Course Content: This course is designed for freshmen, sophomores and juniors to strengthen targeted reading and writing skills. Students are placed into this class when assessments show a need for improvement in referring to details in a passage, drawing conclusions, making comparisons and generalizations, punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, and writing strategy, organization and style. Students will be able to better understand written material from different school subjects, and effectively prove that understanding through improved writing skills.

Course Requirements: Throughout the duration of this course, students will be expected to be attentive, active participants in class. Periodic journal assignments may be given. Students will need a spiral, lined notebook for journal writing, note taking, and daily grammar practice. These journals/notebooks will be collected and graded weekly. Students are required to come to class with all necessary materials each day (pencil/pen, books, homework assignment, journal notebook, agenda). Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action and/or a loss of classroom points.

Assignments and Late Work: Students may be assigned homework on occasion. Unless otherwise specified, assignments are due at the beginning of class the next day. Time will be given in class to work on homework assignments, and it is expected that students use this time. Failure to complete a job is not acceptable in the working world and will not be acceptable in this classroom. If students are absent on the day of a test or quiz, they should be prepared to take that test or quiz the next day.

Attendance: Regular attendance is crucial to the learning process. Students are expected to attend class daily. Seven or more absences may result in loss of credit. (See the Attendance Policy in the Student Handbook). When students are absent, they have two days for each day they are absent to make up any work that they missed. Tests or quizzes that are missed during an absence can only be made up before or after school. When students are absent, it is their responsibility to find out what work they missed and to turn it in. Students may ask me for their assignments, but I will not approach students about them.

In addition, tardiness will not be tolerated. Each tardy beyond the first will earn the student a detention. For each tardy after the fourth, the student will be counted absent for that class period.

Computer Use: Students will be using computers frequently to access ACT test prep and practice web sites. All students have signed an Acceptable Use Policy, and are expected to follow this policy while using the school computers. Students found to be in violation of this policy (accessing e-mail, playing games, updating playlists, on social networking sites, etc.) may be at risk of losing their computer privileges.

Grading System: Points will be given to students for each completed assignment. Point totals will vary depending on difficulty of the assignment and amount of preparation required. Computer tabulated grades will be posted on a weekly basis. In computing trimester grades, the classroom grade will count as 80%. The remaining 20% will be the final exam grade. The grading scale is as follows:

A 100% - 94% C 76% - 74%

A- 93% - 90% C- 73% - 70%

B+ 89% - 87% D+ 69% - 67%

B 86% - 84% D 66% - 64%

B- 83% - 80% D- 63% - 60%

C+ 79% - 77% F 59% - 0%

1. Show respect for me, for yourself, for your classmates, and for the classroom.
2. All of the rules stated in the student handbook apply in this room.
3. Be in your assigned seat ready to learn when the class begins.
4. Bring necessary materials to class every day (book, notebook, pen/pencil, agenda, completed homework assignment).
5. No food or beverage is permitted in the classroom except water.
6. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak
7. Keep your hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
8. Keep your negative thoughts to yourself.
9. Remain on-task at all times.
10. No flying objects. All of you have legs or wheels; use them.

Positives: To reward students who follow the rules, I will recognize appropriate behavior with praise, unguided journals, and special privileges.

 

Consequences: Failure to comply with the rules outlined above will result in disciplinary action ranging from time after class/detentions to an administrative referral, depending on the number of offenses and the severity of the offense.

 

Hall Passes: Students are given two hall passes per class, per trimester. These passes will be written in the student’s agenda. Have your agenda with you at all times! If you have used both of your passes, or do not have your agenda, a pass will be issued for emergencies, but you will be issued a tardy.