Attendance: Regular attendance is a necessity for your educational success and will be followed according the handbook for high school students.

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1 English III/IV 1 HS English: Grade School: San Jon High School School Year: Instructor: Peggy Gates Conference Period: 1:25-2:20 p.m. School Phone: pgates@sanjonschools.com Course Description: In this class students will continue to build on English language arts skills. Students will work on reading, writing, listening, and speaking. These abilities will be developed within the context of different literature media. Attendance: Regular attendance is a necessity for your educational success and will be followed according the handbook for high school students. Make Up Work: Students are allowed a minimum of one day and/or teacher s discretion to make up work for each day that they miss. The student must assume the responsibility of contacting the teacher about the work missed on the first day back to school. Pre-assigned work is not considered as make up work and is due on the designated date (Student Handbook, 10). Textbooks & Resources: State-adopted textbooks are furnished to students through the textbook division of the New Mexico State Department of Education. Textbooks are expected to last six years. Students are held accountable for damage, such as writing, marking, torn pages, and lost books. Students will be assessed for damage to, or loss of, the books assigned to them at full replacement cost (Student Handbook, 9). Books may be checked out from the classroom. This year we will use the following materials: English: Common Threads: Core Readings by Method and Theme Literature: The Bedford Reader Research: The Bedford Researcher ELA Series Reading: Informational Text By: Schyrlet Cameron & Suzanne Myers Common Core Creativity: Language Arts Fun in the Classroom! By Garrett M. Carter Supplemental Materials: Short stories and classroom literature books. Supplies Required: 1 Binder Pencils Black or blue pens Red pen for proofreading 72 sheet spiral notebook Notebook paper Dividers (5) Seating: Students will have assigned seating in my classroom. At times students will be allowed to work in their own selected groups, provided they stay on task. Cell Phones: Cell phones will not be used while in my classroom. If a student is caught using a cell phone in my classroom, the phone will be confiscated and turned into the Dean of Students or the Superintendent. The student will then be disciplined according to the matrix located in the student handbook.

2 English III/IV 2 Classroom Rules: Students are responsible for their actions in my classroom. I have five simple rules by which you must conform: 1. Be in seat with appropriate materials when the bell rings. 2. Follow instructions first time given. 3. Keep hands, feet, & other objects to yourself. 4. No put downs or negative language, for any reason. 5. Keep a non-disruptive environment in which to learn. Public Speaking: Students will engage in public speaking through various components: reading aloud, reading and acting out a play, and a prepared 2-3 minute formal persuasive speech. Journals: Students will maintain a daily journal. o Responses for the journal will be taken from the board each morning and graded bimonthly. o Daily responses should include five (5) or more sentences, starting with a complete topic sentence, by restating the question into a sentence, in order to receive credit. R-A-C-E response should be used. o Journals must be legible in order to receive credit. Vocabulary: A daily word will be written on board. This word should be included on the appropriate Vocabulary Worksheet and maintained in your English notebook. A test will be given over these words at the end of each month. Students can receive five (5) extra credit points on grammar and usage for including these words in essay/research writing. (More than one word may be used in an essay/research assignment, but five (5) points is the maximum extra credit per assignment). Mandatory Classroom Readings May Include (but not be limited to): 1 st 9 Weeks: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne 2 nd 9 Weeks: My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln & Christopher Collier 3 rd 9 Weeks: Macbeth by William Shakespeare 4 th 9 Weeks: All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg Further Reading: That was Then This is Now The Lottery Most Dangerous Game Occurrence at Owl Creek Informational texts based on historical documents, biographies, and current events.

