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Students,

Learning is a risky pursuit: you will leave your educational experience a different person than who you are now, and it is up to you what the character of that person is. It is a high-risk, high-reward situation to walk into a class knowing that how you spend the time that is given to you will affect your future.

In this classroom, it is my wish that we would recognize the influence of how we spend

our time. While we only have 58 minutes together, there is much that we can accomplish so we need to use our time together wisely. You play an integral role in the classroom environment! .

Classroom behavior policies are consistent expectations for student behavior within the classroom. These policies apply to all students at all times; individually, in work groups, and as a class. If a single student decides that these policies don’t apply to them, they are undermining their peer’s opportunity to learn.

With that being said, it is my promise that I will work along side you to ensure that you

are getting the most out of our time. With you in mind, I plan to: • Build an intellectually create and challenging environment • Champion a classroom ethos of encouragement and emotional safety • Foster respectful interpersonal relationships • Provide a sturdy framework of my expectations for your behavior and academic

excellence • Create course material that is worth your time

“When people honor each other, there is a trust established that leads to synergy,

interdependence, and deep respect. Both parties make decisions and choices based on what is right, what is best, what is valued most highly.”

– Blaine Lee

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Honors English Literature for 10th Graders: Syllabus

Miss Johnson CT: Ms. Savio

Dos Pueblos High School, Period 3 Spring, 2017

Course Title & Description: Welcome to second semester of Honors English Literature for 10th graders! I am excited and grateful you are here and I have high hopes and expectations for our time together. This semester, we will continue the work that you began last semester with Ms. Savio, namely mastering the California State Common Core Standards in reading, writing, listening and speaking as you interact with a rigorous and relevant curriculum that is differentiated for the particular needs of Honors students.

You will continue to study a variety of literary works from various genres, including non-fiction and informational texts, poetry, essays, plays, short stories, and novels. In coordination with the reading, students complete a variety of writing assignments, including multi-paragraph essays, timed writings, dialectical journals, and poetry. Additionally, you will refine your public speaking skills through verbal presentations and in-class discussions. The study of rhetoric, a particular passion of mine, is an integral focus of the class and is taught in conjunction with the writing process and grammatical concepts. Together we will discover the joy and fun that is to be had in learning as we read, write, ask questions, practice discussion and presentation skills, and learn to think critically.

I am excited to share my love for language and literature with you! Teacher Information: Please do not hesitate to contact me! I appreciate hearing from you, whether it is regarding class questions or clarification or to share something entertaining that pertains to class discussion.

Miss Johnson, CT Ms. Savio

Room Q-8 Website: NEO and savioenglish.wordpress.com

E-mail: clairejohnson@sbunified.org (preferred)

Phone: (805) 968-2541, ext. 4651 *I will be moving around campus to teach this semester, so if you need to leave a message, be sure to specify that it is for Miss Johnson. I will be in Q-8 during Seminar on Wednesdays

Text Selections: 1 down, 3 to go! This semester, we will dive into the world of 1984, the life of Elie Wiesel, and the thematic writings of Shakespeare.

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Rules: This semester, we will continue to adhere to Ms. Savio’s rules that she introduced at the beginning of the year:

1. Be Respectful of property, the teacher, peers, and guests in our classroom. 2. Be prepared and be on time. 3. Ask for help when you need it and always give assignments your best try. 4. Keep an open mind to the texts and new ideas, appreciate the diversity in our class, and

participate while operating with this frame of mind. 5. Follow school-wide standards of conduct outlined on the school website. The Website

also outlines discipline consequences for breaking rules. Expectations, Effort, Attitude, and Integrity: I expect you to give your best effort and have a positive attitude in class. Your materials should be organized, papers should be neat, and you handwriting should be legible. I understand that learning can be both easy and difficult at times, but be sure to have a growth mindset and believe that you can always work harder to get smarter! Remember that your integrity is valuable; please do not compromise your integrity to try to get a higher grade. You are responsible for your own work. Be sure to meet with me if you find yourself in a bind! I am here to help you- I want you to be successful in this class! Required Materials: Specified English notebook or section of notebook and school-provided copy of current class text Suggested Materials: Lined paper, pen or pencil with eraser, composition journal (preferably without wire binding), small hand sharpener with cover to trap pencil shavings, small Post-It notes for annotation and notes in books, highlighters. (Some students prefer buying a personal copy of current class text so they can write in it. Let me know if you want the ISBN # for a book.) Expectations: Students should expect homework three to five nights a week (often reading). Please note: Completing homework assignments and class participation are both key to receiving a passing grade. Most coursework will be completed in class and will be difficult to make up; therefore, good attendance is essential. Plagiarism is not only beneath our students, it also results in an automatic “F” on an assignment and will be reported to the proper administrators, in keeping with school policy.

• Students will need to check NEO to monitor grades and, after an absence, to find missing class work and assignments on savioenglish.wordpress.com. You are responsible for getting any materials you missed, and for making up all missed work (see policy below). If we cover a skill you missed due to an excused absence, schedule a meeting (not during passing periods) to go over the material.

