On Index Card…

1. On Index Card… • Child’s Name • Parent’s Names • Email Address • Only needed if email is not in school database. • Best method of contact • Anything in particular that you would like to share with me about your son/daughter

2. Welcome to Mrs. Williscroft’sAdvanced CP English 12 *************** This is a World Literature & Composition Course “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people”

3. Grades will be based on… • Tests • Open Note Quizzes • Journals • Essays & Rewrites • Oral Presentations • Projects & Class Assignments

4. Literature Beowulf: An epic poem detailing the chivalrous adventures of a hero on a quest. Grendel: The same story as above…from the monster’s perspective. College Essay: Tips and strategies for the College Essay! Frankenstein: Do you really know the story of Frankenstein? No…you don’t! Siddhartha: A man on a journey to find himself…and he eventually does. Things Fall Apart: Tribal warfare and the invasion of the white man have a significant effect on life in this African village. Macbeth: Shakespeare’s shortest dramatic work details the endless lengths that one will go to for power and money! Research Essay: This is what the entire college experience is about! A Streetcar Named Desire: A woman seeks to escape her shady past and start anew…but the past isn’t so easy to ignore!

5. Tests & Quizzes • Tests are always announced several days in advance • Quizzes may or may not be announced • Quizzes are always open-notebook • Tests ARE NOT open-notebook • Open-notebook Quizzes encourage “active reading” & provide a study guide for a test or midterm/final

6. Journals • Students are required to submit 4 journals a month • Journals are considered private unless… • Journals may be submitted for up to five school days after due date (-5 per day late); after that, they will be credited towards the next month. • Journals are worth 40 points per month. • Journals can be emailed to me, but I must confirm receipt of the email in order for credit to be given.

7. Journals are IMPORTANT to me… • They allow me to interact with your child • They allow the quieter students to have a voice • They provide an outlet if a student is having a problem in class • They alert me to anything that might be a concern • They provide an opportunity to write without fear of criticism

8. Essays & Rewrites • These are not “spur of the moment” assignments. • Students work on formal essays in class for at least a week. • Once an essay is graded and returned, students are expected to rewrite & resubmit the essay. • TURNITIN is REQUIRED!!! • Students may conference with me before or after school or at various times throughout the school day (preferably periods 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10). • Did I mention the RESEARCH ESSAY?

9. Oral Presentations • Oh Yes! Presentations in front of their Peers!! • Sometimes they will be with a group… • Sometimes they will be ALONE… • Creativity (a higher order thinking skill) is always encouraged… • If your child has any significant issues with public speaking, please let me know…

10. Projects & Class Assignments • These will vary throughout the year • I try to allow the students to utilize their creativity; I am very open-minded. • This is an opportunity for your child to flaunt a particular strength…whatever that may be!! • Outside Readings fall into this category. • Point values will vary depending on the complexity and time-consuming nature of the project/assignment.

11. In Conclusion… • This will be a fun & productive year! • Your child will get out of my class what he/she puts into it! • I look forward to working with all of your children! • I’m a mother of 3 (15, 11 & 10)…so if you have a concern…don’t hesitate to contact me…I UNDERSTAND!! • gwillyochs@yahoo.com • I promise to treat your child as the unique and special individual that he/she is!! 