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English 11

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Renaissance Incentives

This section covers my policies and procedures, so please read it carefully. You will receive a printed copy of this information on the first day of school, and you will be required to sign and return it!

Students will study a variety of literature with careful emphasis on the California State Standards. Additionally, students will work on analysis, the conventions of writing, formal and informal essays, timed writings, grammar and vocabulary. Projects are a significant portion of the grade for this course.

POLICIES
BE HERE, ON TIME AND PREPARED: There is no substitute for consistent regular attendance and preparedness. The school’s policies of eight tardies and absences will be adhered to strictly in this course. The only exception to this rule will be with Renaissance Incentives and I require prior notification. Do all of your work to the best of your ability and turn it in! Learn from your mistakes. These are the building blocks of good grades.

NO LATE WORK: If you are here, your work should be too. It is unfair to me, other students and you if I accept late work, so I don’t. Again, the only exception to this rule will be with Renaissance Incentives, and I require prior notification.

MAKE UP WORK: In the case of excused absences, I accept make up work within a limited period of time. It is your responsibility to obtain the work from me upon your return or from a classmate prior to your return. DO NOT ASK FOR MAKE UP DURING CLASS. See me before school, at break, lunch, during FIRE or after school. You will have one class meeting per day of absence to make up most assignments. However, long-term assignments must be submitted on the day they are due regardless of your presence in class. Renaissance students may also use certain incentives for some assignments with prior approval. In any case, take care of business as early as possible as it keeps us all very happy.

I DO NOT GIVE MAKE UP TESTS!! You must be here for tests, and you will be given ample notification. If, for some unfortunate reason, you must be absent, you will be given a score of zero, and your next test will count as double. This policy ensures your presence and greatly reduces any compromise of my test’s security. It also protects you and your classmates from students who habitually miss such important course requirements and keeps things fair for all. However, this can be a very painful process for grading periods in which tests are missed. Please make every effort to be present for tests.

ASSIGNMENTS: There are many reasons for assignments, and as many ways by which they will be assessed. Some assignments are designed for practice and will not receive points. We will evaluate them together and use them for building up to such assignments as quizzes, essays or tests. They will eventually earn points for accuracy and level of mastery of the material. Some assignments are worth completion points. These assignments are checked for timely submission and effort. Students may correct them in class for direct instruction. Some assignments will be graded for accuracy and development. These assignments have developed out of practice and completion assignments. They will be the essays, tests and projects.

NEATNESS: Always submit neat work. Use your best penmanship in blue or black ink only. I always accept word-processed work, and require it on certain assignments. In the case of word-processed work, you will be given a specific format to use. Any work that is not neat, legible or carefully proofread may be returned for revision and resubmission. Two formal warnings will result in a zero for the following assignment. Take pride in your product.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Copying or allowing someone else to copy is cheating. Buying or selling essays from the Internet is cheating. “Sharing answers” is cheating unless it is a designated group project. Taking words off of a website without giving credit to your source is cheating. Divulging test information, and using someone else’s words without adequate citation (plagiarism) are also cheating. I am entirely intolerant of cheating. Don’t do it! The first offense will result in a double zero on an assignment and parent notification along with an academic dishonesty referral. Subsequent incidents will find students in counseling and administrative offices and potential failure of this course.

DISCIPLINE: I am very clear with students about what is expected. If I am unable to convince a student to correct behaviors, I will contact parents. However, my emphasis is on making students personally responsible for their work, success and behavior in the classroom. Therefore, I expect students to show respect for themselves and others at all times. I tolerate no off-color language or innuendo in speech or writing. My students must come prepared, ready to work, listen and learn.

MATERIALS

BINDERS: Students at FTHS are required to have two binders. Please have a section in your binder for English. It will need dividers, which we will cover in class. Your binder will be checked regularly for neatness and content. Bring your binder daily.

SPIRALS: I have purchased a spiral notebook for each student. If you are financially able, I would appreciate it if you would reimburse me for yours. If not, please see me, email me or write me a note, and I will defray the 10 cents. These spirals are to remain in class and will be a portfolio of your progress and performance.

PENS, PENCILS & ETC.: Please use blue and black ink on writing assignments. Have one “funky” color for editing. Always have a pencil, an eraser, college ruled paper, and tissue. Always come to class prepared, and ask a classmate for materials before you ask me.

RENAISSANCE INCENTIVES

I am a supporter of the Renaissance program and will happily accept Renaissance card incentives. The only incentive I will not negotiate is the dropped quiz or test score. Please do not ask. Instead, take advantage of all assignments and bonus points in my class! I give bonus points on some assignments (to be announced) for early submission. I also give random “stump the teacher points.” Ask me about these!

Thank you for reading this section. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

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