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English 10-1 Ms. von Buchler 330-7714 x 51068 evonbuch@mccsc.edu "I keep thinking, if I could go someplace and get an education. I wonder what I could become." -A young girl from Calcutta in the documentary Born Into Brothels One of the main things that students should learn in high school is responsibility. There is a serious problem if society trusts you with a driver’s license, yet you can’t remember to bring a pencil or book to class! It is imperative for students to learn time management and develop their own system of organization. While accepting homework late might seem like a nice thing to do, in the long run the student has learned no personal responsibility or discipline. Therefore, Late assignments (unless student was absent) will not be accepted. If an assignment was due at the beginning of class, work turned in after that is considered late. I will be happy to look at the assignment and record that you did it, but will not give points. -Students are expected to bring all required materials to class. This includes paper, pencil/pen, folder, and textbook/novel. Students have two warnings. The third time students come without materials they will receive a referral for "lack of class materials." -There will be writing assignments, reading assignments, journaling, papers, essays, memorization, and projects. You can expect 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. You will not pass this class if you do not do homework! The Rule in this Room: Respect yourself and other people. No insults based on ethnic background, skin color, gender, sexual preference, or religion will be tolerated. We all have the right to our human dignity and self-respect. Attendance: -COME TO CLASS! BE ON TIME! Copying someone else’s notes is nothing like hearing it in person. You have (in most cases) three days to make up what you missed. This is your responsibility. - I cannot remember everyone’s missing assignments and won’t remind you to check on make up work. -If you aren’t sure what you missed, ask right away! -Don’t wait until the end of the grading period to find out what work you missed. It will be too late. -I do not give make up reading quizzes or vocabulary tests. At least one vocab test and one quiz will be dropped each grading period. -If you have missed more than one test or quiz, it is your responsibility to ask about arranging a special make up of the test. -Tests and most quizzes will be announced well in advance. Being absent the day before a test does not excuse you from taking the exam.
Special exception for projects and papers (this exception will be announced ahead of time): -If you have an excused absence, the assignment is due the day you come back. -If you forget your paper or project at home, you may turn it in the next day for 70% credit. Nothing will be accepted after the second day. -Vocabulary definitions are due on Fridays. Definitions are due even if you were absent Thursday or have an IEP requesting extra time. You will receive the list of all vocabulary words during the first week of the trimester. -If you have a special prearranged absence, you must bring me a form from the main office to sign. You also need to see me outside of class to find out what you will miss and what you need to do. This must be done before you leave! Technology Issues: -Technology problems are not my problem. If you have problems with an assignment, figure out an alternative way to turn in the assignment on time. This might mean completing the assignment/project/paper by hand or redoing it altogether. -The library opens at 7:30am and is open until 3:30pm. You will not be allowed to use my computer for any reason. Grading: -I operate class using a small amount of points. For example, vocab definitions are worth 5 points, vocab tests are 15 points, and a paper might be 20-30 points. -Points will accumulate throughout the trimester. I do not start my gradebook "over" for the second six weeks. The trimester grade will be based on your earned percentage of the total points possible plus a final examination, which is worth 15 percent of the total. It is important to keep all papers, handouts, vocab tests, etc. to assist in studying for the final. The final exam is cumulative. Every student takes the final exam. Grading Scale: 90-92%=A- 93-99%=A 100%=A+ 80-82%=B- 83-86%=B 87-89%=B+ 70-72%=C- 73-76%=C 77-79% =C+ 60-62%=D- 63-66%=D 67-69% =D+ 59% and below= F -I do not give big extra credit assignments. Do not depend on extra credit to raise your grade. You need to work hard throughout the grading period. -I will not grade assignments written in any type of fluorescent pen or with red ink. -Students and Parents/Guardians will be able to check their grades online. (Password protected) Online grades will be updated at least every three weeks. If special circumstances arrive, I will send a copy of grades home, but for the most part they should be checked online. Because of schedule changes, grades will probably not be available until the third week. Units of Study: Units in the McDougal Little Literature book covering: Plot, setting, and mood Character development Narrative devices Theme Language of poetry Writing Skills: prewriting techniques, paragraph development, third person writing, parallel structure, integrating quotes, etc. Novel—A Lesson Before Dying Novel—Girl in Hyacinth Blue or The House on Mango Street Memorization—integrated throughout the trimester Vocabulary—Weekly vocab will be assigned. Words will be drawn from the literature as well as from vocabulary building exercises. Tests will occur on Wednesdays. The definitions of the vocabulary words are due the Friday before the test. Grammar and Mechanics—integrated throughout the trimester. Writing—journals, essays, letters, papers, etc. -Please note that our BRAND NEW Literature books cost $80 if lost. The books need to be in excellent condition when returned at the end of the trimester. -If you misplace A Lesson Before Dying, The House on Mango Street, or Girl in Hyacinth Blue you will be asked to replace the book with one you buy on your own or pay the Language Arts department $15. Cheating/Plagiarism: -Students caught cheating on ANY work will receive a ZERO for that assignment and will have no opportunity to make up the work. Sharing homework assignments and tests questions with students who have not yet taken the test are both considered cheating. Parents/Guardians will be notified. -If you turn in something plagiarized, you will receive a zero on the assignment and a referral that will stay with your student file in the main office. You parents/guardians will also be notified.
Miscellaneous Information: -Backpacks are not allowed in the classroom (per BHSS student handbook). Students will be asked to return backpacks to their lockers, even if this results in a tardy. -Students should not bring headphones, iPods, MP3 players, or cell phones to class. iPods should not be visible, even if they are turned off. -If I see a cell phone I will take it and you will have to go to the main office after school to get it back (per BHSS handbook). A referral will also be written. -I do not supply students with paper, pencils, extra books, Kleenex, or other items. Please be responsible and bring what you need to class. -The only food/liquid allowed in class is water. Water bottles may be brought to class, provided only water is inside (not Sprite or flavored water). -Class time is valuable time. Please do not read magazines, put on makeup, or write notes in my room. If we have study time at the end of the period, you are welcome to read a book or magazine of your choice. -Sleeping in my classroom is not acceptable. Students must come to class prepared, awake, and ready to learn. If students cannot do this, they should be in the nurse’s office or at home.
Cheating/Plagiarism: -Students caught cheating on ANY work will receive a ZERO for that assignment and will have no opportunity to make up the work. Sharing homework assignments and tests questions with students who have not yet taken the test are both considered cheating. Parents/Guardians will be notified. -If you turn in something plagiarized, you will receive a zero on the assignment and a referral that will stay with your student file in the main office. You parents/guardians will also be notified. Miscellaneous Information: -Backpacks are not allowed in the classroom (per BHSS student handbook). Students will be asked to return backpacks to their lockers, even if this results in a tardy. -Students should not bring headphones, IPOD’s, MP3 players, or cell phones to class. IPOD’s should not be visible, even if they are turned off. -If I see a cell phone I will take it and you will have to go to the main office after school to get it back (per BHSS handbook). A referral will also be written. -I do not supply students with paper, pencils, extra books, Kleenex, or other items. Please be responsible and bring what you need to class. -The only food/liquid allowed in class is water. Water bottles may be brought to class, provided only water is inside (not Sprite or flavored water). -Class time is valuable time. Please do not read magazines, put on makeup, or write notes in my room. If we have study time at the end of the period, you are welcome to read a book or magazine of your choice. -Sleeping in my classroom is not acceptable. Students must come to class prepared, awake, and ready to learn. If students cannot do this, they should be in the nurse’s office or at home.
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