Ellington High School Objectives

A. Academic

          Listen and view with understanding.

          Read and write effectively.

          Reason effectively, think critically, and solve problems.

          Utilize resources including media, computers, and other technologies.

B. Civic

          Meet the responsibilities of citizenship.

          Demonstrate leadership and service to the community.

C. Social

          Practice moral and ethical conduct.

          Affirm diversity and practice respect.

          Demonstrate skills and competencies for personal well being and growth.

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Expectations for Daily Class Achievement in English

• Understand: Derive a general understanding of the text.
• Interpret:  Reflect upon and interact with the text to search for deeper interpretations of the text and overall meaning.
• Be critical:  Challenge the text to make judgments of quality about parts of the text in various contexts.
• Connect: Make associations between the text and life outside of the text.

Materials you need to bring EACH DAY:

• Notebook with two sections (section 1= vocab, section 2=class notes)
• Two-pocket folder for handouts, worksheets, and rubrics
• Blue/black pen AND pencil
• Book we are currently reading
• Effective system for recording long term and short term assignments

Classroom procedures and rules:

1. All of your work must have a proper heading (MLA format).  All work without a proper heading will be marked down one full letter grade. 

Headings look like this (aligned left):

Your Name

Ms. Popick

English grade-level-block

8 September 2008

Assignment Title

OR copy of the journal prompt/question

2. Students must be seated when the bell rings to avoid being marked tardy.  Please see the school handbook for additional information on tardiness and loss of class credit.

3. IF (and chances of this are slim) I write a pass for you to go to your locker to get materials you did not bring to class, you will be marked tardy.

4. Do not do ANYTHING that disrupts the class instruction or class activities.  Do not get out of your seat.  Do not write on boards.  Do not use profane language.  Do not eat, drink, or chew gum in class.  Do not make comments that are irrelevant.

5.  Start class each day by reading the essential question, agenda, objectives, and homework.  Copy homework assignments into your agenda.

6. Respect the classroom, your teacher, classmates, and yourselves.

7. No cell phones.  I will confiscate your phone and turn it into the main office. 

8. No food or drink in the classroom with the exception of clear, bottled water.

Disruptive behavior or failure to follow any of the class rules will result in the loss of daily participation points and possible removal from class and/or teacher detention.

Work policy and grades:

1. Homework is NOT accepted late.  Students will not be allowed to retreive homework left in a locker.  Work that is not with the student at the start of class is considered late. Our school policy is to allow two days to make up regular homework (not including projects or essays) and class work.  It is the student's responsibility to see me for help on missed lessons.

2. Larger projects will be accepted late, but for a full letter grade reduction each day that the assignment is not turned in. For example, if your paper was worth a C+, the grade will become a D+ if it is one day late. 

3. Your grade will be based on a total point system.  You will be able to determine your grade based on the total number of points you have earned out of the total number of available points. 

4. Papers must be typed in size 12 font, Times New Roman or Arial, double-spaced, 1-inch margins.  You must have a proper heading AND creative title for all work.  You must properly cite all information using MLA format.  Under special circumstances (see me), hand-printed essays on composition paper will be accepted in blue or black ink.  Final drafts will not be accepted in pencil or brightly colored ink.  All essays are due at the beginning of class.

5. If your final grade on a written piece is disastrous, it is your responsibility to make an appointment with me to discuss a plan to revise the piece.  The revised grade will be averaged together with the original paper grade.

6. If you are absent the day a major assignment is due, you are required to make arrangements for your assignment to arrive (with a friend, by e-mail, etc.)  Otherwise, I will need a phone call from your parent or guardian to verify the circumstances.

7. You have two days to make up regualar homework and classwork after an absence.  After the two days have passed, those grades will be entered as zeroes.

8. You have one week to make up missed quizzes and tests.  After one week has passed, the grade will be entered as a zero.

9. You must come prepared to class with all materials.  If you are missing any materials, you will lose class participation points.

Specific Class Information

Please consult your syllabus for specific information regarding reading, speech, writing, and grammar objectives.

Course Title	Class Texts	Upcoming Assignments/Areas of Study (just a sampling!)
Sophomores Level 2	The Pigman Twelve Angry Men The Old Man and the Sea A Midsummer Night's Dream Julius Caesar The Chocolate War To Kill a Mockingbird	Research paper about an author's accomplishments and contributions with a statement of purpose, 2-3 pages, 3-4 sources Vocabulary Essay Writing
Sophomores Level 3	The Pigman Twelve Angry Men The Old Man and the Sea A Midsummer Night's Dream	Research paper about an author's accomplishments and contributions with a statement of purpose, 2 pages, 2-3 sources Vocabulary Essay Writing
Seniors Level II	Heroes Macbeth Hamlet Lord of the Flies Pygmalion	Research paper on a career, 3-5 pages, presentation to the class, minimum of 4 sources including a personal interview Vocabulary Essay Writing

Good luck this year!