Rabich ELA



American Literature (ELA 11) Syllabus

Instructor: Lauren Rabich Contact at: lrabich@effingham.k12.ga.us

South Effingham High School –Room 102 Phone: (912) 349-3136 before 9pm

Website: laurenrabich.

Course Description

English 11 is a required course that will explore the rich history of American Literature and how each period of American History influenced the writers and poets of that era. Students will think critically about how writers demonstrate important facets of their society and time period through their distinct works. Students will use American Literature to analyze how history has shaped society and continues to impact the decisions that are made today throughout our nation.

Course Objectives: The student will demonstrate mastery of:

• Using knowledge gained by reading challenging texts (fictional and non-fictional) to support claims.

• Identifying figures of speech and rhetorical devices to determine purpose and aesthetic quality of text.

• Writing for a given task, purpose, and audience using correct grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.

• Working collaboratively in groups to further student’s knowledge and ability to work with others.

Materials Needed:

• A notebook (1 ½ inch three ring binder)

• Blue/black ink pens or pencils

• Loose leaf paper (college-ruled)

• Highlighters (multi-colored)

• Tabbed dividers

• Composition Journal

• Ultra-fine (0.5) colored pens for editing

Grading Scale:

Tests, Essays & Projects 45%

Quizzes 25%

Daily Work and class participation 20%

Homework 10%

Participation Grade:

Students will get a daily participation grade of 20 points (weekly total of 100) reflecting their commitment to being a responsible and well-prepared student.

1. Come prepared. 5 points

✓ Be on time.

✓ Have all of your materials.

✓ Dress according to the Student Dress Code.

✓ Have a positive attitude.

2. Have a purpose. 5 points

✓ Be prepared to learn.

✓ Actively participate in classroom activities.

3. Show respect. 10 points

✓ Be courteous to your teachers and peers.

✓ Know and follow the classroom rules.

✓ Clean up your space.

Notebooks/Daybooks:

All students are expected to keep organized notebooks throughout the semester. Both the midterm and final exams are cumulative (they cover everything that we have learned up to that point). You will need your notes and activities to study for these exams. You are old enough to begin learning how to self-regulate and monitor; therefore, I do not dictate how the notebooks should be organized as long as you can prove to me that you have some type of system.

Hall Passes/Leaving Class:

Students cannot learn if they are not in the classroom. Students will need to learn how to manage their time wisely by using time between classes, break, and on the way to/from lunch to use the restroom or get materials from their lockers. Students are required to sign out and sign in when leaving and upon returning to the classroom. Any students with medical conditions which require them to be out of the classroom should complete the appropriate paperwork with the office.

Cell Phone Policy:

Cell phones will remain silent and out of sight in class unless the teacher directs you to use it for class purposes. You will get one warning to silence your phone, then it will go to phone prison until the end of the day when you may plead with Ms. Rabich for leniency. Students may bring ear buds to listen to music during designated work times but must leave one bud out in order to hear any directions given. If music causes undue distractions, this privilege will be revoked.

Food Policy:

Students are allowed to bring small snacks (that do not distract others, so no Big Mac meals please) and bottled drinks (must have a twist cap) to class. This is a privilege and can be revoked on an individual or entire class basis due to misuse (not cleaning up any messes). Students are encouraged to help each other keep the room tidy if they all would like to enjoy this privilege.

Absence/Make-up Policy:

If a student has an excused absence on the due date of an assignment, that assignment is expected during class on the day the student returns. All tests and quizzes must be made up within three days of the date given to the rest of the class. Students will adhere to the SEHS Make-Up Work and Late Work Procedures. An alternate version of the assessment will be given if needed. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what work you missed and make arrangements with the teacher to make it up. The teacher will not chase you down to get make-up work.

Tardy Policy:

Students are expected to be in their seats doing the warm-up activity when the tardy bell rings. Running in the door, chatting with other students, fiddling around the room, etc. may be considered a tardy if this is a consistent issue. Excessive tardies will be dealt with at the discretion of the instructor.

Formatting Papers: Unless otherwise instructed, format papers as indicated.

Use this heading in the upper right hand corner:

Your name/class period

Assignment name/description

Date assignment is/was due

• Use 12-point Times New Roman font (Microsoft Word will automatically start as 11-point Calibri font. Students will have to change the font for each assignment.)

