Ms.+Simmons-+English+9+Course+Expectations

Please Sign, Detach, and Return August 25, 2008 Dear Parent or Guardian, I am looking forward to working with your child this year. So that you will be familiar with the class goals and expectations for English 9, __please read the attached course description__. If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact me at Rising Sun HS at 410-658-9115. You may reach me through e-mail as well. My address is wmsimmons@ccps.org. However you decide to reach me, I will return your call or e-mail as soon as I am able. Please sign below and return the detached portion by September 6th. Feel free to write any comments on this sheet. Sincerely, Wendy Stutzman Simmons ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… We have read and understand the attached English 9 syllabus. Student’s Name (Please print): Student Signature: Parent/Guardian’s Name (Please print): _ Parent/Guardian’s Signature: Phone Number (Please include the best times to call): Work: Times: __ Home: ____ Times:__ _ PARENT Email Address: __ STUDENT Email Address: __  ** ENGLISH 9  ** Ms. Wendy Simmons 2008-2009 Syllabus E-mail: wmsimmons@ccps.org School Phone: 410-658-9115 After-School Help: Monday-Friday until 3:00 or by appointment Instructor Office is in Room 241 English 9 covers the major literary genres (short story, poetry, novel, drama, epic, and nonfiction) through a thematic approach. These themes include “Crisis and Conflict, ” “The Power of Storytelling,” “A World of Mystery,” “Voices of Experience,” and “The Classic Tradition.” It is my hope that students will leave this class with a better understanding of literature as well as the ability to relate what they read in the future to “real life” experiences. It is my belief that a student possessing the facility to identify and connect with themes found in literature throughout the history of humankind will be a better reader, a better student in **all** subject areas, as well as a well-rounded and connected global citizen. ** CLASS POLICIES ** So that you all learn as much as you can, I have devised some classroom procedures to ensure that we respect ourselves, each other, our property, and our school. These procedures are as follows: All quarter grades are based on points translated to a percentage grade based on CCPS’s adopted grading scale. Formative assessment measures (homework, class participation, class work, notebooks, WIKI postings, some quizzes, etc.) equal 70% of your grade, and summative assessment measures (tests, quizzes, projects, research reports, portfolio work, leading and participating in seminar discussions, etc.) equal 30% of your final grade. Progress reports will be given to all students. I will post grades on Grades Online on Friday afternoons. Please see pages 23-24 of your student planner for a policy review. *I reserve the right to alter the number of and/or weighting of grading assignments during the marking period to ensure that student grades are as fair as possible. //(Warning: Debating plus and minus grades with me is a bad idea.)// I strictly enforce the RSHS absence, tardy, and late work policies in your student handbook. Graded work posted on GO that can be made up will be designated by a 00. Work that is posted with a 0 can not be made up. Most reading will be taken from McDougal-Littell’s anthology __The Language of Literature__. You will find me to be a very reasonable person. __I promise to treat you like an adult as long as you act like an adult.__ This means that you show everyone respect, follow the rules in your planner, come prepared for class, don’t be late without a reason, please ask if you need help, and don’t whine about how much you have to do. You are a college-bound student; therefore, you should be getting used to the idea that hard work is an essential part of “the real world.” Get your work done on time, __especially__ on long-term project deadlines; however, I understand that things happen. If I am informed **//__early__//** of serious illnesses, difficult family situations, etc., I am more than willing to work with you. Always act honorably. I trust students without question until this trust is broken. Unless I have a reason to do otherwise, I will not give multiple versions of tests, and may allow you to complete missed work at home. Please do not rely on Sparknotes or Cliff’s Notes or their ilk as you read the assigned material. I have read much of the posted summaries and commentary; while it may appear helpful with plot clarification; most of the ideas are superficial and incorrect. If you rely on others’ analysis rather than reading the assigned material and making sense of it yourself, your grade will reflect your lack of understanding. ** ACADEMIC INTREGITY ** To quote the Cecil County Public Schools, “Cheating and plagiarism violate the most basic understanding between a student and a teacher.” CCPS defines cheating as follows. “Cheating occurs when a student:  ·  copies someone else’s work.  ·  allows someone else to copy his or her work.  ·  allows someone to complete his or her work. If a student is caught cheating, he or she:  ·  may fail the assignment without opportunity for retake.  ·  may be referred for disciplinary action.” ** PET PEEVES I PUNISH ** // Dress code violations: // Keep your body to yourself. // Cell phone and Mp3 player violations: // Per school policy, I will take them, even if your mom is on the phone. // Hat violations: // Rudeness is a disease. Inoculate yourself by not wearing hats. Per school policy, I will take them. // Food, gum, or drink violations other than beverages in plastic re-sealable bottles // : Per school policy, bad idea. // Immature behavior: // Please act like a mature person. I did not go to college and graduate school to teach elementary or middle school for a reason.
 * RSHS English 9 **
 * COURSE DESCRIPTION **
 * Please respect yourself ** by coming to class on time every day ready to learn and work. Bring your textbook, paper, pencil, homework, and a positive attitude. I will do the same. Do not degrade yourself by using profanity, harassing your classmates, or committing other offenses that jeopardize your ability to receive an education.
 * Please respect others ** so that we can all learn. Listen to the announcements, and refrain from talking when a teacher or one of your classmates is speaking in front of the class.
 * Please respect property. ** This classroom contains vital materials (particularly the teachers’ desks) that will enhance your education and thus your life. Please leave such important areas undisturbed.
 * Please respect your school. ** Please follow the guidelines set forth in the //Rising Sun Student Handbook//. I will enforce those guidelines and their consequences as the need arises.
 * ASSESSMENT AND GRADING **
 * ABSENSES, TARDIES, AND LATE WORK **
 * TEXTBOOKS **
 * REQUIRED SUPPLIES **
 * (1) three-ring binder or large spiral notebook with pockets for your journal entries and class notes.
 * Other stuff: pencil or pen, paper, textbook.
 * RULES AND PROCEDURES **

Offense #4: Office referral ||
 * Offense #3: After-school detention

Offense #1: Warning Offense #2: Phone call or conference ** ☺As always, THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE!☺ **
 * DISCIPLINE POLICY **