Bell Activity

• Please fill out the “Student Information Sheet”.

• Please answer the questions on the “Student Interest Survey” (on the back of the “Student Information Sheet”).

• Begin looking over the syllabus.

Welcome to Freshman English!!

Classroom Expectations:

• L: Leave cell phones and other electronic devices turned off while in the classroom.

• E: Engage yourself and participate in class. Ask Questions.

• A: Arrive on time to class with all of your materials and ready to learn (this includes supplies, homework, and knowledge).

• R: Respect your classmates (NO HUNTING), your teacher and your classroom.

• N: Navigate your time; so that you can take care of personal matters outside of class (this includes bathroom business). Our time together is valuable.

Classroom Procedures:

1. Seat – Go2. Material – Pull out3. Journal – Write (Bell Activity)4. Homework – Turn In or Discuss5. Lecture/ Discussion – Take Notes6. Activity7. New Homework8. Wrap Up (Parking Lot)

English I Syllabus: The Highlights

• We will focus on three main areas in this classroom: reading, writing, and grammar.

• In these three main areas, you will be given work that will be either counted as a major grade or a minor grade. A major grade is worth 60% while a minor grade is worth 40%.

• Major grades are usually tests, essays, major projects, presentations, binders, journals, etc.

Syllabus Highlights continued:

• Minor grades are daily grades, quizzes, short writing assignments, classroom participation, etc.

• There are four assignments that will be ongoing throughout the semester that you will be graded on. They are: planners, VSG (vocabulary/syntax/grammar), journals (bell work), and outside reading.

Syllabus Highlights: Binders:

• You are required to keep an organized binder and bring it to class daily.

• You are required to have your binder divided into three sections: Reading/Literature, Writing, and Vocabulary/Grammar. You will need dividers (3).

• It must be neat and organized.

Syllabus Highlights: VSG

• You are going to be given a new set of vocabulary words at the beginning of each two week period.

• This means we will study our vocabulary words for two weeks before you are tested on them.

• You will also be taught grammar lessons in relation with these words.

• You will be composing sentences each week during the two week period using both the vocabulary word and the new grammar lesson.

• You will be graded on the sentences and the vocabulary

tests for VSG.

Syllabus Highlights: Journals

• You will be writing in your journals nearly every single class day.

• You will be graded on your journals every six weeks. It is a major grade.

• Your journal will be kept only in the classroom.

• You will need to have your journals in class by this Friday (August 26th). It can be a spiral notebook.

Syllabus Highlights: Outside Reading

• You will be expected to read novels, non-fiction, fiction, poetry, or essays outside of class throughout the year.

• Please come to class with the material read and prepared to discuss it.

• You will be given quizzes and assignments to evaluate if you have done the assignment.

Syllabus Highlights: Grades• You will be given at least 2 grades every week. • Some of these grades will be minor while others

will be major. • If you are not making a satisfactory grade in my

class, you will receive a progress report at the 3 week mark during the 6 weeks.

• Please, Please, Please do not wait till Progress Report time to come to tutorials for help!! I will hold tutorials daily from 7:45 – 8:20 and after school on Monday and Tuesdays until 4:30.

• You and your parents can access your grade at Skyward Family Access.

Syllabus Highlights: Communication

• My e-mail and phone number are on the top of your syllabus. Please feel free to use these at any time to communicate with me.

• I have 1st period conference. This time is set aside for me to help you and communicate with your parents.

• Communication is vital for your success, so I will be setting up conferences with you and your parents in order to achieve that success.

Syllabus Highlights: Homework, Make-up and Late Work

• All assignments are due at the beginning of the period.

• At the end of the 6 weeks, one daily grade will be dropped.

• Only ONE late assignment is allowed per 6 weeks with a 20% reduction in score this is for both major and minor grades.

• You will have one week to complete all make-up work, including tests that must be taken in tutorials.

Syllabus Highlights: Cheating and Plagiarism

• Cheating and plagiarism is unacceptable behavior.

• You will be given a zero for any assignment you plagiarize or cheat on along with a referral to the office. I will also take the liberty to call your parents to explain what has happened.

• You are expected to complete your own work. Please do so.

Homework:

• Contract signed by you and your parents.

• Supplies

Have a Good Day!

I’m looking forward to an exciting year with each of you!