3 English III/IV 3 Student Grades & Privileges: At San Jon School, we believe first and foremost in the quality of academics and achievement. Therefore, all student privileges are directly contingent on student academic performance. Privileges such as electronic devices, off campus lunch, attendance at extracurricular activities, and other student privileges can be limited at our discretion due to poor academic performance. In contrast, we also believe in providing enhanced privileges and rewards for good academic performance. Our goal is for students to do their work, to take care of their responsibilities, and to enjoy their time in school (Student Handbook, 7). Nine Weeks Grade: Nine weeks grades for this class will be derived from the following criteria: Daily Grades 60% Reading 20% Tests 20% Grading Scale: Daily assignments will account for 60% of a student s overall grade. All assignments must be turned in and students will be graded on the scale provided in the student handbook: = A = B = C = D (preferably not a goal you have) 59 & Below = F (not acceptable by me at all just sayin ) Zeroes will not be tolerated: o A student will be given 60% of their late work if it is turned in within ONE WEEK from the original due date. o If it is not turned in within the week, the zero will stay in the gradebook for that assignment. The most important event that takes place at an institution of education is student learning. Therefore, students are not allowed to have missing assignments. Failure to turn in work may result in restriction of privileges, required attendance at lunch study hall, and restriction in the participation of athletic and extra-curricular activities (Student Handbook, 10). Outside of Classroom Required Reading: Students may read any fiction or non-fiction book (anything that has a story line) that they have not previously reported on, or that is not a movie. Books may come from home, library, or my classroom. Students are responsible for replacement costs from loss of books checked out from my room. Students must read 100+ pages in order to get a grade.

4 English III/IV 4 Grading Scale for Outside Reading: Students may read any fiction or non-fiction book (anything that has a story line) that they have not previously reported on, or that is not a movie. Books may come from home, library, or my classroom. Students are responsible for replacement costs from loss of books checked out from my room. 1. Students will be required to read *two (2) books per nine weeks. 2. Outside reading will count as 20% of student overall grade. *Books must be read in their entirety in order to receive credit. Books must be high school level reading levels. (200+ pages or prior approval from teacher for exceptions) Writing: Students will write a variety of essays that will require five (5) or more paragraphs: personal anecdotes/narratives, short stories, arguments, informative/expository, responses to fiction and non-fiction short stories and novels, one 2-3 page MLA research project, and finally a persuasive essay/speech formulated from research paper. All essays will receive two grades: one for content (C) and one for grammar and usage (G & U). One (1) point will be deducted for each error unless otherwise noted. Research projects and speeches will have specific rubrics. Choice Writings: During the course of the school year, students will be required to write 20 choices. These choices will have specific criteria; therefore, look at date and theme for the choices as listed on page six (6) in this syllabus. Poems can be rhyming or free verse. I am looking for quality writing and your grade will be reflected by the depth of your choice. Due dates are attached. If you are absent on a due date, the choice is due upon your return. Choices are worth 25 pts each. Grade is determined by spelling, grammar, and word usage, so get a proofreader and give me good quality. Portfolio: Students will maintain writing and reading portfolios located in the classroom. This folder will not leave the classroom; however, students and parents have access to the folder at any time. This portfolio becomes up to 50% of the semester final in May. Writing Log: All corrected writings will be recorded and stored in this portfolio. Reading Log: All books and page counts will be recorded on a log inside this portfolio once an oral book report is given, and passed, to the teacher. Anthology: At the end of the school year, all writings from the portfolio will be bound together in an anthology. Writings will be divided into the following *categories: Covers: front &back Responses Poetry Technical Essays Creative Writing *Students may choose more categories with approval of the teacher. Research: Students will conduct short research projects to answer a question.