• Use standard 1” margins for all final assignments. (Microsoft Word may automatically start as 1.25” margins.)

• Double-space everything you type. (Microsoft Word may automatically start as single-spaced or 1.15-spaced). Double-spaced essays allow peers and teachers to edit/revise work. Word will also add an extra space between paragraphs. You will need to remove the space between paragraphs.

Class Expectations

 Follow these guidelines to ensure a successful semester:

1. Students should always show respect to classmates, teachers, and any visitors as well as the classroom itself and any furnishings.

2. Cheating will not be tolerated!  It will result in a zero and a possible office referral.  Parents will be notified of all cheating incidents. Students representing others’ work as their own will be turned over to the office under the SEHS plagiarism policy.

3. Students do not need permission to throw things away, sharpen pencils, or stretch their legs unless such actions in excess cause a distraction for the class.

4. Students are to maintain an appropriate level of talking that is not distracting to others. Students who consistently distract from the learning process will be removed from the classroom.

5. Class is concluded when the teacher dismisses the class. If you would like to be released on time, you should be seated quietly in your desk when the bell rings (and encourage others to do so as well).

Behavior Consequences and Rewards

Students who do not following the previously stated classroom expectations will be given the following consequences:

1st offense: Non-verbal Warning (“shhh” gesture, “the look”, etc.)

2nd offense: Verbal Warning (student will be told which expectation is not being met)

3rd offense: Isolation (student will be moved to a different area or completely isolated to minimize distractions)

4th offense: Detention (which includes a written 2 page essay on why it is important to follow classroom expectations)

5th offense: Office Referral

However, students who exceed (not meet, you do not get rewarded for doing what you are supposed to do) the classroom expectations by consistently using manners and going the extra mile will be given individual rewards.

Parent-Teacher Communication

Communication between teachers, parents, and students is one of the most important factors to a successful semester for any student. There are numerous ways to stay updated on what is going on in my classroom. Any student or parent interested in weekly updates of upcoming events can sign up for my reminders. Reminders are sent out every Monday afternoon with a schedule of what the students will be learning and doing that week.



is a website that sends out a message to all cell phones/email addresses that are subscribed to the channel. Teachers will use this website to send out information regarding upcoming tests, quizzes, and other school activity reminders. This is completely optional and not required although many parents do sign up in order to make it easier on themselves to keep up with what is going on in class. has also added a “chat” feature so that subscribers (students/parents) can send me a quick message if they have any questions or need clarification on any assignments.

During the first week of school, students will be given the class code and information that they can use to sign up for class reminders in class. Students should bring home a hand out for parents to sign up for reminders. There are three ways to sign up for reminders: email, text, or QSR code.

Emails

Emails are the most effective way to communicate with me. I check my email sporadically throughout the day even when I am not able to check my phone; therefore, if you need to contact me with any student information or concerns, please feel free to email me at any time. I will try to get back with you within 24 hours at the latest (or 48 hours on the weekend).

Detach and Bring Back to Ms. Rabich!

Note to Guardians: 

In class today, we reviewed this course syllabus and I explained the expectations and goals of the American Literature course at South Effingham High School. Please take time to review this information and become acquainted with the policies and procedures of this course.

 

Please print your name legibly and sign this syllabus in acknowledgment of the student’s responsibilities in Mrs. Rabich’s American Literature classroom. Please return by Friday, September 4th.

 

Guardian Name Printed: ___________________________ Signature: _______________________________

Student Name Printed: ____________________________ Signature:________________________________

 

Best Phone # & Time to Reach You: __________________________________________________________

 E-mail address: __________________________________________________________________________

If you or your student would like to join the system which will email/text class and school information to you, please list all cell phone numbers or email addresses that you would like included in the system below. This system is completely optional, but many students/parent find the reminders to be invaluable throughout the semester.

Name: ____________________________ Phone/Email: __________________________________________

Name: ____________________________ Phone/Email: __________________________________________

Name: ____________________________ Phone/Email: __________________________________________

Name: ____________________________ Phone/Email: __________________________________________

Please include any important information regarding your child’s needs in my classroom in the space below.

Parent Contact Log

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