Eng1syl09

“What we become depends on what we read after all the professors have finished with us. The greatest university of all is the collection of books.” ~ Thomas Carlyle

What are Ms. Spillane’s goals for English I Honors students?

What supplies do students need for our class this year?

Buy supplies by Wednesday!

Can you describe AVID’s mission for students?

Lee Ann Spillane, Ed.S., NBCT Cypress Creek High School 1101 Bear Crossing Dr. Orlando, FL 32824 phone: cell: web page: email:

407.352.3400 ext. 2689 321.945.7984 http://www.laspillane.org [email protected]

My Goals for You I want you to become avid readers and confident writers in a nurturing environment that is interactive and dynamic. A place where we all can speak up and share our ideas and our writing. This requires daily commitment from each of us—achieving nearly perfect attendance; arriving with all supplies and completed homework assignments, engaging in class discussion; taking risks with assignments to go beyond what you have always done, and accepting responsibility for your own learning and growth. Materials Needed: • plastic dividers with pockets • 1 pack of clear plastic sheet protectors (25 count) • post it notes • notebook paper • blue/black ink pens • colored pencils • 1 box of Kleenex (last name A- I) • 1 package antibacterial Lysol wipes (last name J-O) • 1 package plain white copy paper (last name R-Z) • a Google account (free); we will set up in class • a Blogger.com account/blog for journal writing (free)

The mission of AVID is to ensure that ALL students: • succeed in rigorous curriculum • complete a rigourous college preparatory path • participate in extracurricular, service, and leader ship activities • enroll in four-year colleges • become educated and responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society

S Y L L A B U S

What is English I honors research?

What are students expected to do or learn?

Course Description English I Honors focuses on academic excellence in all the language arts: reading, writing, listening, viewing, speaking, computing and critical thinking through studies in literature and composition. The curriculum centers on young adult and world literature from a variety of genres and time periods. Students read and write daily both in class and at home. Aside from literature students will also study vocabulary, reading, writing and computer skills. Writing skills are taught from a process approach. Students receive hands-on, computer training in web 2.0 tools and a variety programs.

Objectives:  Read, understand, interpret and analyze texts from many genres.  Recognize and write in a variety of modes: narrative, expository and persuasive.  Discuss and write about a variety of texts.  Develop and sustain reading habits and personal reading preferences.  Employ the writing process.  Understand new vocabulary words both connotatively and denotatively.  Read and compose on demand (timed writings).  Employ strategies for answering test questions.  Create a significant body of personal writings in a writing portfolio that demonstrate writing development and “voice.”

ding Gra le Sca -100 0 A 9 -89 0 B 8 -79 0 C 7 -69 0 D 6 -50 9 F 5

Final grades are based on total points. You may check your grades on Progress Book at any time. If you have a question about a grade, please email me or write it down and put it in the red “Grades Questions” folder which is taped to the front of my desk. I will discuss individual grade questions or issues after school by appointment not during class time. Assignments will fall into the following categories

How will students be graded?

Classwork: Binder checks, team building, bellwork, vocabulary, quick writes and other in class assignments Writings & Projects: Timed writings, essays, research paper, digital projects, note taking and other written work Tests & Quizzes Biweekly vocabulary/reading quizzes, unit tests Homework Reading logs and other assignments. Extra Credit Will only be awarded to students who have completed all regular assignemnts and maintained a good attendance record (<10 absences per semester and <3 tardies)

Expectations

Be in Class Participation is an integral part of this class and something that cannot always be made up. Be here.

Behave Respectfully We have much more to learn this year than we have time for; this means that wasted time is lost knowledge.

Avoid Getting Detention A student may receive a detention for tardies, and for inappropriate behavior in class. Detention forms must be signed by parents/ guardians and returned before serving. Failure to report for detention will result in a loss of all extra credit points earned.

Come Prepared Always have your binder, journal, paper, pens, the appropriate books and a positive attitude. You will be graded on preparedness. Lack of materials should never hinder your participation in this class!

Keep Track of Your Assignments Use a planner. Subscribe to the class’s Google Calendar. Use the reminder feature on your cell phone. You need to develop a system to manage your time, and juggle all you want to accomplish both academically and socially.

Turn Your Work in On Time All assignments are due on time at the beginning of the period or when called for. Late homework is not be accepted. If you are absent, you may email assignments to me at your own risk, or turn them in upon your return. Major assignments may be turned in late for a penalty (10 points per day including weekends and holidays) only with parent conference/contact.

Be Honest I expect you to do your own work honestly and to do it to the best of your abilities. Presenting another’s work as your own is cheating even if you do not get caught. Cite your sources using MLA format when you use them and give credit where credit is due. Cheating may result in 3 in conduct, parent/teacher contact, an academic detention, loss of extra credit and or an administrative referral

Communicate I cannot read your mind. When you have a problem with anything in this class, or in your life that affects your schoolwork, talk to me, and I will do my best to listen, and to help in any way I can. I am always here early in the morning, and after school on most days.

Use Technology Responsibly You are expected to abide by the general accepted rules of network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following: · Be polite. Do not write or send abusive messages to others. · Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language. · Do not reveal your personal address, password or phone numbers of students or colleagues. · Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the authorities. · Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users (e.g., downloading huge files during prime time; sending mass e-mail messages; annoying other users with comments). · All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property.

