English Language Arts

2018-2019

Who is Mr. T?

My name is Tom Ta and I am an English Language Arts (ELA) teacher. I am better known as Mr.
T, so feel free to call me that or Mr. Ta (pronounced Tah). I was born in Vietnam, but was raised as a true
New Mexican in New Mexico. I can speak 4.5 different languages (English, Vietnamese, Japanese,
Korean, and a bit of Spanish), which makes me very international. I have a BA in English and an MA in
Educational Linguistic, both of which were earned at the University of New Mexico. I got his provisional
teaching license in the summer of 2016 and have been working as a substitute teacher since then.

Mission Statement

Many students struggle with English Language Arts in a number of ways. Some students may
find writing and/or reading tedious and boring, while others may struggle with these skills. However,
they don't have to be boring or difficult, it is my personal mission to make learning English Language Arts
a fun and engaging experience for all students, regardless of where they are at. I aspire to help my
students discover the joy of reading and writing, because these skills exist so art can be created and
interpreted with words. It just so happens that it also helps the student in life.

As for my class, it is a student-centered environment, which means students are the stars of the
show, you can expect a lot of group work, partnered assignment, and student-led discussion. I see
myself as a facilitator of learning and not a lecturer. My class will teach me and their peers through the
knowledge they bring to class!

Responsibilities

In order for me to succeed my mission to help all students accomplish their academic goals, it is
important for both the student and their parents to understand that students' success is not solely my
responsibility, but also the school's, the parents', the class', and most importantly, the student
themselves. For my class, I encourage parents to communicate with me and update themselves on their
student's progress at school.

It is through a communal effort that students' success will happen. If you put in effort to help
your student succeed, I will put in 110% of effort to fulfill my promise.

Contact

 Email: tomta@gmail.com
- - This is the best way for you to reach me. I check my email hourly and will able to get back to
you quickly.
 Phone: 505-710-1930
- - If you need to get a hold of me right away, please use this number. If I don’t pick up right
away, leave me a message and I will get back to you.
Rules & Procedures

Student Rules

 Finish your food and drinks before you enter the class.
 Cellphone always have to be in your pouch.
 On a count of 5, finish talking to your classmate, class must be silent on zero.
 Raise your hand when you would like to speak.
 Come to class prepared!
 Sit in your assigned seat
 No makeup in class

Roles: roles are redistributed every month

 2 paper aides: help the teacher hand out or to collect papers

 1 class leader: helps classmates keep track of any information they might miss or to help remind
them of important due dates

Going to the bathroom

1. Tell the teacher

2. Write your name on the dry erase board next to the door
3. Grab one of the wooden ruler, that is your hall pass
4. Only 2 hall passes are available

Call Signs: these are used to make sure the class stays focused and on task

 Countdown: when the teacher begins the countdown, the students have 5 seconds to finish
their sentence
 Thumbs up: every once in a while, during a lesson, the teacher will put one of his thumbs up,
the last student to raise their thumb will have to do 3 pushups or 6 jumping jacks, pay attention!
 Volume Control: when the teacher holds a black remote control, he will move it down slowly,
students must lower their voice accordingly
Class Start Procedure

1. Turn in homework in the shelf next to the door; make sure it has the name, date, and period
2. Put your phone in the pouch
3. If there are paper on the white table, pick it up
4. Do the bell ringer

During Class Procedure

1. Only paper aides can get up during the time when papers are being collected or handed out,
stay in your seat!
2. Always have your books out on the table so you are prepared
3. If you finish early, ask the teacher for a chromebook from the cabinet and work on your
semester project

Class End Procedure

1. Class ends when the bell rings, not 10 minutes before

2. I will tell you when you can start packing up
3. Turn in your exit slip when you leave, you have to have something written

Reward

Students will be given points for good behavior and avoiding bad behaviors. Upon collecting 5 points,
student can listen to music quietly for a day in class.

Punishment: all behaviors have consequences, below is a sequence from minor to serious

1. Student will receive verbal warning

2. Student will meet with the teacher outside of class
3. Student’s parents/guardians will be contacted
4. Students will have to talk to the administration
Curriculum

Grade Partition

Presentations 30%
Group Projects 25%
Essays 20%
Quizzes 10%
Daily Participation 5%
Homework 5%

Grading Scale

A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 59 and below

Late Assignments: Any assignments that are turned in after the due date will lose 10% per day late. If an
assignment is 5-days late, it will not be accepted. Please turn them in on time and get the score you
deserve!

Sample Curriculum Map

Modules Time Books

Module A: American Romanticism 7-8 weeks  Sample book 1 by author 1

(Fiction and nonfiction)  Sample book 2 by author 2
 Sample book 3 by author 3
Essential Question: sample question
here

Module B: War and conflict 7-8 weeks  Sample book 1 by author 1

(Fiction and nonfiction)  Sample book 2 by author 2
 Sample book 3 by author 3
Essential Question: sample question
here

Module C: Realism and Naturalism 6 weeks  Sample book 1 by author 1

(Fiction)  Sample book 2 by author 2
 Sample book 3 by author 3
Essential Question: sample question
here
 Agreement Form

Students, please read the syllabus carefully and write your initials in the blank spaces and sign your
name at the end. When you sign this, you confirm with me that you will follow the class’s rules and
procedures and understand what you have to do to succeed in my class.

I __________ acknowledge that I have received, read, and understand the syllabus for Mr. T’s class.

Signature: _________________ Date: _________________

Parents or guardians, please read the syllabus carefully and write your initials in the blank spaces and
sign your name at the end. This form is for me to make sure that you have read the syllabus and provide
me with ways, through which I can contact you and work together with you to help your student
succeed in my class.

I __________ acknowledge that I have received, read, and went over the syllabus for Mr. T’s class with
my child.

The best way for you to reach me is through (circle one): Phone call / Text / Email

You may contact me to make sure the communication method work (circle one): Yes / No

I would like to enroll in the homework/project alert system (circle one): Yes / No

I prefer for the reminder to be (circle one): Phone call / Text / Email

Phone: _________________________

Email: __________________________

Signature: _________________ Date: _________________