Welcome to English I

1. Welcome toEnglish I Mrs. Drake Room #400 Classroom website <mrsdrakesclassroom.pbworks.com> Email ddrake@charleston.k12.il.us Voice Mail Mrs. Drake (217)639-5093

2. Course Description • This course will emphasize the study of literature as well as the study of grammar usage and the writing process. • First semester, students will study excerpts from Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey as well as a Non-fiction unit. • Second semester, students will study select short stories and two novels including Dandelion Wine and A Separate Peace. • One full-length, fiction or non-fiction work chosen by the student and approved by the teacher must be read outside of class both semesters. • A minimum of two five-paragraph essays must be formally evaluated each semester. First semester the focus will be on compare/contrast and cause/effect writing while second semester the focus shall be on narrative writing. • Weekly timed, reading comprehension practice and the study of vocabulary root words are also required for this course.

3. Textbooks Elements of Language 3rd Course Holt, Rinehart, & Winston Elements of Literature 3rd Course Holt, Rinehart, & Winston

4. Novels Dandelion Wine By Ray Bradbury A Separate Peace By John Knowles

5. Classroom Rules • High expectations are a must! • Good attendance is essential to success. • Abide by the “golden rule.” • Come to class on time. • Avoid disruptions. • Be prepared for class. • Do not ask to leave the classroom except for emergencies (you must have your planner). • Late work will not be accepted except under rare circumstances. • Deal with make-up work immediately. • No food or drink is allowed in the classroom. • No cell phones or ipods are permitted to be in use during class without permission. • Respect school property especially classroom equipment. • Wait for the teacher to dismiss the class and not the bell.

6. Consequences • A verbal warning is given when a classroom rule has been violated. This does not include tardy violations, insubordination, misbehavior for a sub, inappropriate use of classroom equipment, or gross misconduct. • Insubordination, misbehavior for a sub, and inappropriate use of classroom equipment will result in, at minimum, an automatic detention. A tardy violation receives an automatic 3 points. • If the warning is not heeded, 3 pts. are assigned for each subsequent infraction. • When the student has accumulated 9 classroom points, a point letter is sent home to parents. • The next subsequent infraction after the letter will be an assigned detention. • If the behavior continues beyond the detention, subsequent points are assigned. • If in the event that the student reaches 20 points, a conference with the parent/guardian is held to determine further disciplinary action. Depending on the nature of the infractions, this could mean anywhere from more assigned detentions, AER, or removal to study hall. • Point records accumulate during one semester and then begin anew second semester.

7. Make-Up Work • You will have one day for every day missed to make up your assignments. • Please come in to see me during tutorial as soon as you return to school from an absence. • Tests and quiz make-up dates must be scheduled immediately. • Check the make-up folder or the classroom website for assignments and handouts. The site’s address is <mrsdrakesclassroom.pbworks.com>. • Alternative assignments may be given for missed videos and group assignments. • If you are absent on an important essay or presentation due date, only a note from a parent/ guardian or doctor will excuse you from receiving late deduction points. • Papers and presentations not turned in on the assigned due date will receive one letter grade deduction for each day late. • If you miss school for any reason other than illness, you will need to make up your work before you leave in most cases.

8. Grading Grading Scale 100-90=A 89-80=B 79-70=C 69-60=D Below 60=F *Grades in this class are cumulative and are based on total points.

9. Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures • Please bring your textbook, notebook paper, English folder, pen, and pencil to class each day. • Spiral bound notebook paper is discouraged. • Please use pencil or black/blue ink on all assignments. • Unless instructed otherwise, please use complete sentences for all assignments. Remember to proofread, correcting all spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors. • Include an appropriate header with all assignments, including first and last name, course title, hour, date, assignment title, and page number. The assignment title should be centered at the top of the paper. All other info should be included in the upper right-hand corner of the assignment. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a grade deduction. • Please write neatly and legibly. For some, it may be better to type the assignments.

10. Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures Continued • All formal essay assignments should be typed, double-spaced, and include header. No cover page or report folder should be included. • Score sheets are provided for each student to keep track of assignments and points earned. Students are highly encouraged to keep track of their own grades. Otherwise, they shall find themselves at the mercy of the teachers’ accounting system. Teachers are human! • Each student will be provided a manila folder to store all important documents such as tests, quizzes, and essays. These folders shall be kept in the classroom. • Please save all of your assignments and handouts throughout the semester.

11. Writing Evaluation • Most writing completed in this course is evaluated according to Illinois state standards based on a six point scale for Focus, Support/Elaboration, Organization, Conventions, and Integration/Style. • The MLA or Modern Language Association is the style used in all English classes at CHS for documenting sources. • Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If a student is discovered plagiarizing in this course, a failing grade for the assignment shall be the result. • A computer program known as Turnitin.com may be used in this course to check for assignment’s originality.

12. Daily Grammar Practice (DGP) • We will be using a grammar program known as DGP or Daily Grammar Practice. • We will be doing DGP normally at the beginning of each class period unless instructed otherwise. On some occasions, the DGP activity shall be assigned as homework and at other times you will be provided the opportunity to work through the assignment in class as guided practice. • There will be a quiz over DGP both quarters. • The DGP skills will be included on the semester and final exams. • You will be allowed to use notes on quizzes, but not or exams. • The expectation from this program is that you will learn and retain more grammar knowledge to prepare you for the professional world. • The assignments from this program will count as part of your daily participation grade.

13. More Grammar Info • We are also going to continue a grammar computer program called englishgrammar101.com • We will go to the lab occasionally to complete the unit programs. • Pretests and posttests along with individual grammar lessons are provided. • Students will work at their own pace and set due dates to complete tests and lessons will be designated by the teacher. • Students will receive passwords to access the programs. Tests may not be taken at home, but practice lessons may if the student has internet access. • All students’ completed lessons, tests, and scores are sent directly the teacher’s inbox for review.

14. Get ready for a great year!