“I express to my students that reading is not an add-on to the class. It is the cornerstone.”
The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller (p. 50)
I hope that students find this class to be one that teaches my students written and verbal communication skills, helps them to think analytically, helps them to work as a positive teammate, and encourages them to grow as a person, a life-long learner, and as a life-long reader.
Curriculum
World Literature
Possible novels we will study include:
Possible novels we will study include:
We will also cover other works of poetry, art, short stories, and short plays.
*There is more of an emphasis on teaching English skills rather than teaching novels.
*Alternative novels can be provided upon request.
*There is more of an emphasis on teaching English skills rather than teaching novels.
*Alternative novels can be provided upon request.
Grading
- Grades will be updated in a timely manner.
- Before immediately emailing the teacher with questions regarding specific grade questions, each parent/guardian should consult with his/her child for clarification.
- Major Grades = 45%
- Minor Grades = 55%
Homework and Class Participation
- “Homework / Class Participation” counts as a major grade.
- Each person will begin each quarter with a 100% in the “Homework / Class Participation” category.
- Each missing assignment will cause a 4-point deduction in the category.
- Late homework will not be accepted on minor assignments.
- Ten points per day will be deleted for late papers/presentations.
- Class Participation comes from “meeting the spirit” of class assignments (during small group discussions/activities, and free-choice reading), not from who talks the most.
Warm-up activities
- Failure to complete the grammar / warm-up assignments will result in deductions in the student’s “Homework / Class Participation” grade.
Writings
- I will assign various types of writings this year. They will usually have at least three days to complete the assignment and for most papers, there will be class time dedicated to planning/writing.
- Writings will be consistent through the semester, but they will be shorter and focus on quality that will be translated to longer writings later.
Projects and Presentations
- There will be several presentations throughout the semester so that their public speaking skills improve.
- Some projects may be group assignments.
- If they get a group assignment, they may have the option of doing an alternative individual assignment.
- All group assignments can be presented in the classroom; however, many choose to do videos which requires a lot of out-of-school coordination.
Class Website
- All of my rubrics will be posted on this website.
- Students are expected check with this site for due dates.
- If a student is absent, he/she is expected to use this website to keep up with assignments.
- Student rubrics will be posted on my website in the “Rubrics" section.
Please feel free to contact me: [email protected]
- I usually check my email 2-3 times each day at school. I usually do not check email from home.
- Please keep in mind that depending on what is going on in class and extra-duty responsibilities that I may have to fulfill, I may not be able to respond to your email within a matter of hours after it is sent.
- I will respond in a timely manner.