Information and Rules English 9 Mrs. Kelly Durkin
Welcome
to
The literary focus
this year is world literature, which means that we will be reading selections
from a variety of countries and cultures throughout the world. In this class we will read a number of the
classics--The Odyssey, Romeo and Juliet,, Les Miserables,
Animal Farm, Anthem—as well as several more contemporary works. Our literature study will include fiction
(short stories and novels), non-fiction, drama, and poetry. Although we will read a number of works as a
class, we will also have some opportunity for self-selection of works as well.
In addition to
literature, we will also study grammar (with special attention to the
objectives which will be included on the Alabama Graduation Exam, which you
will take for the first time in March of your sophomore year), composition, and
oral communication. You will write a number of compositions including literary
analysis and personal essays (a major family stories project). You will have several opportunities to
develop your speaking skills in giving both formal and informal presentations
to the class. You will also develop and
present many creative projects related to the literature that we will
study. Critical thinking skills and
vocabulary development are important as well, and we will work on both of these
throughout the year.
For this to be a
successful year for all of us, there are a few things that I’d like to
emphasize so that you will know what my expectations are.
(1)
The
word respect is very important to me. I expect you to treat your classmates and me
with respect at all times. I will not
tolerate rudeness toward me or toward others in the class.
(2) You are expected to be in the classroom and
in your assigned seat when the bell rings.
If you enter the classroom after the bell rings, you must sign the tardy
sheet. Beginning with your third tardy,
you will receive detention hall. Refer
to the student handbook for the tardy
policy. If you miss a quiz due to a
tardy, you will receive a 0.
(3) If you have unexcused absences, you will
receive a 0 for any work, including tests, which you miss. According to the student handbook, excused
absences include “personal illnesses, emergencies, death in the immediate
family, court subpoena, board approved religious holidays, legal quarantine and
school sponsored functions. All other
absences will be counted as unexcused.”
(4) As the handbook states, students “are
expected to make up work the day they return from an absence.” If I have made an assignment before you are
absent, you will be expected to be prepared on the day that you return with the
work required for that day as well as for any days that you missed. (In the case of a lengthy illness, of course,
I will make special exceptions. If you
or your parents will contact me if you are absent for more than one day, I will
send your assignments to the front desk in the main office.) Any major test that is not made up within
five class days after the absence will be counted as a “0.” It is your responsibility to make
arrangements with me to stay after or before school.
(5) Talking in class when I or someone else is
talking is unacceptable behavior. When I
turn off the lights, all students should stop talking. If this persists, you will receive a discipline
referral.
(6) Students are expected to use appropriate
language in class at all times.
Profanity and/or other vulgar language will not be tolerated.
(7) Each
student is expected to come prepared to class each day with his/her book,
notebook, workbook, homework, paper, pencil, etc. Students should not work on homework for
another class or write personal notes in class.
I will take up any homework or personal notes and keep them until the
end of the day.
(8) Homework
assignments will be written on the board at the beginning of each week. Deadlines for projects and other major
assignments will also be posted on the board.
(9) If a student needs to use the bathroom
pass, he/she must sign out. This is for
emergencies only. If medical reasons
exist, please bring a note signed from a parent. You have 3 free bathroom
passes per nine weeks.
(10)
The academic
dishonesty policy of the handbook will
be strictly enforced.
(12)
Students with excessive absences will receive an FX (failure due to absences)
for the course. Students may make up
some of these absences by participating in the
AAA program.
(13)
Please read
in the handbook carefully regarding the A.J.H.S. dress code.
In
this class you will work with your classmates in various ways—cooperative
learning groups, pair work, informal discussions, etc. I expect each student to do his/her share of
work in all group assignments. I will
try to structure group work in such a way that “deadwood” will not be
rewarded. I will also try to monitor
groups as closely as possible to detect any “slackers.” However, if you are in a group when one or
more group member(s) is not prepared or cooperative, please let me know
immediately. Learning to work with
others is a “life skill” which you need to develop, but I do not want to give
credit to anyone for work that he/she does not deserve.
I encourage you to talk with me before
school or during conference time if you have any major questions regarding
your grade on a test or an essay. I do
not have time during class to give each student a detailed critique of grading
on essays and essay questions, but I want to explain to you how I deduct
points. If I have made an error on an
objective question (deducted points for an answer that is clearly the correct
answer), I can make that change after we have gone over the test in class. I will not discuss deductions for essay
questions or compositions during class time.
I do use a rubric in grading essays, which will give you some indication
of how I evaluated your essay; however, in many cases it would be helpful to
you for us to have a short essay conference so that I can explain this process
in more detail. I have found that a
number of students have problems understanding how their essays are evaluated,
and I welcome the opportunity to explain this to you and to help you improve
your writing skills. My class is set up on the points possible system. Major
tests, essays and projects will be 100-200 points, quizzes will be 30-50 points
and classwork and homework will be 5-25 points.
There
are certain expectations that I have of you as we begin the year. I expect you to be totally prepared every
day. I expect you to improve your
reading and composition skills. Most of
all, I expect you to be enthusiastic about the things that we will be doing in
this class. With your cooperation, this
can be a very enjoyable year for all of us.
STUDENTS AND
PARENTS: Please sign below to indicate that you have
read this letter. Please return it to
class tomorrow.
______________________________________________________________
Student
Parent