MR. MIRANO RM.

35

JMIRANO@EMAIL.ARIZONA.EDU

LITERATURE AND THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

Hello Students!
FLOWING WELLS HIGH SCHOOL / ENGLISH 5-6 / SPRING 2013

I hope that you had a wonderful and relaxing holiday break. Please take note of the semester overview to the right, and get ready for a rigorous and rewarding 18 weeks of school. This semester we will be working to improve our writing skills through an array of avenues: contextual thematic analyses, poetry, research papers, MEALs, and RAFTs. As backdrop to these writing exercises are two of the greatest American novels ever written: F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby and John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men. In order to become better writers, we must first become better readers. We will work to improve this skill through the reading of poetry. Also, we will read texts multiple times in multiple ways: we will read as a class, read in pairs, read in groups, read through art, participate in role playing, and more. My goal is to make the reading that we do more relevant to you. Reading a text just isnt enoughwe have to make it matter. I look forward to working with all of you, and never hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Best, Mr. Mirano

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past. -F. Scott Fitzgerald

Semester Overview

Literature - The Great Gatsby and Of Mice and Men. Context related vocabulary Writing Skills - Cover and assess all Six Traits and

persuasive literary analysis, Research, Poetry, MEALs, and RAFTs. Conventions - Grammar, comma placement, subject/verb agreement, colons/semicolons, parentheses, phrases, and parallel structures. Other Curriculum Poetry and Poetic Elements, Art Analysis, Scholarly Texts, and continue reading strategies.

If you can read poetry, you can read anything.

Reading one time is never enough. You must read multiple times in multiple ways.

Classroom Rules
Be prepared to learn. Be respectful at all times. Be on time. Be on task. No food, drink, or hats in class. No excuses; No complaining. **Cell phones must be turned off at all times. (Immediate referral) Major infractions such as fighting, leaving class without being dismissed, refusing to take your assigned seat, and addressing anyone in class with profanity will result in an immediate administrative referral.

Consequences
Positive Better Grades Personal Pride An effective learning environment. Positive call home Negative Detention Negative call home. Referral An ineffective learning environment.

I believe that we are solely responsible for our choices, and we have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime.

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

EVALUATION
Your quarterly (9 week) grades will consist of the following: Homework grades Projects and quizzes Tests Class Participation Notebook Grade

My philosophy on grades: They are important, but they are not everything. Learning is far more valuable.

Your semester (18 week) evaluation will be computed by combining your grades from the first and second quarter of the term with your final exam grade. The two quarter grades have a weight of 40% each, and the final exam grade makes up the remaining 20%. Final semester letter grades will be assigned according to the district scale. Academic dishonestly will result in a loss of credit.

A B C D F

90-100 % 80-89% 70-79% 60-69% 0-59%

Grading Scale

Classroom Procedures
1.) As soon as you enter class, begin the bellwork. If you are not working on bellwork by the time the final bell rings, you will be marked tardy. If you are absent, ask a classmate or myself about the previous bellwork. 2.) If you are tardy, please sign the tardy sheet. If you do not sign in, you will be marked absent. After your second tardy, you will lose your bellwork points for the day as well as a portion of your class participation points. 3.) Student participation is essential for an effective learning environment; however, it is important to remember to raise your hand and wait to be called on if youd like to talk. 4.) When I ask, Can I have your attention please, you are to do the following: STOP what you are doing LOOK at me so that I know I have your attention

LISTEN to what I am saying 5.) If you need to use the restroom, please do not disturb the class by asking my permission. You can go at anytime, except when directions are being given; be sure to take the pass. **Dont abuse your bathroom privileges. 6.) You are to keep a class notebook. This class notebook should be with you each day in class. I will grade them throughout the year. The class notebook needs to be a 3-ring binder, of no less than 1 width and should be stocked with notebook paper at ALL times. If your notebook is NOT in order when I grade it, you will receive ZERO points for your notebook that day. This is mandatory and will be worth a large amount of points at the end of each semester. 7.) All textbooks are kept in the classroom unless you have checked them out through me. If you fail to bring the book back, you will lose class participation points that day. The student is also financially responsible if the book does not get returned. This also includes any supplementary books assigned that the student must bring to class everyday. 8.) Only sharpen your pencil at appropriate times. 9.) Turn in all assignments on time. You will lose 5 % from your grade for each day that an assignment is late. I.e. A 100% assignment will go to a 95% after being a day late; then a 90%, an 85%, etc. 10.) The bell does not dismiss the class; I do. Stay quite and seated until I dismiss you. 11.) It is your responsibility to get your make-up work. The day you return after being absent, it is YOUR responsibility to check the notebook labeled English 5-6 Make-up Work to get any assignments you missed. If you have any questions about what you missed, the time to ask me is before or after class, not during. You may also see me before or after school or at lunch to get help with your make-up work. Any work that is NOT made up on time will receive a zero. You have one day for each day you are gone to turn in make-up work.

Students are to have in their possession each day the following materials. Blue/black in pen and pencil (Please use pen unless otherwise stated) Highlighter Grading Pen Plenty of paper Necessary books 3-ring binder with sections for bell work, grammar, authors, literature and graded assignments School planner

MATERIALS

English 5-6 Literature and the American Experience Mr. Mirano As parent/guardian of ____________________________________________, I acknowledge that I have read and reviewed Mr. Miranos Junior English Expectancy Sheet and understand it. I understand that late work will be accepted, but will lose 5% for each day that it is late. I understand that my child will have the following materials with him/her each day in class, and that failure to do so will result in his/her grade being lowered. Blue/black in pen and pencil. (Please use pen unless otherwise stated). Highlighter Grading pen Plenty of paper Necessary books 3-ring binder with sections for bell work, grammar, authors, literature and graded assignments. School planner ____________________________________________ Parent/Guardian signature

I, ____________________________________________, a student in Mr. Miranos Junior English class, have read and understand the Expectancy and Classroom procedures for this class. I also understand that I am to turn in all work on time and have with me each day the above materialsfailure to do so will result in loss of grade points.

____________________________________________ Student signature

OPEN HOUSE: TBD!