring HoursMondays and Wednesdays 4:20 – 4:45Or by appointmentCourse OverviewLanguage and literature are two human inventions that over time have allowed us to comprehend, communicate, and create the human experience. Literature and language help us figure out who we are, the meanings of our lives, the world we live in, and our special place in it.The basic goal of this class is to help the student understand the importance and relevance of language and literature in their own life and effectively make use of our common language. In this course, students will have endless opportunities to explore, experience, and envision themselves as a reader, writer, thinker, speaker, and learner. Our hands on approach will expose students to a lot of reading and a lot of writing. You will also experience sensible grammar instruction and experiment first-hand the writing process and the many writing genres that you will read and create on your own. In short, I have designed this class to encourage you, the student, to create your own literature in a realistic, effective, and meaningful way. It is my hope that this class design will help you learn about the English language and its literature to figure out the complicated person you are, the direction of your life, the world you live in, and your unique place in it. The most essential skill for today’s world is the ability to read, analyze, and comprehend difficult text. These reading strategies will be used to help students in this Ninth grade English class. It is my hope that you will not only learn something about the content, but they will also learn more about yourself. I look forward to working with you and to a fascinating, fun-filled year.Required TextLiterature Language and Literacy, Penguin Edition Publisher: Prentice HallISBN: 978-0133195552(School Provided)Additional Classroom MaterialsMy Master Journal, class content, questions, handouts for the classroom binder, and assignments will be posted online in Google Classroom as well. Should you be absent or have an emergency; you will not miss a thing. GOOGLE CLASSROOM CODE: muxt5wd – block 1ttf40y- block 5OutcomesBy the end of the course, the student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of:Fundamental types, purposes, and relevance various literature genres Literature in historic, economic, political, and cultural realms.Evolving literature and media relevant issues and trends.Sensible grammar EvaluationGrades will be averaged and weighted as follows:60% - Daily Work/ Quizzes Students will be reading and writing on a weekly basis. Assignments will generally be turned in at the end of the period unless designated otherwise. It should also be noted that not all of the work I take for a grade will be announced ahead of time. This means that students’ journals are subject to be graded at random to ensure that all students are participating all of the time. Work will be turned in, graded, and redistributed in a timely fashion. 40% - Weekly Tests / ProjectsStudents will not only be assessed to monitor progress and understanding of the content, but will also be assigned individual projects that may involve genuine creation or research. These projects may require work OUTSIDE of the classroom.Course PoliciesTARDY: You are considered late or tardy if you arrive any time after class has begun WITHOUT a pass. Tardiness will be excused only for medical reasons, emergencies, or notice from other staff. ABSENCES: Students are expected to make up the work after their absences. For absences, students need to request the notes missed from the teacher, or in some cases, it can be other students. The student will have one day for every absence to make up their assigned work. MAKE UP WORK: Students shall receive a zero for any assignment or test not made up within the allotted time, unless prior approval is given by the principal or designee. Students will be given one day to make up work for each day they are absent (excused or unexcused), with exceptions made due to severe or prolonged illness. Students will not receive a grade penalty for makeup work from an absence due to suspension. Students will not receive credit for makeup work when the absence is due to truancy, instead, students will receive an “M” “missing” for the assignment.LATE WORK: Late work is defined as any assignment that is not submitted on its due date, with the exception of make-up work for absences or approved school activities. Teachers are to enter an “M” into the electronic gradebook for any assignment a student does not turn in on time. Teachers may give up to a 10% deduction for any assignment turned in late.DISCIPLINEFor every place we go in life, there are rules and regulations to set in order to keep everyone safe and comfortable. The same applies for my English Class. It is my intention that my classroom remains a danger free zone and a place where students feel safe, secure, and most of all, free to be themselves. The rules in my class are as follows: -I will be prepared by bringing all the materials needed for class-I will be respectful to myself, my peers, and the adults that I interact with.-I will be responsible for my actions -I will be an active listener-I will actively participate in class discussions and group workAll electronic devices must be in mute position during class time and not visible unless instructed otherwise by the instructor. Laptops or tablets are authorized for notetaking purposes only or possible use during assigned class activities. Cellular devices may be collected and held by the instructor until class is over if the policy is not followed. STUDENT-PARENT ACCOUNTABILITY CONTRACTParents and Students: Please sign and date the following document and return it to me by Friday, August 24, 2018. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.Student: I have read the Syllabus/Class Information. I fully understand and accept my responsibilities as a student of Ms. Walkes’ English Language Arts Class and Karen Wagner High School.Name (Print) _________________________________ Date___________Signature ____________________________________Parent: I have read the Syllabus/Class Information. I fully understand and accept my responsibilities as a parent and know my child’s responsibilities. I also understand that as a parent/guardian, my involvement and support of my child’s education is an essential for his/her success. Name (Print) _________________________________ Date___________Signature ____________________________________Parent/Guardian Contact Information #1:Name _______________________________________________Address______________________________________________Phone Number ( ) - ______ - ______Email ___________________________________Parent/Guardian Contact Information #2:Name _______________________________________________Address______________________________________________Phone Number ( ) - ______ - ______Email ____________________________________________ ................
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