Collins ELA 12 Syllabus

Robert D. Edgren High School

English Language Arts 12
Syllabus 2015 2016
Mrs. Ashlei Collins Rm. 4
ashlei.collins@pac.dodea.edu

This syllabus outlines the requirements, expectations and policies for this course. Become familiar with it and keep a copy
in your English binder so you may refer to it throughout the year.

Introduction
This course will focus on mastery of critical thinking, reading, and writing skills necessary for success of the DoDEA
English Language Arts Standards, successful completion of English 12 course, and preparation for future English
coursework. Additionally, the thinking, reading, and writing you engage in here will serve to develop your ability to identify
and understand the voices around and within so that you may be better able to communicate your thoughts and feelings to
yourself and others. I look forward to a challenging, yet rewarding school year. I absolutely love literature and writing and
my hope is that you will, too.
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Course Overview
Welcome to the fall semester of the 2015 2016 academic year! I hope you had a restful and relaxing summer and ready
for English 12. Throughout the course, you will be exposed to various sources, including literary novels, poetry, essays,
current event articles, and informational texts. The goal is to make you well versed in various texts and writing styles that
predominantly focus on evidentiary-based writing. Simply put, better readers make better writers. Throughout this course
we will focus on improving your reading and writing skills in order to effectively prepare for your future and professional
life beyond school.

Required Materials: Supplies

These materials are required every day for success in my English course:
3-ring binder (1 - 2 inch)
Dividers (8-tabs), labeling each tab as follows:
o Calendar, Warm-Up, Class Notes, Handouts, Homework, AoW, BoM, Returned Work (graded)
Writing Folder (3-pronged with 2 pockets)
Pens (black & blue), Pencils, and Highlighters
College-Ruled Lined Paper
Colored pencils and/or markers
NOTE: If youre having difficulty obtaining the required materials for class, please let me know ASAP.

Required Materials: Textbooks and Novels

Textbooks and supplementary materials should be brought to class every day unless instructed otherwise:
Textbooks
o Elements of Literature Sixth Course
o The Holt Handbook Sixth Course (Grammar textbook)
Novels and Complementary Texts
o 1984 by George Orwell
o Othello by William Shakespeare
o Selected essays and nonfiction works
NOTE: Students are responsible for replacing and misplaced/lost/stolen/damaged textbooks and/or novels.


Grading Distribution
Classwork/Homework
Quizzes
Projects/Essays
Exams
Collins ELA 12 Syllabus
This category includes all work begun and/or completed in class, work completed 40%
outside of class, warm-ups/bellwork, class discussions, group activities, AoWs,
BoMs, writing assignments, participation, and other assigned tasks.
This category includes announced and unannounced quizzes and group activities. 10%
This category includes individual and group projects, timed writing responses, and 30%
final essay submissions.
This category includes formal unit assessments, novel exams, and the writers 20%
portfolio.

NOTE: If you have concerns about your grade in class, make an appointment with me. I am available any time after school. I
do not give extra credit for missing assignments.

Grading Scale
90 100 = A GradeSpeed
80 89 = B Students and parents will have access to grades via GradeSpeed. Grades are updated every
70 79 = C Thursday evening. DO NOT ASK ME ABOUT GRADES DURING CLASS TIME.
69 60 = D Please contact Edgrens front office if you have any questions about GradeSpeed.
0 59 = F

Classroom Rules & Expectations

Classroom Rules
Rule #1: Be on time, on task and prepared to learn EVERY DAY.
Rule #2: Respect the teacher, the classroom, other students, and yourself.
Rule #3: Be responsible for your own learning.
Rule #4: Clean up after yourself and your peers.
Rule #5: Keep all personal electronics PUT AWAY.

Behavioral Consequences
Step One: Verbal warning
Step Two: Written warning
Step Three: Parent contact
Step Four: Administrative referral

NOTE: Serious offenses will be sent directly to the office and parents will be contacted immediately.

Attendance Policy
Daily class attendance is important for student success. If you are absent at any time, it is your responsibility to request and
obtain the class work and homework that was missed. In accordance with the school handbook, students are allowed the
number of days missed to make up the work (i.e. if the student misses 2 class periods, he/she will have two class periods
to make up the work).

