To succeed in this class, you must be willing to put forth the effort. There will be writing assignments, reading assignments, journaling, essays, exams and projects. As explained in the management plan, you will have daily homework assignments.

Units of study:

1)Short stories (2-3 weeks)

Assessment: writing and exam

2)Novel: To Kill a Mockingbird(about 3 ½ weeks)

Assessment: Reading exam, Novel News project, homework, Boo Radley journal, in class writing assignments

3) Epic: The Odyssey (about 3 ½ weeks)

Assessment: Projects, homework, essays, research and in class work

5)Grammar and Mechanics (integrated throughout the semester)

6)Vocabulary (weekly)

Quiz every Friday

7)Spelling (weekly)

Quiz every Friday

8)Notebook Development (ongoing)

Please refer to management plan for details on developing your English notebook. Emphasis will be placed on organization, class notes and journal assignments.

9)Writing (ongoing)

We will focus on the following genres: personal narrative, descriptive and persuasive. We will have weekly "low stakes" writing assignments that will be graded simply for completions. Assessment: three major papers throughout the term

Please refer to my course policy statement for information about grading scale. Course grades are based on an accumulation of points throughout the term. In addition, you will take a final examination which is worth 10 % of the total grade.

Two principles guide all the policies and expectations in my classroom: respect and preparation. We will work together to create a culture in our classroom where teachers and students alike treat one another with civility. It is imperative to teaching and learning that each of us feels safe, not just physically but emotionally and intellectually. Respectful attitudes and behavior assure that our classroom becomes a place where we can find safety and therefore flourish academically. I urge you to use the "golden rule" in making decisions about your behavior in our class. Consider before you act or speak the consequences of your behavior on others.

The second principle, preparation, is equally vital to our success. We must all come to class prepared to learn and maximize our time together – every day. This means you bring the appropriate materials to class. Some days that means your text book, other days that means you bring the novel we are reading. Depending on the unit we are studying, I will advise you of the materials you need to bring. Preparation also includes the things you do outside of class to assure you are ready to take full advantage of class time. I am committed to coming to class prepared, and I expect the same of you.

This class will be hard work for all of us, but it is only through this kind of work that we really learn. Expect homework nearly every night through the week. However, if the class keeps up with the homework and comes to class prepared, I will work to avoid weekend assignments. Projects and papers are deducted one letter grade for each day late (this includes holidays and weekends). It is imperative you turn work in on time.

I will adhere to the policy outlined in the Panther Planner regarding absences and make-up homework. Please review the policy and be sure you understand it. Essentially the policy says that planned, excused absences require that you notify me ahead of time and work out a plan to complete the work. For unplanned, excused absences you must see me to work out a plan for completing the homework or in-class assignments. In the case of unexcused absences, you will not receive credit for missed work. It is your responsibility to schedule make-up tests or quizzes with me. I will not track you down for make-ups. Make-up exams will usually be administered during SRT, lunch or before or after school, not during class.

You are to be in your seat and working on the "bell ringer" assignment when the bell rings. Should you fail to adhere to this policy you will be considered tardy. The only exception to this is if you have a pass excusing your tardy. After the third tardy to class, I will call home. On the fourth tardy you will be assigned to Thursday/Saturday school. If you are more than 5 minutes late for class and do not have a pass, you are considered truant and will receive a referral.

Grading Scale

We will use the school’s recommended scale:

I will be communicating with your parent or guardian. Progress reports will be posted to the web and will be updated every three weeks. I will also communicate via postcard, email and phone with parents to advise them of your progress in this class.

Please have the following items by Monday and bring them with you everyday to class!

1)English notebook: I will collect these from time to time so your English notebook should be devoted strictly to this class.

-must include a section for notes

-must have some kind of binder that allows you to add in handouts

-should have a divided section for you to journal

2)Writing instrument

3)Textbook or the book we are reading

4)Other materials as assigned

Passes out of class are rarely granted three times & only through use of the Panther Planner. If you need to go to the restroom, I will sign the pass in the back of your planner.

We will have various procedures designed to make the best use of our time together – which means we are working "bell-to-bell". For example, I will expect you to be in your seats and working on the "bell ringer" assignment at the time the bell rings. In the first few weeks we will spend a bit of time learning the classroom procedures. Once a procedure has been established, you are expected to adhere to it. I will never establish rules for the sake of having rules, rather I have created procedures designed to keep our classroom organized, safe and running smoothly.

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Relationship to student_________________________________________________________

Readings: "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Thank you M’am," and others to be announced. Readings, discussion and directed notes (25 points)

Readings: "The Sound of Thunder," "The Most Dangerous Game," "The Daughter of Invention," "Gift of the Magi," "Seabiscuit," "Four Good Legs Between Us," "On Writing"

Writing: Personal narrative (100 points) & essay on "time travel"(25 points), synthesis essay (25 points)

Speaking & Listening: Informal personal speech (25 points)

Readings: "Pancakes," "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," "The Necklace," "Spending Spree," "Rosa Parks/Rosa," "A Different Kind of Competition"

Writing: Comparison-Contrast essay (150 points), mini essay about "The Necklace" and spending (25 points),

Readings: "A Christmas Memory," "Through the Tunnel," "The Cask of Amontilliado," "The Story Behind ‘The Cask of Amontilliado’" "Wilderness Letter"

Writing: Using primary sources for support (prompt. P. 377) (25 points)

Readings: "Marigolds," "The Scarlet Ibis," "Poem on Returning to Dwell in the Country," "My Heart Leaps Up," "The Sun," "Rice Bowl Blues" and To Kill a Mockingbird and selections from The Joy Luck Club

Writing: Literary Analysis (see prompt on page 490) (200 points), Short essay about theme (25 points)

