Mrs.

Strayers Classroom Rules & Expectations DONT LOSE THESE

School Phone: (269) 692-6166 x6761 Intern Teacher: Mr. Burns

English II 2012-13
e-mail: cstrayer@otsegops.org e-mail: dburns@otsegops.org e-mail: lmckinney@otsegops.org

Welcome! I am looking forward to a productive trimester with each and every one of you. In order to achieve success, there are certain guidelines that we will be following. While most are stated here, other necessary procedures will be learned throughout the course of our trimester together. 1) Rule: Come prepared to be an active member of our class 2) Rule: Contribute to the maintenance of an orderly classroom ~Examples are:
Attend to your personal needs (restroom, drinks, locker, etc) before coming to class Sharpen your pencil & throw trash away before or after class whenever possible a. Not during direct instruction b. No throwing trash at the can. Raise your hand and wait to be called upon

3) Rule: Demonstrate respect for yourself, your teacher, and our environment. ~Examples are:
Do not talk when instruction is being conducted- listen to all of the information, before posing questions. No profanity, put downs, or discriminatory/intimidating language (even in jest) will be tolerated. Do not touch, destroy, or devalue other peoples property and materials or classroom propertyreport any observed acts of vandalism, immediately.

4) Rule: Demonstrate a high level of personal responsibility as a member of our learning i. Community ~ Examples are:
Be on time to class, in your seat when the bell rings, getting to work immediately. Stay on task Clean up after yourselves, return materials to the designated locations When working in groups, remain in groups unless working on a specific task that requires you to move around

5) Rule: No food, drink (plain water is permitted), or gum in the classroom or hallways. 6) Rule: Follow all school rules

Course Objectives:

Students will read a diverse collection of both fictional and nonfictional literature from a representative group of authors and time periods. Students will learn to write in a variety of styles, following specific guidelines and utilizing literary conventions. Students will gain understanding of grammatical structures, and will strive to develop a more sophisticated vocabulary. Students will develop critical thinking and research skills, demonstrating these skills in both written and oral formats. Students will learn to work cooperatively to achieve common goals. Students will be able to determine relevance of classroom materials to other disciplines as well as their own lives and experiences.

Required Materials (If assistance is needed in acquiring these materials, please see me at the end of class)
3-Ring loose-leaf binder/notebook with at least 3 DIVIDERS 1 for course notes, 1 for Reading Cornell notes, 1 for Writing assignments. The use of textbooks to store papers will result in a detention after the first warning. Pencils (more than one) Pen-blue or black ink Textbook/novel being studied

Procedures: The following procedures are designed to ensure an appropriate learning environment for all
students.
Beginning of Class: 1. All homework/assignments due for the current class period will be turned into the homework basket before class begins, unless you are directed to do otherwise. 2. Be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings 3. Only materials necessary for the class should be on the desk (I confiscate materials/homework for other classes, if I see it) 4. If you hold up the start of class, I will hold you up at the end of class Ending of Class: 1. Clarify any confusion on homework assignments prior to leaving class 2. Ensure the classroom is in order prior to the bell 3. Ensure that you have the next days homework written down 4. Remain at your seats until the class is dismissed do not line up at the door 5. The teacher dismisses the class, not the bell 6. DO NOT LINE UP AT THE DOOR!!!

Personal Technology
Cell phone use is a privilege and can be revoked at any time that the teacher deems it to be a distraction. Use of the cell phone in class for any reason is only allowed if permission is granted from the teacher. If use of cell phone becomes a problem in class, a detention will be given. Music You may listen to music, by means of an MP3 player only. You may not listen to music through the school laptops and you must bring headphones to class, prior to the bell ringing. - MUSIC WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED ON DAYS WHEN YOU ARE WORKING INDEPENDENTLY ON A WRITING ASSIGNMENT WITH PERMISSION.

Restroom Use:
You are expected to use the restroom during passing time. If you need to go during class, you must ask permission and it is at the discretion of the teacher. If the privilege is abused, you will be required to wait until the end of class.

Homework
Late Homework
If homework is not turned in at the beginning of class, it is late. Failure to do assignments on time will result in: a referral to the WIN the same day the homework is due and any subsequent days required to complete the assignment 20% reduction in your possible maximum grade for daily homework OR 10% daily reduction for larger assignments/projects Likely assignment of alternative work, when needed

Late Papers/Projects/Presentations
You lose 10% every day your paper/project/presentation is late, after the assigned turn-in date. The most you may earn on an assignment that is over one week late is 50%. This will be discretionary, based upon the quality of the work turned in.

Tests/Quizzes:
Quizzes will be given over reading assignments and homework to verify completion. Tests will be given at the end of each unit or major work/author as well as for assigned vocabulary. These tests will generally include short answer and essay questions. Exams will be given at the end of each semester. Exams will be comprehensive, addressing all skills and concepts covered in the course to date.