Tardy Policy
It is imperative that you arrive on time and are seated in your assigned seat when the bell rings. Unannounced quizzes will
be given periodically during the first 5 minutes of class. If you arrive late, there will be NO make-up quiz and therefore
result in receiving no credit/F for that quiz. Every time you are late/tardy without an official pass, you will be referred to
the office.

 Collins ELA 12 Syllabus

Late Work Policy

Completing work in and out of class is imperative to your success in this class. Long hours of planning and preparation have
gone into the work assigned for this class. Therefore, you are expected to complete ALL assignments in a timely manner.
Late work will be accepted ONLY IF the absence is EXCUSED (this includes illness, sports/club events). Failure to
complete and turn in your work will result in the issuance of a Pink Slip. Regardless of the circumstances, individual and
group projects MUST be turned in on their original due date. NO LATE PROJECTS will be accepted.

It is the students responsibility to get the work they miss. I will not hunt them down. The student must use the
teacher notebook and/or check the Absentee File Cabinet for missing work. Exceptions are made for the following
reasons:
If an assignment is due on a day of an absence from school, it must be submitted early or no later than the
beginning of the class period. Email submissions are acceptable.
If an emergency arises, email me no later than 15 minutes before the beginning of you class.
For work assigned during an absence, you will have the number of class days youve missed to complete the work
(see attendance policy for clarification).

OTHERWISE, LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Classroom Procedures
Warm Up
Students are expected to come in, take their assigned seat, and begin working on the warm up on the board/SmartBoard.
This work should be completed without the teacher reminding you to get started. Warm up activities should be completed
within the first 10 15 minutes of class.

Homework Policy
You should expect to have 20-30 minutes of written homework each evening, plus reading. Homework assignments will be
both over night and long-range. Much of your daily homework in English 12 will involve reading with a corresponding
written response. You can expect written responses to be collected/turned in and assessed regularly. Homework will be
posted on the assignment board, the class calendar, and my teacher website.

Article of the Week (AoW)

Each week, students will be responsible for completing an Article of the Week (AoW). These are real world writings
taken straight from news stories, essays, editorials, blogs, and speeches. Sometimes the articles will relate to the unit we are
currently studying and sometimes they are completely unrelated, but all articles have one purpose to broaden your
knowledge of the world (Gallagher 2007).
The Article of the Week (AoW) will be distributed at the beginning of the week (Monday/Tuesday) and collected at the
end of the week (Thursday/Friday). You will be provided with a checklist to keep up with the articles assigned in class. It is
your responsibility to keep up with the articles each week.

Book of the Month (BoM)

DoDEA standards require students read a number of books throughout the school year. All students are required to read
10 books of their choice by the end of the school year. Students will receive a sheet each month to assess their knowledge of
the book. They will also receive a log at the beginning of the year to track the books theyve read. Students are responsible
for keeping up with their monthly assessments and book log throughout the year. Students will present book reports each
month on their book, which will count toward their homework grade. Their final log will be taken as a homework grade at
the end of the year.

Writers Folder
Writing makes us better readers. Therefore, all students are required to have a Writers Folder in class. This folder should
be 3-pronged with two pockets. Writing will include narrative, informational, literary analysis, and research. All forms of

 Collins ELA 12 Syllabus
writing, handouts, and additional writing supplements will remain in this folder. Unless instructed otherwise, writing
folders will remain in the classroom.

Writers Portfolio
As part of the end-of-year course assessment, students will build a Writers Portfolio throughout the school year. This work
will come from their Writers Folder. Students will receive the requirements during the first quarter and submit the final
project toward the end of fourth quarter. More information will be available as the year progresses.

Tutoring
Extra help is available after school by appointment only. If a student feels they are not accomplishing their goals well in
class, I will allow for a parent/teacher/student meeting and discuss options for success by appointment only. I feel
parents should be involved in this process.

Pink Slips
Failure to complete the classwork and/or homework assignments will result in the following:
Step 1: Issuance of a Pink Slip and a zero for that assignment
(if it becomes consistent, then steps 2 and 3 will be taken)
Step 2: Parent contact via email and/or phone call
Step 3: Parent conference

Below you will find a copy of the form you will receive and fill out if you fail to complete or turn in a classwork or homework
assignment. You will receive a zero in the gradebook and the original will be filed in your student folder. Consistent
issuances of Pink Slips will result in parent contact.