Summer Reading Test…………………………………..100 points

Personal narrative………………………………………..100 points

Comparison and contrast essay……………………… .150 points

Literary analysis essay…………………………………..200 points

Unit 1 exam……………………………………………….100 points

Unit 2 exam………………………………………………..150 points

Unit 3 exam………………………………………………..100 points

Unit 4 exam………………………………………………...200 points

Final exam…………………………………………………200 points

Shorter essays (5-6 each worth 25 points)………………125 points

Short informal speech………………………………………25 points

Homework questions……………………………………….200 points

Vocabulary & selection quizzes (8 at 20 points each)….160 points

Binder checks (2 per term at 50 points each)……………100 points

Common Assessment: One of the ways the language arts department assesses student progress and learning is to administer departmental exams. These common assessments are given to all students in every section of the course. This is a form of "quality control" that helps teachers and administrators assure all our students are mastering the material. However, because these are department-wide exams, copies can not be released out of classrooms. Students will be given an opportunity to see their test results and record information about the specific skills or content they still need to learn based on the results of the exam. Parents are always welcome to come to school to see their child’s exam or to get information about their child’s performance on any assessment. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have questions about exams.

Homework/Late Work Policy: I will not accept homework assignments late; they are due at the start of class. Major assignments such as papers and presentations can be turned in late for a deduction of 50%. After one week the assignment will be given a zero and can not be turned in.

So your dog ate your homework? One time per term you may submit this coupon in lieu of your assignment. This may NOT be used with papers or major assignments – only with 10-15 point homework assignments. Simply turn this slip in to have the assignment excused.

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Your Name_____________________________________________

Assignment ____________________________________________

Date__________________________________________________

Mrs. Wintin

Do not copy. Only one excused slip per term!!!

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Relationship to student_________________________________________________________

Journalism 1 is part of a sequence of two classes which prepare students to apply for staff positions on South’s newspaper, The Optimist, and its yearbook, The Gothic. In Journalism 1 we cover the history of journalism, news ethics, the First Amendment, basic new stories, and copy editing.

In Journalism 1 we will use the following books and materials:

Tim Harrower Inside Reporting

The Herald-Times Clips from NPR broadcasts

The Washington Post Clips from news broadcasts

Newsweek Other magazines and newspapers as needed

Chicago Tribune Your journalism notebook

The New York Times

The Optimist

Other high school newspapers

Goals: Students will become familiar with historical figures in journalism. Students will understand how journalism developed in the United States and how it has changed over the centuries.

Reading: Chapter 1, Harrower

Length: 1-1 ½ weeks

Project: History presentation to the class

Assessment: Unit test

Goals: Students will be able to recognize how ideas are communicated. Students will understand why mass communication is important in American society. Students will be able to recognize the different kinds of media and the ways in which they serve their readers.

Readings: Harrower chapter 2, handouts

Length: 1 ½ - 2 weeks

Assessment: Unit test, analysis in class of media

Goals: Students will be able to understand and apply the basics of journalistic writing. Students will understand the inverted pyramid style of writing and be able to write stories in that style. They will understand how to prepare for and conduct interviews, conventional patterns of organization, and use AP style rules.

Readings: Harrower chapter 3 & 4, handouts

Length: 3 weeks

Assessment: 2-3 stories, including a timed deadline story; AP Style quiz

Goals: Students will recognize the types of feature writing and the characteristics of features. They will use creative leads, include quotations and proper attribution as well as narrate events accurately and descriptively.

Readings: Harrower chapter 6 (part 1)

Length: 3 weeks

Assessment: a story for Gothic

Goals: Students will be able to understand the meaning of and the limitations on the freedom of the press. Students will understand basic concepts of press law. Students will examine ethical situations pertaining to journalists.

Readings: Harrower chapter 7

Length: 2 weeks

Assessment: Unit test, presentations about important cases, debate over cases

*No locker visits during class. Plan ahead. Bring notes, your book, etc. with you.

*The phone in the room is for my use and for emergencies. It is NOT for calling home to say you will be late, have forgotten your biology project, etc. You will be able to use the phone for interviews for stories.

*No food or drinks

*No cell phones out in class. The first time I see your phone out, it’s a warning. After that, I take it to the office where you can retrieve it at the end of the day.

*No backpacks in the classroom. This is school policy.

*Be on time to class. If you are consistently tardy, I will contact your parents and your principal.

*People fail Journalism 1 because they put off their work. If you are having trouble with your story, see me. I can help! Don’t put off the work because you are confused about where to find sources and information.

Consequences for violating rules could include a warning, a conference in the hallway, a seat change, a phone call to your parents, and/or a referral to your principal.

. Meet their deadlines

. Are accurate. How would you feel if your name was misspelled in the newspaper?

. Are curious. Look around. Ask questions.

. Are thorough. You can never ask too many questions.

. Always turn in their own work.

Journalists are expected to produce accurate, readable work in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, this leads some unscrupulous reporters to fabricate sources or borrow material from newspapers or web sites. This is plagiarism and it is unethical. Remember: Any paper with your name on it claims you are the author. Sources should be real people; quotes should be accurate. If you commit plagiarism, you will be given a 0 for the assignment and a referral. If you have a question about whether you are using sources correctly in your writing, please see me BEFORE you turn in your paper.

-Each unit will have a unit test at the end

-Weekly news quizzes – every Thursday. I will drop your lowest score. There is no way to make up a news quiz. Missed quizzes result in a zero.

-Journalism/Reporter’s notebook. I will occasionally check you notebooks and sometimes collect entries

-Stories – 1 or 2 news stories, an interview story, lead writing, history of journalism report

-Reading quizzes

-Other work as assigned

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