Dear Parents:

 

Welcome to English 10!  We will be doing some exciting work this year in room 809 and we want you to feel like you are part of our classroom.

 

Your son/daughter will be using two textbooks this year: Elements of Literature (Fifth Course) and Elements of Writing (Fourth Course).  Speech is no longer a separate course at AHS, and the students will continue to practice the public speaking skills they learned in English 9.

 

Our study of English skills will be reinforced through your child’s own writing; each student will keep a writing folder which will be sent home for your review periodically.

 

Students should have the following materials for class:

 

  1. A notebook for notes and class assignments.  Three-ring binders are preferable since we give an abundance of handouts, photocopies, and worksheets.  This notebook may be shared with other classes.

 

  1. A single-subject, spiral-bound notebook (or composition book) to be used as a journal.

 

  1. Loose-leaf paper.

 

  1. Plenty of blue or black pens.

 

Grading will conform to the English Department standard, which is a points-based system.  Students will know the point value and category when an assignment is given.

 

Your child is aware of my classroom discipline policies.  I don’t foresee any problems this year that can’t be resolved by following the AHS Student Handbook.

 

We will cover the following material:

 

 

Grammar:           Review Graduation Exam objectives

                                Mini-lessons and examples in weak areas

                                Preparation for the Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing

 

Literature:           The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Edith Hamilton’s Mythology

Of Mice and Men

The Monument (and monument building activity, if time permits)

American literature (prior to 1900)

Two self-selected novels

Assorted poems

 

Composition:       Diagnostic essay

                                Essays (persuasive, expository, narrative)

                                Creative writing

                                Mini Research Paper

 

 

 

 

 

Optional novels, if time permits, are Huckleberry Finn, A Separate Peace, and The Old Man and the Sea.

       

I am always available if you or your child needs to talk to me.  My planning period is 7:50-9:20 every day; the school phone number is 887-4970.  The best way to reach me is via email at jpennisi@auburnschools.org.

 

I want to encourage you to visit our classroom to share our learning.  You may receive a formal invitation later, but we want you to feel free to visit anytime.  No appointment necessary—just stop by the office for a Visitor’s Pass!

 

Please feel free to offer any suggestions or comments to me.  I am constantly growing as a professional and welcome your input.

 

 

Cordially,

 

 

 

John Pennisi











Classroom Policies

English 10

Pennisi

 

 

English 10 is a term course in grammar, writing, speech, and literature.  All rules and policies of Auburn High School as published in the AHS Student Handbook are observed in this class.  In addition, the following classroom policies will be observed.

 

 

  1. Grades are based on a points system.  In general, major tests are worth 100 points, essays are worth either 50 or 100 points, homework and classwork are worth 5-50 points, and projects are worth 50-100 points.

 

  1. Penalties for late work on MAJOR assignments (more than 50 points) are 20% per day.  No late work is accepted on shorter assignments.

 

  1. Please read what the Student Handbook says about absences.  You cannot make up any work due to an unexcused absence, and you will receive zeros.  For excused absences, see us before or after class for your missed assignments.  Remember that all assignments are on the weekly schedule, and the weekly schedule is also posted on the web site.  You have one week to turn in any makeup work.

 

  1. Every week, you will have the opportunity to earn 50 Weekly Performance Points.  You will lose points for disruptive behavior, sleeping in class, needing to be reminded about class rules and procedures, tardiness, unexcused absences, excused absences (unless you complete a special makeup assignment in addition to the other makeup work), and excessive restroom passes. You can also earn Weekly Performance points by showing excellence in participation and effort.

 

  1. You should leave the room for bathroom emergencies only. You must ask permission and sign out when leaving the room.

 

  1. You are expected to respect your peers.

 

  1. We will follow all rules as published in the AHS Student Handbook.