Welcome to 10 th Grade Honors English! Mrs. Ebersole

1. Welcome to 10th Grade Honors English!Mrs. Ebersole

2. About Me… • My name is Laura Ebersole • I’ve taught at Upper Merion for 15 years. • My undergrad work was at U. of Delaware (go Blue Hens!) and my master’s degree is from West Chester University. • I also direct plays, am a class sponsor, and live in the district (you may see me in the Middle School or at Caley).

3. My Beliefs • All children,,, • can learn • should be held to high expectations • Should have choices that meet their areas of special interests. • deserve exposure to higher level concepts to promote critical thinking and problem solving • Need strong communication skills as a vital component in any career path. • Can improve their writing skills by reading challenging material. • Must take risks in order to grow.

4. Essential Questions: Grade 10 • While there are many questions we will address through our reading and writing, below are the essential questions that shape our coursework: • How does the process of self-discovery shape an individual's identity? • How does social/economic/class structure affect an individual's identity? • What makes us stand out amongst a society that values sameness? • What qualities define an effective leader? • How do we use our words to persuade others? • How are themes in literature reflected in our personal lives?

5. Major Assessments Novel tests • Based on Essential questions, class discussions, literary terms, and reading strategies. Writing • Analytical writing • Literary comparison Essays • Creative Writing District performance tasks • Writing and reading • 1 per quarter • PSSA domain specific rubric Grammar • 1 formal unit per quarter • Focus areas include clauses/phrases, parallel structure, comma review, commonly confused words, agreement, active/passive voice. Projects • 1 per quarter • Reading Olympic project • Ad campaign • Research wikispace • Zine Poetry project Vocabulary Quizzes • Approximately 4 a marking period • Mixture of SAT words, In-text vocabulary, and Tone Words

6. Grading Policy • Components (point value system) • Reading • Writing • Grammar • Vocabulary • Projects • Criteria • 90-100% A Exceeds expectations • 80-89% B Meets expectations • 70-79% C Needs improvement to meet expectations • 65-69% D Below expectations • Below 65% F

7. Extended Learning • Students can earn up to 10 bonus points per marking period for submitting additional writing assignments. Items might include: • Submissions for Venture • Reviews of plays, sporting events, or other school sponsored events. • Book, Music, or Film reviews. • Submissions must be 1 page of text and be received at least 1 week before the end of the marking period.

8. How can students improve their organization? • Keep an English notebook or digital notebook, devoting sections to reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and research. • Use a study buddy or email the teacher if they are missing a class due to illness, sporting event, or music pull out. • Review “Ning” for blogging, videos, and peer editing. • Subscribe to ical for due dates, notes, and announcements.

9. How can we work together? • Ask students what will be due in the next week and monitor their progress. • Encourage students to develop self advocacy while still offering parental support. • Please contact me with questions, problems, or concerns. • Stress the importance of balancing responsibilities.

10. What do you like to read? • Books I’ve read this summer and found interesting: • Understanding Creativity by Jane Piirto, Ph.D. • Late Lost and Unprepared: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children with Executive Functioning by Joyce Cooper-Kahn and Laurie Dietzel • The Hunger Games series • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.