Course Information for English 1

English 1

Mr. Evans

West High School

Welcome to English 1! 

Course Emphasis: This course is designed to teach students to become better writers, readers, communicators, and thinkers. Students receive instruction in various writing styles and then practice these styles. In addition, they are exposed to ideas through literature and given practice communicating and thinking about these ideas.

Materials:

· The textbook--McDougal Littell's The Language of Literature.

· Novels/plays—To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Homer's Odyssey.

· Additionally, students will read an outside reading book each quarter.

Students will bring and use books on days assigned by the teacher. Students will need to bring a notebook or folder to class each day along with paper, a pen, and a pencil. The notebook will need to hold student work and writing throughout the year. Student writing is accumulated in a writing folder which is kept in the classroom. This folder must not be lost!!

Activities/Assessment: this course utilizes a variety of activities and assignments.  A daily summary of assignments is kept on the Internet at www.westhigh.com/users/evans. Assignments are graded on a point scale.  The grade scale: 90%-100% = A 80%-89% = B 70%-79% = C 60%-69% = D 59% and lower = Fail.

Make-up Work: Although make-up work is available for excused absences (not Truancies), no make-up assignment can replace missed classroom instruction. There are no make-ups for missed reading checks. Assignments will be posted daily on the website; however, students should still check with me upon returning to class. ABSENCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE for not turning in assignments for which the due date is announced in advance. This includes essays and projects. If an absence is planned, students should arrange to turn in the assignment early. Otherwise, drop the assignment off at the front office, e-mail it to me, or have another student bring it in. If asked, the Attendance office will request work from teachers for absences greater than 3 days. After an absence it is the student's responsibility to obtain and turn in make-up work. I am available to answer student's questions and explain assignments.

Late Work: Late work is marked down one letter grade for each day late. Being absent on the day that an essay or project is due is NOT an excuse for turning it in late. Make arrangements to turn the assignment in early or have it dropped off at the Principal’s office by the end of the day it is due; otherwise, late penalties will apply. If a printer breaks or runs out of ink, please e-mail the assignment to me (preferably attached, as a Microsoft Word document) to avoid late penalties.

I am available to answer questions and explain assignments. In addition, there is a campus tutorial center that can provide extra help for students.

Parent Communication:

· Online—This site, westhigh.com/users/evans provides assignments and occasional grade updates. My e-mail address is also posted.

· Report cards indicating a student's progress are distributed every 10 weeks (each quarter).

· Progress reports are issued at the five week period before the end of the quarter (or as close to it as possible) for students who are in danger of receiving a 'D', 'F', or 'U' on the report card.

· Voice mail—533-4299 xt. 7841

• Back-To-School Night for 2008 will be held on Wednesday, October 1st at 6:00 pm.

Attendance/Tardies: Attendance has a dramatic effect on student's progress!! Make-up work can be given but cannot provide the same instruction given in class.

This class follows the school policy on tardiness:

· 1—3 = warning

· 4 & 5 = a progress report issued indicating that the student has a ‘U’ in citizenship—the ‘U’ can be made-up by being on time for three weeks (per tardy)

· 6+ = an unchangeable ‘U’ in citizenship. Tardies beyond 6 result in referrals to the Dean's office and often Saturday School; the problem is treated as an issue of defiance.

(TEAR OFF AND RETURN)

I have read the above standards and expectations and accept the responsibility for meeting these expectations in English 1.

Student Name __________________________ Date___________

Student Signature_______________ Parent Signature____________