Attendance for Academic Credit for Grades 9-12 (1) No student shall be awarded a credit unless the student has been in attendance for instruction for a minimum of 135 hours. The 135 hours required for attendance for instruction corresponds to twenty (20) absences in a school year or ten (10) absences for each semester. The principal may provide a student who has been in attendance less than 135 hours an opportunity to receive credit by demonstrating mastery of the student performance standards in that course of study. (2) Excused absences shall be considered, on an hour per hour basis, as a part of the 135 minimum hours of classroom instruction. The principal is authorized to accept the following reasons for absence(s) of a student: a. Illness, injury or other insurmountable condition; b. Illness or death of a member of the student’s immediate family; c. Recognized (or established) religious holidays and religious instruction; d. Medical appointments; e. Participate in an approved activity or class of instruction held at another school site; f. Prearranged absences of educational value with the principal’s prior approval g. Head lice infestation (up to four (4) days during the school year); h. Catastrophic disasters that significantly impact the life of the student (loss of residence from natural disaster). (3) Academic instruction missed by the student shall be made up in an acceptable manner in accordance with the district pupil progression plan. (number of days absent + 1) It is the responsibility of the student to retrieve any work missed during an absence from the teacher. (4) Students may make up work missed during a suspension within a time limit established by the school principal. Attendance Laws: Florida Statutes 1001.41, 1003.21, 1003.24, 1003.436 The Bottom line: No matter what your grade point average at the end of a semester or year per class, if you have more than 10 absences in a half credit course or 20 absences in a full credit course, you MUST pass the Mid-Term or Final Exam with a 70% or you will not receive credit for the course.

All absences will be marked as unexcused until a written note is received from the parent within 48 hours of returning to school. Any questions regarding the attendance policy should be directed to the attendance office (407) 852-2283.

AVID English I Honors Curriculum Though flexible and subject to change, below is a snapshot of what we will study this year. In addition to the anchor texts students will also read a wide variety of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction.

Guiding Questions & Themes

Standards & Skills from OCPS order of instruction

2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 1st Quarter How does literature help us better understand ourselves? Who am I? Where How does who I am What matters to have I been? Where affect what I can me? How do my am I going? do? Examining decisions affect my life? Looking Analyzing Journeys Justice: Is it for in Literature all? Choices & Consequences in Fiction & Nonfiction Fluency Fluency Fluency Vocabulary Vocabulary Vocabulary Reading Reading Reading Comprehension Comprehension Comprehension

4th Quarter What defines me? Re-examining Self & Community Identity

Fluency Vocabulary Reading Comprehension

Literary Analysis: Fiction & Nonfiction Writing Process Communication Listening & Speaking

Literary Analysis: Fiction & Nonfiction Writing Process Information & Media Literacy Research Process Technology

Literary Analysis: Fiction & Nonfiction Writing Process

Literary Analysis: Fiction & Nonfiction Writing Process

Firestorm, Klass (summer reading) Touching Spirit Bear, Mikaelson Excerpts from The Oddyssey Greek Myth Excerpts from The Bible

Getting Away with Murder, Chris Crowe Lay that Trumpet in Our Hands, Susan McCarthy

Anthem, Ayn Rand Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare

Bronx Masquerade, Nikki Grimes

Writings & Projects

Letter of Introduction (Portfolio) What Do Good Readers Do? essay Memory Narrative writing, Flashback Autobiographical Writing (Portfolio), Various timed writing prompts

What Do Good Writers Do? essay Effective Writing Sort Biography/Research writing Crime Report Thanksgiving Writing Various timed writing prompts

On-going Assignments

Bellwork: Silent Sustained Reading, Weekly Reading Log, Weekly Journal Writing, Weekly progress reports, Bimonthly vocabulary quizzes, CCHS Writing Portfolio, Independent Study Points

Anchor Texts

Literature circles: Son of the Mob, Gordon Korman Rommiette & Julio, Sharon Draper Scribbler of Dreams, Pearson If You come Softly, Jacquelyn Woodson Independent Reading Essays Poetic Connections Essays Golden Lines Digital Story presentation, Various timed writing prompts

What’s in a Name? (portfolio) Poetry portfolio AVID videos Participate in classroom (or school-wide) Poetry Slam Various timed writing prompts

What are the consequences for being tardy?

House A Rules 1. Come to class on time. You must be INSIDE the door, IN your seat with your book out reading when the bell stops ringing to be considered on time. (DETENTION FOR 1ST TARDY, REFERRAL FOR 2nd) 2. Attend to personal needs before coming to class.

How are students expected to behave in class?

How is cheating punished?

What items are prohibited on campus?

3. Bring required materials every day unless you are otherwise directed. 4. Talk only when permitted. Be aware of the situation since quiet talking is allowed in some situations and speaking to the entire group without raising your hand may be allowed in others. I will remind you once and expect compliance. 5. Cheating will not be tolerated. Students caught cheating will receive a zero and a phone call home. Both the student who shares his/her work for an independent assignment AND the person copying will suffer the same consequences. I expect you to do your OWN work and be sure no one can copy it. 6. Follow the teacher’s directions immediately when entering classroom. Student Code of Conduct will be enforced in classroom. 7. ALL electronic devices in use for noninstructional purposes will be confiscated IMMEDIATELY. 8. NO HATS ALLOWED ON CAMPUS

What is the policy regarding late work?

9. NO LATE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR A GRADE. Only excused absences will receive credit. 10. RESPECT will be given by teachers and students at all times in and out of classes.

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We have read the syllabus for English I Honors. We agree to uphold House A’s rules and to live up to Mrs. Spillane’s expectations to the best of our abilities. _______________________________________________________________________ Print student name Student’s signature date

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Print parent name

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