Electronic Device Policy

ALL electronic devices are not to be visible unless I instruct you to take them out for educational purposes. All cell phones,
iPods, iPads, tablets, etc., should be turned off or at the very least, on vibrate.

First Offense: Device will be confiscated and held until the end of the class period. This will be your first and only
warning from me.
Second Offense: Device will be confiscated and taken to the front office. Device must be picked up by parent
and/or guardian.
Third Offense: Device will be confiscated and taken to front office with administrative consequences.

NOTE: The teacher AND school assumes no liability for valuable electronic devices brought to school and are lost
and/or stolen. Multiple infractions may result in more severe consequences.

Teacher Website
My website is ALWAYS available and will always have class assignments and homework on it. Students can use the site as a
guide when they are absent. Parents, feel free to use the website and check on homework. I will also post announcements,

 Collins ELA 12 Syllabus
extra copies of handouts, and any addition information necessary to the success of your students progress in my class. The
teacher website can be accessed through EagleNet or at http://sites.google.com/a/student/dodea.edu/collinselaehs.

Important Information
Acceleration Withdrawal Dates
Sponsors transferring (PCS) to a new assignment within 20-school days of the end of a semester may request their student
received advanced assignments and tests so courses are accelerated. In accordance with DoDEA Regulation 2095.01,
School Attendance, August 26, 2011, the Principal may approve an accelerated withdrawal, but it may not take place
prior to the dates listed below and must attend the full school day prior to the withdrawal date. Acceleration dates for the
2015-2016 school year are as follows:

Semester 1: December 17, 2015

Semester 2: May 19, 2016

Acceleration withdrawal must be approved in advance by the principal. The parent or sponsor must present Permanent
Change of Station (PCS) orders at least 30 days in advance. If permission is granted, students and parents must
understand that a serious commitment of extra time and effort must be made to complete all advanced assignments, in
addition to regular assignments. Family vacations and/or holiday travel are not subject to acceleration withdrawal
procedures. If you have any additional questions about acceleration withdrawal requirements, please contact the front
office.

Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty of any kind is unacceptable and WILL NOT be tolerated. This applies to plagiarism (intentional or
unintentional), copying homework, collusion, or any other form of turning in work that is not entirely your own. For the
purposes of this class, collusion includes the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing academic
assignments. ALL WORK IN THIS CLASS IS TO BE DONE INDEPENDENTLY UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
OR APPROVED BY THE TEACHER. Collaborating or working together on assignments without my express
permission will be considered collusion. Any student found cheating , colluding or plagiarizing on a test, quiz, essay,
or other assignments, will receive an automatic zero and be subject to administrative discipline. During class
discussions, your contributions (be they comments or questions) must be focused, appropriate, clear and, when applicable,
supported with evidence.

Communication
It is extremely important to me to have open communication with students and parents in order to ensure student success.
Outside of class, the best method of communication with me is via email. Please feel free to email any questions or concerns
to ashlei.collins@pac.dodea.edu and allow me a reasonable time (up to 48 hours) to respond. Should parents wish to
discuss any concerns with me in person, parent conferences are available by appointment only. If you would like to make an
appointment for a conference, please call the front office at 226-4377.

Computer Usage During Class Time

Computers are available at school in the Information Center (IC) before school, during lunch, and after school (when
available). Students will also use school laptops during class time to complete assignments. Please make sure to read the
Computer and Internet Use Agreement section on p.47-48 of the student handbook. Remember, computer use at school
is a privilege, not a right. Any abuse of these privileges will result in disciplinary action and possible temporary or
permanent suspension of computer usage at school.

Dress Code
Please follow the schools Dress Code Policy by dressing appropriately. If I believe your attire is causing a disruption to the
educational environment, I will refer you to the front office. They will make a determination about how the situation will be
handled.

 Collins ELA 12 Syllabus
Tips for Success in Mrs. Collins English Class
Learn to organize your time. USE YOUR PLANNER!
Yes, you really have to read your book(s) to pass the class.
Take notes and annotate as you read.
Successful students read and RE-READ assigned readings.
Dont give up!
Listen and take careful notes in class and review them. Rewrite and reorganize your notes if necessary.
Be prepared to think and challenge yourself.
Learn to type proficiently.
Be motivate AND responsible.
Ask questions (pertaining to the information covered in class).
Come to me or go to tutoring if you need help. I cant help you if I dont know you need help.
Use a dictionary when you read. Look up words you dont know.
Be prepared to write, re-write, and RE-WRITE again.
Do you OWN work.
Set goals. Dont be swayed by those who dont have any.
Keep and organize all teacher handouts effectively.
When in doubt, check Google Drive and the teacher website, THEN ask me.

