INFORMATION ABOUT ENGLISH 2009-2010

BE PREPARED:  Think ahead and bring to class what you will need-your three-ring binder and loose leaf paper to put in it, one-subject writer’s notebook, reading materials of your choice, planner with pass sheet, blue or black pens, red pen,  pencil, and colored pencils(if desired for sketching in your writer’s notebook).  You need to have your choice of reading materials with you every day! Please make sure you get in the habit of bringing your materials to class every day, so that you will be prepared to work. Also, there will be materials checks that are worth points toward your grade each week.  

PAY ATTENTION:  When someone is speaking please remember to give them your full attention.

PARTICIPATE:  Involve yourself actively in class by listening, participating, and asking and answering questions. Remember, you’ll get out of class what you put into it.

WORK COOPERATIVELY IN GROUPS:  Cooperate with others, listen attentively and respectfully to others’ ideas, share your own ideas, and do your share of the work.

FOLLOW PROPER ASSIGNMENT FORM:  Please do all work on a full sheet of paper. Assignments may be handwritten or typed on the computer. Put your first and last name in the upper right hand corner of the paper.  Underneath your name, write the date the assignment is due.  Underneath the date, write what period you have English.  

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKE-UP WORK:  If you are absent from school please see me as soon as you return to find out what you missed.  Before school the day you return is the best time.  If it is necessary for you to get your work during class, please see me during free writing time, as that is when I have the most time to explain things to you. It is your responsibility to find out what you missed and make up any work quickly.  You will have the number of days that you were absent plus one more day to get your work finished.  After that you will receive a zero on the work not made up in that amount of time.  Don’t let this happen to you; zeros bring your grade point average down very quickly.  Make-up work should be handed directly to me.  Please DON’T leave papers on my desk.  They may be lost or moved before I see them.  If you need to make special arrangements with me because of unusual circumstances, please come and talk to me.  If there is a good reason that you need a longer period of time to complete your work, I will be flexible with the due date if I know ahead of time when you plan to turn the work in to me. Please don’t wait until the day your work is due to ask for more time; it will be too late.  

TURN WORK IN ON TIME:  In order to receive full credit for your work it must be turned in on time.  Work must be complete and turned in at the beginning of class in order to receive full credit.  It is NOT acceptable to work on your assignment during free writing time, etc.  No late work will be accepted for full credit.  Please make a habit of bringing your planner to class every day and using it.  This will save you a lot of stress and will guarantee you a higher grade.

BE HONEST AND DO YOUR OWN WORK:  Students guilty of cheating will receive zeros on their work.  Also, their parents will be notified.  Please be honest and do your own work.

BE ON TIME:  No tardies will be given the first week of school, but after that you will have an after-school detention the third time you are late getting to class in a quarter.  You are considered tardy if you are not in your seat by the time the second bell rings.  If you are late because of a teacher, have your planner signed by the teacher admitting you to English and your tardy will be excused.

BE HERE:  It is very important that you be here.  Your education suffers when you miss a lot of school.  You can do make-up work, but when you are gone you miss out on  explanations and examples of how to do assignments, discussions, workshop time, group work time, videos, etc. that all add to your understanding of a subject.  These are things that can’t be made up.  Think of school as your job, a daily responsibility you have, just as adults have with their jobs.  Good attendance is a good habit to get into; it’s good preparation for the future.  

KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR FIRE DRILLS:  Turn left as you go out of the room.  Then go down to the end of this hall and out the double doors.

KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR TORNADO DRILLS:  Go to the library.

KNOW WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARRIVE LATE OR LEAVE EARLY:  If you arrive to school late for any reason and miss English class, you should check with a reliable classmate or with me to see what you missed.  You will be expected to have the next day’s assignment done if there is one.  If you’re leaving early and will miss English class, find out what you will be missing.  You will be expected to have the next day’s work done.  If possible, please do not wait until the moment before you are leaving.  Try to come in before school if you know you will be leaving later in the day and before English meets.  The most convenient time for me to talk with you is before or after school or during eighth hour.  During eighth hour I will be in the classroom, the teacher’s lounge, or the office if you need to see me. If you need to meet with me, it is necessary to get a pass signed by me ahead of time!  The best time to do this is before or after school or during your English class period.  During first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh hour I will be teaching classes, so it is best to avoid coming in at those times if at all possible.   

KNOW WHAT IS OKAY TO HAVE IN CLASS:  No pop, Gatorade, juice, food, or candy is allowed in class. Water is allowed. Gum is allowed unless it becomes a problem.  It is a problem if it is out of your mouth, wrappers or chewed gum are found anyplace except the garbage, or if you have it in your mouth during a presentation.

KNOW ABOUT TELEPHONE USE:  Telephone use is NOT allowed during class.  If you need to use the phone, you must use the one in the office before or after school, between classes, or during your study hall time.   Cell phone may be used during lunch and  between classes, but not in the classroom or in study hall. 

KNOW ABOUT CLASS DISMISSAL:  If the bell rings at the end of the period and someone is still speaking, please remain seated.  I will dismiss you, not the bell.  If I make you late for your next class, I will make sure that your tardy is excused. 

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN BEHAVIOR:  Inappropriate behavior that disrupts the class or those around you is not acceptable because it keeps learning from taking place.  If you are engaged in inappropriate behavior you may be warned about your behavior, seated elsewhere in the room, asked to leave the room, or sent to the office.  Detentions may also be a consequence for inappropriate behavior.  Remember, you are the only one responsible for your behavior. 

USE WORK TIME WISELY:  Please use your class time appropriately.  If you are given workshop time then you should be reading or writing. Do not work on assignments for other classes during these times unless you have been given permission.  If you work on other homework during English work time, the assignment may be taken and not returned. If you would like to check out a book from this room, please sign it out on the clipboard on the chalk tray. Make sure to take care of books so that they stay in good shape for others to read in the future. If something happens to a book, please be honest and let me know about it.  

KNOW ABOUT PASSES:  In order to leave the room for any reason, you need to have your planner signed by me.  Make sure that if you are asking for permission to leave it is for an important and necessary reason.  Please don’t ask to leave the room when directions or assignments are being given or during presentations.

ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT:  That’s what I’m here for! Please don’t be afraid to ask about something you don’t understand.  If you don’t want to ask questions during class, stay after to get any explanations you need.  Don’t worry about being late for your next class.  I will make sure your tardy is excused.  Unless I have a meeting, I am usually available in the morning from 7:45-8:20. I am also available eighth hour and after school until 3:45.