The Hebrew Academy Upper School English and Government/Economics Mrs. R. Lydon, M.Ed. rlydon@hacds.

org Philosophy No two people are exactly the same, and no two students learn in exactly the same way. Each student has her own strengths that deserve to be nurtured and extended, and it is the purpose of these classes to help students recognize their strengths, identify their weaknesses, and work to systematically improve their skills. Grading Criteria Government and Economics - 50% Tests and Quizzes - 35% Projects, Reports, Presentations - 15% Homework, Classwork, Binder, Participation English -

40% Tests and quizzes, grammar, vocabulary and literature 45% Essays, Reports and Projects 15% Homework, Classwork, Binder, Participation

Example Assignments English: Independent reading books (one during first quarter, two during each subsequent quarter) Vocabulary (weekly) Grammar (daily) Essays (frequently) Chapter or topic outlines and notes or assessment questions Chapter or unit study guides and essential questions Projects and essays (several each quarter)

History:

Students are required to bring the following materials to class each day: Humanities Binder with dividers Agenda or homework book Several pens, including black or blue, and one additional color Correctional tape College-ruled loose notebook paper or college ruler spiral notebook with perforated pages Highlighters

Additional materials for the class are listed on the Required Materials page at the end of this packet. Class Policies and Expectations Instruction is given to the entire class, in small groups, or individually. Students will take notes; read quietly and aloud; participate in group, pair, and individual activities; and perform various writing and project-based tasks on a regular basis. Be Responsible Come to class on time. Bring all of your required supplies (see above). Help your peers when appropriate.

Be Respectful Be Safe Keep your hands and feet to yourself. Keep aisles clear. Remain seated unless give permission to do otherwise. Remain quiet until given permission to speak. Participate in classroom activities. Keep your area and the classroom clean.

Entering the room Come in quietly and sit in your assigned seat. Take out your humanities binder and begin working on the opening task. If you finish early, work on an approved silent activity until directed to do otherwise.

Consequences for Negative Behaviors Verbal Warning Classroom Issue Form filled out by student and returned to class signed by parent. Parent Contact or Meeting Continued disruption will be referred to the administration.

Late Work Late homework or classwork is not accepted. Late projects, reports, and essays will be accepted with a 20% credit deduction for each day the assignment is late. Plagiarism and Cheating Plagiarism or cheating of any kind will result in a grade of zero on the assignment or test and parent contact for the first offence. A second offence will result in a mandatory parent/teacher/student/administrator conference and a grade of zero on the assignment. English and History Syllabus 2013-2014 Mrs. R. Lydon, M.Ed. Page 2

Absences Students have as many days as they were absence to make up missed work. Students must make arrangements with Mrs. Lydon to make up missed tests within the same time period. As stated in the student handbook, if a student accumulates 10 absences in any class, the letter grade in that subject will be lowered one grade. Expectations may be made for absences due to illness and cleared by a physician. Bathroom, Food, and Water Students will be given four emergency bathroom passes for each class each semester. You may only use your own passes. Unused passes can be redeemed for extra-credit at the end of each semester. Food is not permitted in class at any time. Water is permitted in closed containers; bottles or containers must remain on the floor or in a bag or backpack. Standards for Written Work Compositions will be written on lined paper with the proper heading located in the upper right-hand corner in this form: Last name, First name Subject, period Date The title, when appropriate, is written on the top line. Skip one line and begin the composition. Keep a one inch margin on both sides and the bottom of the paper. Write on only one side of the paper for a final copy. Papers much be handwritten, in black or blue ink, or typed.

Group Work Expectations Remain on task at all times. Speak only to your own group. Ask you group members for help. Help your group members.

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English and Government/Economics Materials List Grades 9-12 2013/2014 Required Classroom Materials One 2 inch, three-ring binder One set of 8 tab dividers Agenda or homework book Several pens, including black or blue, red, and at least one additional color Colored pencils (at least 8 colors) Individual manual pencil sharpener with container for shavings Glue sticks (at least 2) Scissors Correctional tape College-ruled loose notebook paper or college ruler spiral notebook with perforated pages Ruler Highlighters (at least 3 different colors)

Additional Suggested Materials Colored markers Stencils Three hole punch that fits within three-ring binder Post-it notes of various sizes Index cards (3 x 5 and 5 x 8)

English and History Syllabus 2013-2014 Mrs. R. Lydon, M.Ed.

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August, 2013 Dear Parents and Guardians, My name is Mrs. Raychel Lydon, and I am pleased to say that I will be your daughters English and Government/Economics teacher this year. In Government, students will pursue a deeper understanding of the institutions of American government as they prepare to vote, participate in community activities, and assume the responsibilities of citizenship. In Economics, students will master fundamental economic concepts, applying the tools (graphs, statistics, equations) from other subject areas to the understanding of operations and institutions of economic systems. In English, students will continue to develop their reading and writing skills through the close examination of texts, extended writing assignments, and the completion of both individual and group projects. Students will be required to think critically, read actively, write accurately, and speak clearly in order to learn new ideas and communicate their understanding of key concepts, and it is my aim to work with each student to improve her skills in all of these areas. In order to assist me in developing a well-rounded appreciation of your daughters skills, strengths, and weaknesses, I would like to invite you to write me a letter. In it, please introduce yourself and share with me anything you would like to tell me about your daughters academic history, accomplishments, skills, or other information. As a childs first teacher, parents usually know details about their child that can be of immeasurable value to a teacher, and I am looking forward to reading what you have to say. You may send your letter to school with your child or e-mail me at the address below. I thank you in advance for your support.

With warm regards,

Mrs. Lydon _____________________________________________________________________________

Please share the above syllabus with your family. Afterwards, sign, date, and detach this form and return to Mrs. Lydon by September 3rd, 2013. I, ____________________________________ have read and understood my history and English syllabus. I have shared the syllabus with my parent(s) or legal guardian(s), and I agree to follow the rules, procedures, and expectations of the class. Student signature: _______________________________ Parent(s)/Guardians(s) signature(s): _____________________________________________________________________________ Date: __________________

English and History Syllabus 2013-2014 Mrs. R. Lydon, M.Ed.

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