5 English III/IV 5 Students will use the following *MLA research format with the following components: Parenthetical Citations Periods after parenthetical w/in Periods before parenthetical on hanging indent Parenthetical includes correct information Works Cited Page Must be in alphabetical order Resources listed must match parentheticals cited Double Spaced Grammar/Usage/Spelling 1-5 points per error *A student sample of a research paper will be provided to each student. Extra Services: My classroom is open Monday and Wednesday mornings at 7:00 a.m. Students may come in and work on assignments for my class or other classes. I will stay after school, until 5:30 p.m., if students need additional help or need to use a computer for assignments, providing they schedule a time with me in advance not the day they want to stay, because I may have a previous engagement. Friday school may be available for students needing extra help. Student/Teacher Conferences: Each Monday, I will conduct a student/teacher conference in which I will discuss your current GPA. We will discuss goals for the week and/or nine weeks to ensure the grade is where we know it should be. Parent/Teacher Conferences: Parents are invited to attend conferences on the following dates: Sept. 21, 2015 and February 1, 2016 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Conferences will be student led. Why English: English is a skill that you will use you entire life. Whether you enter the business or vocational field, or whether you are self employed, you must develop the appropriate skills to effectively communicate within your field of expertise. High school English prepares you not only for college but also for daily responsibilities that require Standard Edited American English. Academic Integrity: All students are expected to act with respect and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through their personal talents. Academic Dishonesty violates the fundamental ethical principles of San Jon Municipal Schools and compromises the merit of work completed by others. A student should avoid academic dishonesty when preparing work for any class and should not engage in any of the following: cheating or copying, plagiarizing, submitting another person s work as one's own, or using Internet sources without citation. Students caught in an act of academic dishonesty will receive a disciplinary referral to the office and no credit for the assignment. Academic dishonesty may disqualify a student, or require removal of a student, from an integrity-based organization: National Honor Society or Student Council.

6 English III/IV 6 Due Dates: Student Choice Writings During the course of the school year, you will be required to write 20 choices. These choices may be written in essay, poem, or graphic form. You may write on any appropriate-to-high-school subject based on the following criterion. I do not want to read about your boyfriends, girlfriends, or significant others. You may write about your family, friends, events, sports, trips, vacations, etc Poems can be rhyming or free verse. Poems with mandated requirements should include a picture for better understanding of the theme. I am looking for deep, quality writing not simplistic writing; for example, this is simplistic: We have a game tonight, I hope we win; we will. Choice #: Due Date Choice Scheme Aug paragraph personal narrative (true experience you ve had) Sept. 10 Poem based on a favorite singer/songwriter or song Poem Free Choice Oct. 1 Poem Free Choice Poem based on a fall picture (include picture) Poem based on current event (include picture from event) Nov. 6 Point of View Poem based on war images (What does the picture reveal to you?) Poem based on thankfulness Dec. 3 Poem Free Choice Poem based on homelessness in America or a poem written from the POV of a homeless person living on the streets Jan Opinion Essay on a Current Event happening in America Create a full-page collage of your life/personal pictures Poem Free Choice Feb word critique based on a television show you like/dislike Poem eulogizing an author or journalist Mar. 3 March 2 is Read Across America Day Rewrite a Dr. Seuss book into a teenage-themed poem Showcase a historical figure in a poem (include picture) Create a poem about your class (it can be funny but be nice ) Apr Word essay about a goal in you have Poem Goodbye/Hello poem (saying goodbye to something but hello to something as well) LOOK You must have these choices turned in on time: on or before the due date. Since you have received this assignment the first week of school, if you are absent on a due date, the choice is due upon your return. Each choice is worth 25 points. Choices must be typed handwritten will not be accepted for a grade. Please proofread choices: your grade is based on spelling and verbiage. When using pictures with choices, make sure words are not written over the top of the picture.

7 English III/IV 7 Homework Pass: Sometimes things happen and we may not meet a deadline. Here is your chance to save your grade and receive 100% of the earned score on an assignment. Below are two coupons you may use to get your assignment postponed until an agreed upon time between the two of us. Read the rules carefully for the coupons: Cannot be used on research papers, projects, or mandatory reading requirement. English 11/12 P. Gates, Instructor Expires: English 11/12 P. Gates, Instructor Expires:

8 English III/IV 8 Parent Notification of Receipt for English III/IV Syllabus I have read the syllabus and fully understand the requirements for English III/IV course requirements: (Student will receive 5 extra credit points on an assignment of their choice, excluding a test, any time during the school year, for both signatures). Student Parent Comments or Questions: