Adv Comp 2009-2010

H. Advanced Composition 2009-2010 Mrs. Paige Lahaise e-mail: [email protected]

class website: http://www.lahaiseslair.com

Course Overview Welcome to Honors Advanced Composition! I hope to make this year a rewarding experience for all of us. The success of the class hinges on your cooperation, so I hope you will approach the class as an opportunity to grow both personally and academically by challenging yourself and energetically engaging in the reading and writing we will do. My goal is to make you better critical thinkers, active readers, skilled writers, effective communicators, life-long learners, and savvy technology users—attributes that will help you to succeed in whatever endeavors you undertake. The English 12 curriculum is standards-based, focusing on teaching students the skills and strategies outlined in the California English Language Arts Standards (grades 11-12). The class incorporates a workshop style environment that immerses students in reading and writing, offering a balance of teacher- and student-selected texts and writing topics. Students read a balance of classic and contemporary texts, fiction and nonfiction. Rather than the traditional lecture format, students learn new skills and strategies through mini-lessons in writing, reading, speaking and listening, research, technology, and collaboration. Students then have opportunities to practice these skills in group and individual settings and to undertake projects that allow them to create real-world products that encourage problem-solving and higher levels of thinking. Research has shown that students learn more deeply in this type of environment and are better able to transfer their learning to new situations.

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Basic Classroom Rules Show Show Show Show

respect. responsibility. self-control. honesty.

Following the rules and expending effort in this class will result in a successful learning experience. However, the negative consequences of breaking the rules are listed, but not limited to: 1. Student/teacher conference, 2. Phone call to parent/legal guardian, 3. Referral to the administration.

Needed Supplies 3-ring binder with tab dividers and loose leaf paper Pen or pencil Highlighters (green, yellow, pink) Sticky notes Flash drive (This is not required but will be very helpful in saving all your computer work and transporting between school and home. We will be doing several multi-media projects, which can be difficult to save on disks because of their large file sizes.) If you have a laptop or netbook computer, feel free to bring it. You may leave it in my locked cabinet during the day and pick it up at the end of school. A small daily planner would also be helpful.

Classroom Procedures Bring everything you need for class, and be prepared to learn. You need your Independent Reading material and three-ring binder with you EVERY day. Enter the room quietly and on time. Begin working immediately on the daily journal assignment. Daily, write assignments in planner. Follow directions and participate in class. When working in groups, work quietly and productively. When transitioning from one activity to another, do so quickly and quietly without disrupting other learners. Remain in seat until dismissed by teacher. Leave room in the same condition (or better) you found it!

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Homework Policy Completing assignments is crucial not only for students to master learning objectives but also for students to experience academic success and score a passing grade; therefore, I maintain a ZERO TOLERANCE homework policy, which requires students to complete ALL work assigned. If a student fails to complete a homework assignment, the student will have an opportunity to turn in the assignment within one week of the due date for a 50% grade reduction. I will not accept late assignments after one week. If a student repeatedly fails to complete assignments, I will request a conference with the parent to discuss ways we can work together to help the student succeed in completing assignments.

Make-Up Work/Tests I adhere to LAUSD policy on make-up work. After an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to make up all work missed. Students may access all homework and missed assignments on the class website. Homework must be completed and turned in within two class days following the student’s return to school. School policy states that students will not receive credit for unexcused absences. Note, however, that because I have a zero tolerance homework policy, I still require students to complete the work, even though they will not receive credit for doing so. A missed vocabulary test may only be made-up Wednesday’s during nutrition. This prevents students from missing valuable instruction in class and getting further behind.

Plagiarism Every year I am amazed at how many students try getting around the Turnitin.com system of catching plagiarism. Is it really worth getting a zero on the assignment, possibly failing the class, losing ALL my trust, and your parents getting a phone call from me? The bottom line is this: I know there are a few cheaters that fall through the cracks and get away with it; the vast majority though are caught and the repercussions can be devastating. I HAVE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY WHEN IT COMES TO PLAGIARISM OR CHEATING. EVEN ONE LINE IN AN ESSAY THAT ISN’T YOURS, OR TAKING ANOTHER’S IDEA AND PRETENDING IT IS YOUR OWN, AND ISN’T QUOTED AND CITED MEANS THE ENTIRE ESSAY RECIEVES A ZERO!

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Assessment The course uses a system of assessment that evaluates students throughout the learning-throughout a variety of activities and projects—and encourages students to revise and polish their work. Grades will be calculated as follows: 30%

Reading/Writing & Classwork

Reading journals Daily journals SSR Fat Paragraph Active Participation in Literature Circles

10%

SSR

Your participation in daily SSR

10%

Quizzes & Homework

Weekly vocabulary test Daily Homework

10%

Class contribution

Do you make the class better?

40%

Special Projects

Essays Blogs (weekly reader; connective reading/writing; application review) Autobiography

A in the class = 90-100% B in the class = 80-89% C in the class = 70-79% D in the class = 60-69% Anything under 60% will receive a Fail in the class.

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