Teachers Right of Revision

Please be advised that Mrs. Collins reserves the right to make adjustments to this syllabus in the event of extenuating
circumstances as determined by her.

Edgren High School Student Handbook

In addition to this syllabus, please refer to the Edgren High School Handbook, which can be found on the school website,
https://sites.google.com/a/student.dodea.edu/edgren-eaglenet/home/student-parent-resources, or your students
personal handbook.

Field Trips
While ELA 12 is rigorous and the expectations are high, students are full expected to rise above these challenges and meet
or exceed said expectations. When this happens, the class is sometimes holistically rewarded. Rewards include, but are not
limited to educational outings within walking distance of Edgren High School. For this reason I am asking that all parents
fill out the following statement below:

I, ______________________ the parent of _____________________ give my permission for him/her to participate

in any walking field trips that may arise during the course of the 2015 2016 school year.

 Collins ELA 12 Syllabus
Robert D. Edgren High School
English 12 Syllabus

Please sign that you have read and agreed with the conditions stated on the attached syllabus and return to Mrs. Collins.
This syllabus must be printed and placed in the front of the students class binder.

We, the parent/guardian(s) and the student, have fully read and have a complete understanding of the course syllabus for
the 2015-2016 school year. This syllabus outlines the requirements and expectations as well as rules and policies that will
be followed. We agree with the course syllabus and will abide by all said rules, requirements, and policies.

________________________________________________ _______________________
Students Name Period

________________________________________________ _______________________
Students Signature Date

________________________________________________
Parent/Guardians Name

________________________________________________ _______________________
Parent/Guardians Signature Date

________________________________________________ _______________________
Parent/Guardians Email Best Contact Number

 Collins ELA 12 Syllabus
Robert D. Edgren High School
Instructional Film Consent Form

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

During the course of the 2015-2016 school year, I plan to show G, PG, or PG-13 rated movies in full or as excerpts to
enhance our classroom curriculum.

Our school requires parental permission for your son/daughter to view movies that are used in our curriculum which are
rated PG or PG-13.

This is a permission slip to allow your child to view all of the films/clips assigned in class or via Google Drive/teacher
website and the teachers discretion in reference to curriculum correlation.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ashlei Collins, M.Ed.

English Language Arts 12 Teacher

Detach along this line and return to Mrs. Collins.

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Instructional Film Consent Form
English Language Arts 12
2015 2016

_____ Yes, I give my son/daughter permission to view curriculum and school appropriate full-length movies/excerpts
rated G, PG, or PG-13.

_____ No, I do not give my son/daughter permission to view curriculum and school appropriate full-length
movies/excerpts. I understand alternative-learning experience/assignments will be provided for my child while the movie
is being watched.

Name of Student:_____________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature:_____________________________________

Period:_________________________ Date:___________________

 Collins ELA 12 Syllabus
Mrs. Collins English 12
Student Information Sheet
(Please print neatly)

Name:____________________________________ What should I call you?_____________________

Age:_______ Student Email (School Google Account): _______________________________________

Mailing Address: ___________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Seminar Teacher: ____________________________ Last years English Teacher: ________________

Last years English grade (letter or number): _________

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1. What is your favorite subject? _______________________________________________________

2. Do you have a computer at home? _____________________ Internet access:________________

3. Do you plan to attend college, enter the workforce, or enlist in the military? ______________________

Specifics? _____________________________________________________________________

4. Do you have a job? _______ If yes, how many hours a week do you work? _______

Where do you work? ______________________________________________________________

5. Are you engaged in any activities or sports this year? ______ (Note: Both inside and outside of school counts)
Please list them below.

Write one full paragraph to provide me with additional information about yourself. I would especially like to
know what you are looking forward to accomplishing in class this year; and/or I would like to know more about
you as a student, so that I might best address your academic needs. Use your best paragraph writing skills.