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English I

Jackson County Comprehensive High School, 2015-2016

Matt Bolt, Instructor, Room B10 [planning 7th period]

Matt King, Instructor [planning 5th period]

E-mail addresses: mbolt@jackson.k12.ga.us (BEST WAY TO CONTACT)

mboltjc@ (Submitting Assignments)

JCCHS phone: 706-367-5003

Course Description

This course is made up of thematically linked units of study that seek to improve reading, writing, and oral communication skills. In order to prepare students to become better readers, writers, and thinkers, close technical reading of texts and personal responses to texts are emphasized in this course. More specifically, this course focuses on vocabulary expansion, developing a deeper understanding of literary devices, improving grammar, enhancing writing skills, developing critical thinking skills, and becoming lifelong readers and writers. English I is aligned with the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS), which may be accessed at: . A copy of the standards will be provided if requested. Power standards will be posted in the classroom.

Required Materials

o 3-ring binder (at least 1 inch)

o notebook paper (loose leaf)

o no. 2 pencils and blue or black ink pens

o Composition Notebook (MUST HAVE)

Donation Materials:

o Tissues/Hand Sanitizer

o Copy Paper

o Composition Notebooks

o Pens/Pencils/Markers/Glue Sticks

It is each student's responsibility to keep his/her notebook current and organized. It is important that students keep all of the work we do in class throughout the semester. Doing so will prove to be helpful as we progress through the semester, as students prepare for unit assessments, and as students prepare for State Mandated Assessments.

Texts (Flexible)

o Holt Elements of Literature: Fourth Course. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2005.

o Night by Elie Wiesel; The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare; To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee; Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom; Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

o Additional texts may be selected by the teacher and/or student during this semester.

Grading Policy

Scale:

|Reading Literary/Reading Informational (with Speaking and Listening embedded) |20% |

|Writing & Language (with Speaking and Listening embedded) |20% |

|Synthesis (Major Summative Assessments) |40% |

|Georgia Milestones Assessment (State Mandated) |20% |

Grades:

|A (90-100) |Excellent work |

|B (80-89) |Good work |

|C (70-79) |Average work |

|F (69 or below) |Work does not meet standards |

Exams/Projects/Major Essays

During each unit of study, there will be at least one major test, project, or essay, along with multiple other types of formative assessments. Specific assignment requirements and assessment rubrics will be provided for each activity. A student must make arrangements to make up missed tests on the day the student returns to school.

All major assignments are due on the date assigned. Students who are absent on the due date are still responsible for getting their work to the instructor that day. Please pay close attention to the class website for lesson plans and daily activities. (Exceptions to this policy will only be made in extreme cases and at the discretion of the instructor.)

Benchmarks, TSARS, EOC Dates: TBD

Late Work Policy

To allow for timely feedback, it is critical that all assignments are turned in when they are due. Assignments that are turned in late will be subject to the following penalty:

1 day late — 10% point deduction

2 days late — 20% point deduction

3+ days late — 30% point deduction

Make Up Work Procedure

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get make up work for the days you missed. Please check with me before or after class, or before or after school. Make up work is due no later than five (5) school days after it is given to the student. All missing assignments will result in a zero.

Classroom Management

We will adhere to the behavior policies outlined in the student agenda regarding acceptable behavior and dress code along with defined classroom policies.

Classroom Rules

These rules are designed to make sure that no student’s behavior interferes with the learning of others. For violations of these rules, there will be penalties.

• Show up to class on time and prepared.

• Respect you teachers and classmates.

• Keep hands and feet to yourselves at all times.

• Follow directions the FIRST time.

• Stay on task during all work times.

• ZERO TOLERANCE for the use of cell phones in class (texting, social media, etc.). Some special occurrences will allow students to research via SmartPhones.

1. First Offence: Warning

2. Second Offence: Phone is confiscated and given back after class.

3. Third Offence: Phone is confiscated and given back after school.

4. Fourth and Beyond: Phone is confiscated and given to an administrator resulting in a Behavior Referral.

• Students will remain seated and working until the bell rings for class changes/lunch.

• Absolutely NO CHEATING on any assignment. If caught, the student will receive a ZERO for the assignment with no chance of make-up.

JCCHS Academic Honesty Policy

Academic dishonesty is inexcusable conduct, and will not be tolerated. Students at Jackson County High School are expected to submit work for evaluation that has been completed solely by that student, unless group assignments have been so designated. Students are expected to maintain academic integrity at all times. A student who chooses to cheat will receive a zero for the assignment, the teacher will contact the parents, and the student will be referred to the administration. For first time offenders, teachers will work with the student to establish a timeline to make up / retake the assignment; however, the highest grade they will be able to receive will be a 70 (can be up to the teachers discretion). For any subsequent cheating infractions, a zero will be received for the assignment without the option to re-submit and possible behavior referral.

Behavior Plan (Can change due to severity of issue)

1. Verbal Warning

2. Conference After Class

3. Notify Parents/Guardians

4. Conference With Parents/Guardians

5. Behavior Referral

Tardy Policy

It is our firm belief that students should be in class on time, because tardies interrupt the learning of other students who arrived on time. A student is tardy if s/he is not in his/her seat and ready to begin class with all necessary books, notebooks, and homework when the tardy bell rings. Students who are late to class will face the consequences stated in the JCCHS Student Handbook.

Extra Credit Policy

You are expected to complete the work assigned. If you put forth the effort to succeed, your grades will reflect that effort; therefore, we do not offer extra credit work.

Communication

We look forward to an exciting year in English I, which we hope will be the most productive, most enlightening, and most successful ELA class taken thus far in the students’ academic career. We welcome student and parent input at any time. E-mail is probably the quickest way to contact us. For a daily update on the class activities, please visit the classroom website at

Sincerely,

Mr. Bolt

I believe that if we all work together, your child’s success is certain!

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Please Complete and return this signed portion to Mr. Bolt.

I have read the letter and will communicate with Mr. Bolt for any questions or concerns regarding my child.

______________________________ _________________________ ____________________

Student Name (please print) Student Signature Date

______________________________ __________________________ ___________________

Parent/Guardian Name (please print) Parent/Guardian Signature Date

______________________________ _________________________

Parent/Guardian E-mail Address Parent/Guardian Phone Number (home/Cell)

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