Absences/Tardies:

Attendance is necessary for success in this class. Students receive class participation points, and there will be valuable information covered in lecture and discussion that is not available in the text. Discipline for tardies and absences will follow the school tardy/absence policy.

Make up Work Students are responsible for finding out which assignments/homework were missed during their absence and turning the material in within the above guidelines.- REMINDERS WILL NOT BE GIVEN
There is no make up for unexcused absences Missed assignments will be available in the Missed Work Binders. Seek those out upon your return from your excused absence. For absences excused due to illness or emergency: Tests or exams missed due to excused absence from class will be made up within one week of the return date, after school. Pre-arranged absences students must turn in previously assigned work due during the scheduled absence, prior to the absence. Students must turn in work assigned in anticipation of the absence (if applicable) upon return from the absence. Work may be left in the teachers mailbox in the office, faxed to the school, or e-mailed to the teacher on or prior to the due date.

Students who do not take the initiative to complete the missed work due to absence, will be referred to the WIN program to complete the work or make up the tests/quizzes
Grading:
Grades will be based on an accumulation of points within specific, weighted categories. Summative Assessments 70% Annotated Bibliographies (x2) ACT Critical Rdg. Literature Tests On Demand Writing
Argumentative Writing Narrative Writing Informative Writing Digital Project Course Notes Formal Presentations/Discussions

0% * 0% *

Formative Assessments Participation Daily Work

30%

Comments on Grading Symbols: Z = assignment has not been turned in X= an assignment that has been excused ___ = a blank space indicates that the student has turned in an assignment but it has not been graded, yet.

Academic Progress:
I review grades on a regular basis. Those students who have a D+ or below will be required to get a progress report signed by a parent/guardian. If this does not occur, I will call the parent/guardian regarding my concerns.

Contacting the Teacher

Success in the classroom is a combination of efforts between students, teachers, and parents. I welcome any questions, concerns, or comments. Communication of both concerns and celebrations will contribute to an effective learning environment for all students. The first option for communication should be through the student. I will be more than happy to spend time with him/her for clarification or advice. Parents may also contact me through email cstrayer@otsegops.org or the school phone system at 692-6166 ext. 6761, and I will make every attempt to respond within a 24-hour period Note: e-mail is often the quickest and easiest method to answer simple questions and address concerns. I check email both before and after school.

Welcome to English II -- I look forward to a great trimester with you!!!

Mrs. Strayers Rules, Policies, & Procedures Parent Signature Worksheet

Dear Parent or Guardian, Thank you for taking the time to read the English IIBH classroom procedures/rules and course overview handout with your student. Their purpose is to present my policies and procedures as well as class requirements. As you have read, your student will need to have a 3-ring binder for this class. If this is not possible, please have your student see me. Be aware that I will be reviewing the students academic progress on a regular basis. If a student is earning a D+ or below, a progress reports will be sent home for your review and signature. If I do not receive this report back, as required, I will be calling you to ensure that you have received the critical information about your students performance in class.
Please provide the following information:

NAME OF STUDENT: ______________________________________________________ NAME OF PARENT/GUARDIAN: ____________________________________________ RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENT: ______________________________________________ What are the best ways for me to contact parent? E-mail________________________________________ Home Phone___________________________________ Work Phone___________________________________ What are the best times to reach you?___________________________________

Please sign the bottom of this sheet along with your student. I will keep this for my records. Also, please feel free to detach the bottom portion, so you may contact me at anytime for any reason. I look forward to meeting you at conferences later in the trimester. Sincerely, Chris Strayer

Parent/Guardian ___________________________ Student _____________________________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Christine Strayer English Teacher, Otsego High School e-mail : cstrayer@otsegops.org

Voice Mail: 692-6166 ; x6761

Movie Permission Slip Dear Parent/Guardian: Throughout the course of our studies, we will periodically view films in class that are directly related to the literature we are reading, or concepts the students are learning in class. These films are always previewed for appropriateness of material prior to being shown. The district requires that teachers keep on file parental permission slips for any movie that is not G-rated. In order for your child to see these films in class, I must have a parental permission slip on file. This permission slip would allow your child to view movies rated PG or PG-13 rated films. If the permission slip is not signed, your student would be given activities or bookwork outside of class to complete, and would not be allowed to view the film with the rest of the class. If you approve the viewing of movies with a less-than R rating by your child, please check the appropriate box below and sign in the appropriate place *************************************************************************
General Film Permission Slip

My child has permission to view films in English class that have a PG or PG-13 rating. OR My child does not have permission to view films in English class that have a PG or PG-13 rating.

Student Name (print) ______________________ Parent/Guardian name (print)________________ Daytime phone ___________________________

Student Signature ____________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature _____________________ Evening Phone ______________________________