• Students will be required to regularly read self-selected literature for IR both inside and outside the classroom. Students will read one book per quarter from a pre-approved list of about 7 titles. See me if you have any questions.

• • Students will need access to the Internet. Students without Internet access at home can utilize the school computers before school, after school, or during seminar and lunch.

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• Late Policy: Anything late will receive half credit if it's turned in the next day. You will receive one pass for the year, which will allow you to turn in one assignment of your choice without any point deduction for being late

• At some point, most students realize they need a bit of extra help. Students should utilize notes posted online, the Writing Center, or make an appointment to see me before/after school, at lunch, or during seminar. Think about your questions, and then come see me!

Grading Scale and Policy: Points will be awarded for most homework and in-class assignments. Points will also be given for participation. Essays are weighted to be worth 40% of the final grade, homework/classwork is worth 30%, and assessments/projects are worth 30%. There is no curve. Progress report, quarterly, and final grades will be reported to parents/guardians in the form of a letter grade. Letter grades are based on the following scale: Grade Scale: 90-100% = A 80-89% = B 70-79% = C 60-69% = D 0-59% = F Students/parents should regularly monitor grades on NEO online via the school website. To see class/homework assignments, and to download worksheets, visit savioenglish.wordpress.com. Make-Up Work Policy: It is the responsibility of the student to manage his or her make-up work. Students are responsible for getting the assignments, arranging a time to take the make-up tests, etc. Use savioenglish.wordpress.com and NEO to avoid falling behind. Students will be given one day to make up their work for each day of excused but unexpected absence, such as illness or bereavement. If students plan to be absent due to sports, religious holidays, school field trips, or other such events, they are greatly encouraged to turn in work early whenever possible. If not, major assignments (essays, projects) will be due online by midnight of the set due date unless the student makes other arrangements with me prior to the absence. Missed quizzes must be taken the day of return unless the student makes other arrangements with me prior to the absence. If students plan to be absent for multiple days, such as for religious holidays, they should speak with me before the planned absence. Special accommodations may be possible. Work which is not completed within the allotted time will be considered a late assignment. Excused absences on test days will allow the student an opportunity for a make-up test. Chronic absence on test days, or days when major assignments are due, may disallow the student from make-up opportunities. Assignments are due at the beginning of class. When in doubt, contact me (as early as possible). A Note on Written Work: In this class we will write a lot in response to literature and personal experiences. I know that it can be emotionally and intellectually challenging to produce written work, especially when it pertains to your personal life. I want you to know that I consider my access to your written work one of the highest honors of my job. I will do my best to give you the same thoughtful and useful feedback on your hard work. Thank you for entrusting me with your valuable thoughts!

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Policies & Procedures Beginning of class: Every day at the beginning of class, I will do my best to greet you at the door by name. Some days I will greet you with a firm handshake. This is an important skill to carry into your professional future. After greeting you, I expect you to take your seat quietly and respectfully and to prepare for the beginning of class by reading the Objective, Essential Question, and agenda on the board. Attendance: This class is dependent upon your physical and intellectual presence and participation in discussion, conversation, and written work. Most of the coursework will be done in class and it is difficult to make it up, therefore, good attendance is essential to your success! I urge you to make every effort to be in class on time and prepared every day. Remember that it is a DP policy that 5 tardies = a detention! Being outside the door is tardy. Being in the bathroom without permission before class is a tardy.

Cell phone policy: Per the Dos Pueblos policy, students are expected to turn off cell phones so as not to disturb the class. No cell phones or other electronic devices are allowed in class. If I see you with a cell phone, I will ask you to put it away. If I see it a second time, I will take it for the rest of class. If I see it a 3rd time, I will hold it for the rest of the day. After that, it will go to Administration. If you think it will be too much of a temptation, I will have an extension cord available at the front of the room if you would like to bring in a charger and charge your phone for the class. This way it can’t cause you any trouble! Bathroom Policy: One student may leave the classroom at a time with my permission. I ask that you would wait until an appropriate time during class to go to the restroom. I expect that you will make sure that you do not miss any vital information. Late work policy: I understand that being a student is a lot of work and that life happens and it is tough to get everything done. Know that I am here to help you succeed! The key is communication. I know that life outside of school can cause stress and anxiety due to outside forces, there for please communicate with me about what is going on so I can better teach according to your needs! If your situation is affecting your schoolwork, please have a conversation with me before the day the assignment is due. This way we can work together to reach success. Language Policy: I expect you to engage in academic conversation while in this class. It is a skill that you will carry with you for the rest of your life! I will not tolerate cuss words/curse words/swear words, what ever you would like to call them, as they are derogatory, demeaning, and a cheap way to express your thoughts. I believe you are above that and together we will supply you with the vocabulary to express your thoughts eloquently and professionally. Even when using your beautiful academic language, please do not speak over each other!