Course Description
Students will work toward mastery of Florida's Common Core State Standards through an integrated study of language arts using texts of high complexity.
Objectives
By the end of the academic year, students will be able to:
- Analyze literature and informational texts
- Develop and support argumentative claims
- Craft coherent, supportive informational/expository texts
- Write to sources using text based evidence and reasoning
- Develop effective listening, speaking, and viewing strategies with emphasis on the use of evidence to support or refute a claim in multimedia presentations, class discussions, and extended text discussions
- Collaborate positively with peers
Grading
Classwork/Portfolios - 100 points each
Homework/Reading Logs - 10 points each
Projects - 100 points each (1 per quarter)
Participation - 15 points a day
Quizzes - will vary upon length of quiz (how many points its worth will be listed at the top of the quiz the day of)
Tests - 100 points each
Notebook Checks - 50 points each (conducted biweekly)
*Final averages are computed by taking the total number of points earned and dividing it by the total number of points possible creating a percentage.
For example:
Portfolio - You earned 88 out of 100 possible points
Test - You earned 75 out of 100 possible points
Participation - You earned 5 out of 15 possible points
You earned - 168 out of a possible 215 points.
168/215 = .781 or 78%
*I will do my best to return all grades work to students within 1 week of submission.
Homework/Reading Logs - 10 points each
Projects - 100 points each (1 per quarter)
Participation - 15 points a day
Quizzes - will vary upon length of quiz (how many points its worth will be listed at the top of the quiz the day of)
Tests - 100 points each
Notebook Checks - 50 points each (conducted biweekly)
*Final averages are computed by taking the total number of points earned and dividing it by the total number of points possible creating a percentage.
For example:
Portfolio - You earned 88 out of 100 possible points
Test - You earned 75 out of 100 possible points
Participation - You earned 5 out of 15 possible points
You earned - 168 out of a possible 215 points.
168/215 = .781 or 78%
*I will do my best to return all grades work to students within 1 week of submission.
ABSENtee Policy
If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to make up their missing work. Students with excused absences have the same amount of time they were absent to make up their work. For example, if a student missed 2 days of school, then s/he would have 2 days to submit it before the assignment is subject to the late work policy. The day the student returns to school, s/he is responsible for getting their assignments from the "While you were out" binder and turning it in within the allotted time. If a student fails to make up their work within the allotted time, they will receive a "1" for the work, unless they spoke to me about an extension. If possible, let me know in advance when you will be absent so I can give you the work you will miss; I can also deliver work to the front office in the event of illness, etc.
Late Work Policy
I believe deadlines are imperative to cultivate a strong sense of accountability and responsibility, therefore, I expect deadlines to be adhered to. I understand that responsibility is a learning process. For homework and projects only, I will deduct 10 points each day it is late or until 1/2 credit is reached. In other words, late homework will have 1 pointed deducted every day until 5 points max is reached (1/2 credit). Projects will be deducted 10 points a day until 50 points max is reached (1/2 credit). If no attempt is made to turn in homework or projects after 1/2 credit is reached, it will be counted as a "1" (the minimum point possible). If there are extenuating circumstances (i.e. family emergencies, illness, etc.), I will work with the student and his/her family to establish a reasonable time-frame to complete the work. I must be notified of the circumstance as soon as possible to ensure the student does not fall behind.
Retake policy
Students may retake/correct quizzes and/or tests for up to 80% credit if they did not pass with an 80% or higher the first time. However, students must take, fill out and return a "Request to Retest" form, attach the necessary documents, and both the student and parent must sign and date it within 2 weeks of the original quiz/test. Retakes/corrections may be made up during elective classes with the permission of the elective teacher. If the elective teacher does not permit the student to retake/correct a quiz/test during their class, it is the student's responsibility to schedule a day after school for the retake. If a retake is not completed the original score will remain.
Classwork policy
Students are expected to be engaged every day in class and to complete all classwork. Any work a student fails to complete in class is homework, in addition to any homework that is assigned. Assignments will be kept under the proper section of their 3-ring binder. All assignments will be headed as demonstrated in class. Students who are not actively engaged in class and/or need redirection will lose participation points for the day.
Extra credit policy
Extra credit will not be given to "bring up" a grade that has been neglected up until the last moment. Extra credit is a privilege, not a right! I expect students to complete their regular coursework. I will give bonus questions on quizzes/tests that students can take advantage of on a regular basis (usually worth 5 points). Occasionally, I will post extra credit assignments to the website, as well as in the extra credit binder. Extra credit assignments can range from 5 to 100 points. All extra credit assignments must be submitted by the deadline. Extra credit assignments are not subject to the late work policy (turn it in on time, or don't turn it in at all). I will not accept extra credit assignments from students who have failed to turn in 5 or more assignments.
pLAGIARISM/CHEATING POLICY
Any student caught plagiarizing and/or cheating on an assignment/assessment will automatically be given a "0". Students will not be allowed to make up or redo the assignment. Copying work or allowing someone to copy your work is cheating and is subject to this policy. Keep in mind that plagiarism is a FELONY! It's not worth it, so don't try it!
parent communication
Progress reports are printed and distributed every 2 weeks on that Friday. The grade shown for my class on progress reports will reflect your student(s) accurate grade thus far. Conduct is scored on a scale of 1 to 4. A low conduct score usually accompanies a low grade. Disruptive behavior negatively impacts the learning environment. Therefore, it is vital that students are respectable, compliant with all school and classroom policies, and follow classroom expectations. This will ensure that all students are able to learn in a positive environment.
I will do my best to communicate with you on a regular basis. If your contact information changes during the year, please let me know as soon as possible. If you need to meet with me, please set up a conference so that I may best meet your needs and/or address your concern(s). You can set up a conference by calling the main office at 561.615.7700. Remember your student's success is a collaborative effort, and if we work together your student can achieve great things! I am always happy to answer questions or concerns, so please feel free to reach out to me.
I will do my best to communicate with you on a regular basis. If your contact information changes during the year, please let me know as soon as possible. If you need to meet with me, please set up a conference so that I may best meet your needs and/or address your concern(s). You can set up a conference by calling the main office at 561.615.7700. Remember your student's success is a collaborative effort, and if we work together your student can achieve great things! I am always happy to answer questions or concerns, so please feel free to reach out to me.