Welcome to Mrs. Banach's English class!

English 10-1 Syllabus

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10-1 Syllabus

10-1 Vocabulary

10-1 Calendar

Homework

I’m excited to have you in English 10-1!
Course Overview:

This English class is designed to help you improve your communication skills through reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar exercises. We will read a wide variety of literature including, but not limited to, short stories, novels, poetry, essays, and plays. Our emphasis will be on developing critical thinking skills. To succeed in this class - YOU - must be willing to put for the effort. There will be writing assignments, reading assignments, journaling, papers, essays, reports, and projects. You will have homework daily. It is important to be organized and responsible and turn in assignments on time. Although you may work and/or be involved in extra curricular activities your first responsibility needs to be to your schoolwork. I am always available if you need help and I look forward to getting to know you throughout the trimester. Good luck and I hope you have fun!

Here are a few guidelines and other information that are imperative to your success in this class.

Required texts:

• Literature: The Reader’s Choice. Columbus, Ohio: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2002
• Writer’s Choice. Columbus, Ohio: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2002
• “A Lesson before Dying”. Gaines, Ernest J. 1994
• “House on Mango Street”. Cisneros, Sandra 1989

Units of Study:

• Short Stories: Elements of Fiction: plot, characterization, setting, etc.
  
• Writing skills: prewriting techniques, paragraph development
  
• Novels: A Lesson before Dying / Girl in Hyacinth Blue
  
• Nonfiction: Elements of Nonfiction: Narrative nonfiction and Informational nonfiction
  
• Vocabulary: Weekly vocab will be assigned. Words will be drawn from the literature as well as from vocabulary building exercises. Definitions, sentences, and tests will occur weekly.
  
• Grammar and Mechanics: integrated throughout the trimester
  
• Writing: journals, essays, letters, papers, etc.
  
  ***Please note that our Literature books cost $57 if lost. If you lose a novel you will be asked to replace the book with one you buy on your own or pay the Language Arts department $15.***
  
  Supplies needed every day:
  • Loose leaf paper / notebook
  • Pen (blue or black ink ONLY) or pencil
  • Text that we are currently using
  
  
  You must bring your ENGLISH notebook to class every day along with the particular text we are using.
  
  Headings:
  All papers you turn in (unless otherwise directed) should have the following in the upper right-hand corner:
  • Name
  • Period #
  • Date
  • Title of assignment
  
  
  ANY ASSIGNMENT WITHOUT A NAME WILL BE POSTED FOR TWO DAYS. IF IT IS NOT CLAIMED IN THAT TIME, THE ASSIGNMENT WILL THEN BE THROWN AWAY.
  
  Homework:
  Homework will be given on a daily basis with little exception. As long as the entire class works hard throughout the week, homework may not be given for the weekend. Homework must be put in the correct tray in order to receive credit. Student’s work will be handed back to them and they are required to place it in a file folder in the file cabinet. It is the student’s responsibility to routinely check their folder and grades. All grades are online and are updated every two to three weeks. Parents and students can access these grades at any time online and if there are any concerns, please contact me as soon as possible. If students fail to keep their assignments in the classroom folder or throw them away, the teacher is not responsible for fixing any situation where a grade is in question.
  
  Excused Absences:
  If a student misses class for an excused absence (pre-arranged absence, doctor’s appt. etc.) then the student will have 1 school day for each day absent to complete missed assignments without penalty. For example, if a student misses class on Monday, then they will have until Wednesday to turn in the assignment.
  
  Unexcused Absences:
  If a student misses class for an unexcused absence, then the student will not be given credit for any missed assignment. For example, if a student misses class and a test is given on the day of the absence, the student will not be able to make up the test due to an unexcused absence.
  
  Make-Up Work:
  ALL make-up work is the student’s responsibility to obtain, complete and turn in. Make-up vocabulary quizzes need to be taken the following Monday. It is the student’s responsibility to tell me that they need to make up a quiz. Reading quizzes (from novels) may be made up by writing a 2 page (single spaced) summary for every chapter that the reading quiz covered. It is due the day after the student returns to class. All work will be in the make-up folders in the classroom. Students need to schedule any make-up tests (excused absences only) with me the day they return to class. Please ask me if you have questions about the make-up work.
  
