Welcome to English I

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Welcome toEnglish I

• Mrs. Drake
• Room 400
• Classroom website ltmrsdrakesclassroom.pbworks.comgt
  
• Email ddrake_at_charleston.k12.il.us
• Voice Mail Mrs. Drake [phone]

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Course Description

• This course will emphasize the study of
  literature as well as the study of grammar usage
  and the writing process.
• First semester, students will study excerpts from
  Homers epic poem, The Odyssey as well as a
  Non-fiction unit.
• Second semester, students will study select short
  stories and two novels including Dandelion Wine
  and A Separate Peace.
• One full-length, fiction or non-fiction work
  chosen by the student and approved by the teacher
  must be read outside of class both semesters.
• A minimum of two five-paragraph essays must be
  formally evaluated each semester. First semester
  the focus will be on compare/contrast and
  cause/effect writing while second semester the
  focus shall be on narrative writing.
• Weekly timed, reading comprehension practice and
  the study of vocabulary root words are also
  required for this course.

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Textbooks
Elements of Language 3rd Course Holt, Rinehart,
Winston
Elements of Literature 3rd Course Holt, Rinehart,
Winston
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Novels
Dandelion Wine By Ray Bradbury
A Separate Peace By John Knowles
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Classroom Rules

• High expectations are a must!
• Good attendance is essential to success.
• Abide by the golden rule.
• Come to class on time.
• Avoid disruptions.
• Be prepared for class.
• Do not ask to leave the classroom except for
  emergencies (you must have your planner).
• Late work will not be accepted except under rare
  circumstances.
• Deal with make-up work immediately.
• No food or drink is allowed in the classroom.
• No cell phones or ipods are permitted to be in
  use during class without permission.
• Respect school property especially classroom
  equipment.
• Wait for the teacher to dismiss the class and not
  the bell.

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Consequences

• A verbal warning is given when a classroom rule
  has been violated. This does not include tardy
  violations, insubordination, misbehavior for a
  sub, inappropriate use of classroom equipment, or
  gross misconduct.
• Insubordination, misbehavior for a sub, and
  inappropriate use of classroom equipment will
  result in, at minimum, an automatic detention. A
  tardy violation receives an automatic 3 points.
• If the warning is not heeded, 3 pts. are assigned
  for each subsequent infraction.
• When the student has accumulated 9 classroom
  points, a point letter is sent home to parents.
• The next subsequent infraction after the letter
  will be an assigned detention.
• If the behavior continues beyond the detention,
  subsequent points are assigned.
• If in the event that the student reaches 20
  points, a conference with the parent/guardian is
  held to determine further disciplinary action.
  Depending on the nature of the infractions, this
  could mean anywhere from more assigned
  detentions, AER, or removal to study hall.
• Point records accumulate during one semester and
  then begin anew second semester.

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Make-Up Work

• You will have one day for every day missed to
  make up your assignments.
• Please come in to see me during tutorial as soon
  as you return to school from an absence.
• Tests and quiz make-up dates must be scheduled
  immediately.
• Check the make-up folder or the classroom website
  for assignments and handouts. The sites address
  is ltmrsdrakesclassroom.pbworks.comgt.
• Alternative assignments may be given for missed
  videos and group assignments.
• If you are absent on an important essay or
  presentation due date, only a note from a parent/
  guardian or doctor will excuse you from receiving
  late deduction points.
• Papers and presentations not turned in on the
  assigned due date will receive one letter grade
  deduction for each day late.
• If you miss school for any reason other than
  illness, you will need to make up your work
  before you leave in most cases.

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Grading

• Grading Scale
• 100-90A
• 89-80B
• 79-70C
• 69-60D
• Below 60F
• Grades in this class are cumulative and are
  based on total points.

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Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures

• Please bring your textbook, notebook paper,
  English folder, pen, and pencil to class each
  day.
• Spiral bound notebook paper is discouraged.
• Please use pencil or black/blue ink on all
  assignments.
• Unless instructed otherwise, please use complete
  sentences for all assignments. Remember to
  proofread, correcting all spelling, punctuation,
  and capitalization errors.
• Include an appropriate header with all
  assignments, including first and last name,
  course title, hour, date, assignment title, and
  page number. The assignment title should be
  centered at the top of the paper. All other info
  should be included in the upper right-hand corner
  of the assignment. Failure to comply with these
  requirements may result in a grade deduction.
• Please write neatly and legibly. For some, it
  may be better to type the assignments.

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Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures Continued

• All formal essay assignments should be typed,
  double-spaced, and include header. No cover page
  or report folder should be included.
• Score sheets are provided for each student to
  keep track of assignments and points earned.
  Students are highly encouraged to keep track of
  their own grades. Otherwise, they shall find
  themselves at the mercy of the teachers
  accounting system. Teachers are human!
• Each student will be provided a manila folder to
  store all important documents such as tests,
  quizzes, and essays. These folders shall be kept
  in the classroom.
• Please save all of your assignments and handouts
  throughout the semester.

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Writing Evaluation

• Most writing completed in this course is
  evaluated according to Illinois state standards
  based on a six point scale for Focus,
  Support/Elaboration, Organization, Conventions,
  and Integration/Style.
• The MLA or Modern Language Association is the
  style used in all English classes at CHS for
  documenting sources.
• Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If a student
  is discovered plagiarizing in this course, a
  failing grade for the assignment shall be the
  result.
• A computer program known as Turnitin.com may be
  used in this course to check for assignments
  originality.

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Daily Grammar Practice (DGP)

• We will be using a grammar program known as DGP
  or Daily Grammar Practice.
• We will be doing DGP normally at the beginning of
  each class period unless instructed otherwise. On
  some occasions, the DGP activity shall be
  assigned as homework and at other times you will
  be provided the opportunity to work through the
  assignment in class as guided practice.
• There will be a quiz over DGP both quarters.
• The DGP skills will be included on the semester
  and final exams.
• You will be allowed to use notes on quizzes, but
  not or exams.
• The expectation from this program is that you
  will learn and retain more grammar knowledge to
  prepare you for the professional world.
• The assignments from this program will count as
  part of your daily participation grade.

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More Grammar Info

• We are also going to continue a grammar computer
  program called englishgrammar101.com
• We will go to the lab occasionally to complete
  the unit programs.
• Pretests and posttests along with individual
  grammar lessons are provided.
• Students will work at their own pace and set due
  dates to complete tests and lessons will be
  designated by the teacher.
• Students will receive passwords to access the
  programs. Tests may not be taken at home, but
  practice lessons may if the student has internet
  access.
• All students completed lessons, tests, and
  scores are sent directly the teachers inbox for
  review.

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• Get ready for a great year!