1 Welcome to English I Mrs. Drake Room #400Classroom website
2 Course Description This course will emphasize the study of literature as well as the daily study of grammar usage and the writing process. Daily journal writing is a requirement for this course. First semester, students will study excerpts from Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, Romeo and Juliet, and non-fiction literature. Second semester, students will study select short stories and at least one novel. One full-length, non-fiction work chosen by the student and approved by the teacher must be read outside of class first semester and one full-length fiction work chosen by the student and approved by the teacher must be read outside of class second semester. (Non-American authors or subjects preferred) A minimum of two five-paragraph essays must be formally evaluated each semester. First semester the focus will be on compare/contrast and cause/effect writing, while second semester the focus shall be on persuasive writing. One essay must include a research component. Weekly timed, reading comprehension practice and the study of vocabulary root words are also required for this course.
3 Textbooks Elements of Language 3rd CourseHolt, Rinehart, & Winston Elements of Literature 3rd Course Holt, Rinehart, & Winston
4 Novels Dandelion Wine By Ray Bradbury A Separate Peace By John Knowles
5 Classroom Rules High expectations are a must!Good attendance is essential to success. Abide by the “golden rule.” Come to class on time. Avoid disruptions. Be prepared for class. Do not ask to leave the classroom except for emergencies (you must have your planner). Late work will not be accepted except under rare circumstances. Deal with make-up work immediately. No food or drink is allowed in the classroom. No cell phones or ipods are permitted to be in use during class without permission. Respect school property especially classroom equipment. Wait for the teacher to dismiss the class and not the bell.
6 Consequences A verbal warning is given when a classroom rule has been violated. This does not include tardy violations, insubordination, misbehavior for a sub, inappropriate use of classroom equipment, or gross misconduct. Insubordination, misbehavior for a sub, and inappropriate use of classroom equipment will result in, at minimum, an automatic detention. A tardy violation receives an automatic 3 points. If the warning is not heeded, 3 pts. are assigned for each subsequent infraction. When the student has accumulated 9 classroom points, a point letter is sent home to parents. The next subsequent infraction after the letter will be an assigned detention. If the behavior continues beyond the detention, subsequent points are assigned. If in the event that the student reaches 20 points, a conference with the parent/guardian is held to determine further disciplinary action. Depending on the nature of the infractions, this could mean anywhere from more assigned detentions, AER, or removal to study hall. Point records accumulate during one semester and then begin anew second semester.
7 Make-Up Work You will have one day for every day missed to make up your assignments. Please come in to see me during tutorial as soon as you return to school from an absence. Tests and quiz make-up dates must be scheduled immediately. Check the make-up folder or the classroom website for assignments and handouts. The site’s address is
8 Grading Grading Scale 100-90=A 89-80=B 79-70=C 69-60=D Below 60=F*Grades in this class are cumulative and are based on total points.
9 Grading Continued Classwork will be assigned frequently and will be collected occasionally for a participation grade. Homework will be assigned regularly and will be collected occasionally for a grade. Occasional unit quizzes and tests will also make up a portion of your grade. Two formal essay assignment grades will be included in your percentage for this course each semester. You will also be required to submit 30 annotations for each outside reading book that you read each semester. This assignment is worth 150 points each semester. Class projects, if time permits, will be included in your final semester grade as well. Weekly timed readings will be occasionally collected for a class participation grade.
10 More on Grading Please do not ask me “Is this assignment for a grade?”The answer is everything you are asked to do in this class is important and is assessed either formally or informally. So, this means, give your best effort on everything you do in this class!
11 Miscellaneous Policies and ProceduresPlease bring your textbook, paper, English folder, pen, pencil, and journal to class each day. Spiral bound notebook paper is discouraged. Please use pencil or black/blue ink on all assignments. Unless instructed otherwise, please use complete sentences for all assignments. Remember to proofread, correcting all spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors. Include an appropriate header with all assignments, including first and last name, course title, hour, date, assignment title, and page number. The assignment title should be centered at the top of the paper. All other info should be included in the upper right-hand corner of the assignment. Please write neatly and legibly. For some, it may be better to type the assignments.
12 Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures ContinuedAll formal essay assignments should be typed, double-spaced, and include header unless otherwise instructed. No cover page or report folder should be included. Score sheets are provided for each student to keep track of assignments and points earned. Students are highly encouraged to keep track of their own grades. Each student will be provided a manila folder to store all important documents such as tests, quizzes, and essays. These folders shall be kept in the classroom. Please save all of your assignments and handouts throughout the semester.
13 Writing Evaluation Most writing completed in this course is evaluated according to Illinois state standards based on a six point scale for Focus, Support/Elaboration, Organization, Conventions, and Integration/Style. The MLA or Modern Language Association is the style used in all English classes at CHS for documenting sources. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If a student is discovered plagiarizing in this course, a failing grade for the assignment shall be the result. A computer program known as Turnitin.com may be used in this course to check for assignment’s originality.
14 Grammar Info Along with Daily Oral Language (DOL’s) we may also use grammar computer program called englishgrammar101.com We will go to the lab occasionally to complete the units if lab time is available. Pretests and posttests along with individual grammar lessons are provided. Students will work at their own pace and set due dates to complete tests and lessons will be designated by the teacher. Students will receive passwords to access the programs. Tests may not be taken at home, but practice lessons may if the student has internet access. All students’ completed lessons, tests, and scores are sent directly the teacher’s inbox for review.
15 Gaggle.net Recently our school began using an internet program called gaggle.net. With this program all students are given an account to be used for educational purposes. Students may send and receive s to teachers and peers. Students may also submit assignments to teachers via the homework dropbox.
16 Gaggle.net There are many other features that may be used with gaggle.net that will be discussed in class shortly. If you do not have internet access at home, please let your teacher know so that an alternative method for submitting assignments may be provided. We do have internet access available in the CHS media center also.
17 Skyward Skyward is a new district wide database in which parents, students, teachers, and administrators may access daily attendance, grades, fees and other features with a secure login and password. We will discuss this system in more detail at a later time.
18 Get ready for a great year!