  Grading:
  Points will be accumulated through two grading periods and a final exam. The trimester grade will be based on your points for each grading period (worth 42.5% each) plus the final examination, which is worth 15% of the total.
  
  Grading Scale: Follows BHSS grading scale
  
  
  Expectations in my classroom:
  
  1. Respect yourself and others. No insults - PERIOD. Any insults (especially those based on ethnic background, skin color, gender, sexual preference, or religion) will be dealt with swiftly and seriously. We all have the right to our human dignity and self-respect.
     
     
  2. Please sleep at night and not in my class.
     
     
  3. The students are required to be in class when the bell rings. Any attempts to enter the class after the bell results in a tardy or an unexcused absence (See BHSS tardy policy).
     
     
  4. Bringing the correct materials to class every day is vital. Society says that you are responsible enough to operate a vehicle, so you should also be able to remember a pencil and your book. The first time you forget, you will be given a warning and a loaner, if available. The second time you forget, you will receive a warning, no loaner and your parents will be contacted. The third time you forget, you will be given a referral and sent to ISS.
     
     
  5. No book bags in class.If you bring a bag to class, you will need to put it in your locker and receive a tardy for class that day. Three tardies equal a referral.
     
     
  6. No food or drinks in the classroom (with the exception of water).
     
     
  7. No electronic devices in my class (e.g. cell phones, MP3 players, PSPs, etc.). The first time I see/hear it, I will take it away and you can pick it up after school. The second time, it will be turned in to your principal and you will receive a referral. The third time, you may not get it back until there is a parent conference.
     
     
  8. Cheating is unacceptable – this includes, but is not limited to copying, plagiarism, sharing answers, and other forms that are outlined on the plagiarism policy. Students caught cheating on ANY work will receive a ZERO for that assignment and will have no opportunity to make up the work. Parents/Guardians will be notified and the incident will be documented with your principal, counselor, and the English Department.
     
     
  9. You have six minute passing periods, so you have to use that time efficiently. If you have your Panther Planner, you may have three passes for the trimester to use the restroom, two for your locker, and two for the nurse. Once you use your passes, you may not leave the classroom. If you do not have your planner, you may not leave.
     
     
  10. Absolutely no hoods or hats may be worn in class. The first time, you will receive a warning, the second time, your hat or sweatshirt will be given to your principal with a referral. The third time, you will not get the item back until there is a parent conference.
  
  
  Attendance:
  Come to class! Be on time! Coming to class on time is like getting to work on time. If you are late to work too many times, you get fired. Well, we can't fire you, but you will have consequences for being tardy: *** Excessive tardies can lead to expulsion!! ***
  
  • The first 2 tardies are “free” (meaning no punishment).
  • The 3rd tardy – teacher will call your parents/guardians to notify them of the situation.
  • The 4th tardy – will result in a referral to the principal and will most likely result in an OSS (Out of School Suspension).
  • At the end of each trimester, the Tardy Count goes back to zero, and students have the chance to start clean again.
  • Any student trying to enter class 5 minutes or more after the bell will be marked as an unexcused absence.
  
  
  Passes:
  Students are given a Student Handbook at the beginning of the school year. Located at the back of the handbook are 2 pages of hall passes. The student must have their Student Handbook in order to go to the restroom, locker, office, etc. during class time. Only for extreme cases will a student be allowed to leave class without their handbook (i.e. medical emergency). If a student comes late to class without a pass from another teacher, the student will be counted as tardy. If the handbook is lost/stolen, please contact a guidance counselor or a vice-principal to obtain a new one.
  
  Disruptive/Inappropriate Behavior:
  For any questions regarding BHSS disciplinary procedures, please consult the Student Handbook.

  BHSS Student Handbook Link
  

  Each disruptive offense (non-compliance, rudeness, inappropriate behavior/language, fighting, failure to bring required texts/materials to class, etc. ) will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the situation and other determining factors. Consequences will include, but will not be limited to:
  

  • Verbal warning in class
  • Revised seating arrangements
  • Student/teacher conferences
  • Parent guardian contacts
  • ISS (In-School suspension)
  • Saturday school sessions
  • Referrals to school administration
  • OSS (Out of School Suspension)
  • Expulsion

  
  
  
  
  

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  Page created August 2006
  Maintained by Karen Banach
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