Sophs Per 6

How we agree to demonstrate respect to each other and the classroom:

To help each other with our work.
Listen to everyone’s ideas and opportunity to speak.
When someone is speaking or presenting, quietly listen.
If we don’t get an answer “right,” then support each other – provide help and encouragement.
Keep space clean and organized.

What we expect of Ms. Weeks in demonstrating respect to us:

Treat us like the high school-ers and young adults we are
Include group and collaborative work
Respect our various learning styles
Answer our questions and help us ask meaningful questions
Play music
Don’t embarrass us or put us in the panic zone
Don’t speak too fast

I am delighted to welcome you to Sophomore English! I look forward to getting to know and working with each and every one of you. We will be working very hard this year, grappling with some large questions about who we are, how we define ourselves, and what it means to be human. We also will read and respond to rich literature and texts, while also further developing our writing practice. At the end of the year, I hope that you will feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in the work you have produced and the insight you have gained.

Classroom Texts

The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
Macbeth, by William Shakespeare
Night, by Elie Wiesel
Poetry
Short stories
Books of your choosing

As we read these texts, we analyze and discuss how they help us explore and begin to answer the following essential questions:

In what ways does experience inform identity?
How can we understand the relationship between the individual and society?
What does literature add to our understanding about ourselves and our world?
What composition skills are necessary to be an effective 21st century communicator?

Materials for Success

Composition notebook and folder for this class only *Required
Laptop/tablet device
Post-it notes for taking notes as you read

Course Expectations & Classroom Policies

My basic guideline for the classroom is RESPECT. We will define what respect means to us as a class over the coming days, but you should always conduct yourself in a manner that shows respect for your teacher, your peers, the classroom, and yourself. The following guidelines are a demonstration of your respect toward the class:

Arriving to class on time with your composition notebook, folder, text, and pen/pencil on the desk so that you are ready to work when the bell rings. This also means that you take care of any bathroom breaks, drinks of water, and other personal necessities before the bell rings.
Technology is a part of our everyday lives, and we will use your devices during class. However, when not in use as part of instruction, put them away. A warning will be issued for any off task behavior. If the behavior persists, I will take the device. Please refer to the student handbook regarding the school’s policy.
Homework and assignments are due the day they are due. I do not assign frivolous work and will not assign homework each and every night. Because we use many assignments as the basis for our future class work and discussions, assignments are due when they are due.

For some assignments late work is accepted with the following penalties: 5% turned in after deadline but by the end of the same day; 10% turned in the following day; 20% turned in the second day; 30% turned in the third day, and no late work accepted after the third day.
For assignments used as the basis for that class’s use (discussion questions, brainstorms, outlines, etc) a completion grade is generally the rule. Have it and complete=100% Missing=0%

I am not unreasonable. If you think you are going to miss a deadline, see me beforehand. We will review your particular situation and come up with an appropriate plan of action if I believe the circumstances warrant a change from the original assignment.

If you are absent or tardy, it is your responsibility to follow up with the missed work and assignments. Check the website. If you know you are going to be absent or tardy for a field trip or other reason, see me beforehand to make arrangements for missed work. “I was out” is not an acceptable excuse. This also applies to assignment due dates. Assignments are due whether you are here or not. Any in class assessments such as reading checks or in-class responses must be made up the day you return to school unless other arrangements are made. It is your responsibility to check periodically in Powerschool to see if there are any missed assignments; I will not track you down to remind you of missing work.

Grading & Gradebook

All assignment grades are out of 100 points and are weighted depending on the amount of time and effort necessary to meet the assignment’s requirements. Weights will range from 1 to 4:

≤ 1 = homework checks, short classroom assignments
2 = quizzes, longer homework, discussions, writing responses
3 = tests, presentations
4-5 = formal papers and major projects

Semester Grading
Q1=42.5%
Q2=42.5%
Exam: 15%

I make every effort to keep the online grade book as up to date as possible, and most assignment grades are generally entered before the 2-week window. Long term/larger assignments (essays and projects) may take longer to grade. However, a check will be entered for collected work and 0s for work that is missing. Grades with the small ‘c’ symbol mean there is a comment regarding the grade.

Academic Honesty
I expect that all writing be from your point of view and in your unique voice. I want to hear what you have to say. If you submit work that is partially or wholly not your own (copied from the web or classmate, written by a friend, uncredited source, etc.), you will receive a grade of 0 for the assignment with no opportunity to make up the assignment. This includes submitting work from another course. This is a zero tolerance policy.

Portfolios
As a sophomore, you create a writing portfolio of your work that is assessed by a team of tenth grade teachers at the end of the year. Your portfolio consists of different types of essays that show growth and development as a writer. We will use google docs, so all of your work should be saved.

Planning periods and appointments: I highly encourage you to come see me during my preps and before and after school if you have questions about assignments or need additional help. In most cases, I can be found in the classroom or the English Office. You can always use Remind to see where I am.

Chat on Remind: I will do my best to respond to you as promptly as possible. Use this feature only for urgent questions.

Like this: