English Syllabus Fall 2004

My Philosophy

I believe that everything I do should glorify God.  In order to achieve this, I must put everything I have into my Christian walk, teaching my classes, and investing time in the lives of my students.

I believe that all students have to ability, but not always the desire, to learn.  I believe that school, on any level, should be a positive experience for each student, and every student has the right to a quality education.  I also believe in creating a challenging, fair and consistent environment, in which students take responsibility for their words, work and actions.  Therefore, it is my job and passion, as an educator, to find a way to motivate the students to do their best, and to provide every opportunity for them to learn in a safe, godly environment.

My Goals for This Year

1. To glorify God in everything
2. To grow and mature together in God
3. To expand the student’s knowledge and appreciation of writing, poetry, and literature.
4. To teach students the value of standing up for God (theme for the year).

 Classroom Rules

1. “Love thy neighbor as thyself” (Lev. 19:18).  I expect all students to treat adults, as       well as other students, with the same love and respect they have for themselves at all       times.

2. If anyone, including the teacher, offends you adhere to the Matt.18 principle.  It is       your responsibility to go to the person who offended you first.  This allows for timely       restoration and eliminates gossip (sin), harboring bitterness (sin), or further offense.   

3. A student may never work on any other classes work during my class time.  If this happens, the work will be confiscated and thrown away. 

*Any violations of these rules will be dealt with in a timely manner that is compliant to school policy.*

Policies

1. Late work is on a “three strikes and you’re out” system

A. This means that the first time you turn in a late assignment the grade will start at an 85% and be graded down from there.  (I.e., you turn in your assignment by the next day, same hour, you have that class.)  The 2^nd and 3^rd times adhere to the same policy; however, the 4^th time in a quarter this happens, and anytime thereafter, you will receive a ZERO on that assignment(s).

B. Even if the assignment is turned in between classes, before the next class/hour begins, it is STILL considered late.

C. After the third strike OR the student develops a habit of not turning in homework, the student will fill out a form stating the assignment not completed, which will be sent home in the Family Envelope.

2. Incomplete work will not be accepted; you must complete it and turn it in as late work.

3. There will be no extra credit given at any time, to any student, for any reason.

4. If a student is asked to leave the room for improper behavior, they will receive a zero for ALL work that day.  *This includes tests and quizzes.*

5. If a due date is given and the student will be absent on that day for any reason (e.g. band/choir concert, play practice, field trip) the student MUST turn in the work the day before, send in with a sibling/parent, OR turn in the work before school starts the day the assignment is due.

6. Parents are encouraged to look over students’ work and discuss it with their student; however, at NO time is a parent allowed to edit a paper, do the students research or homework, OR complete a project for the student.  Remember peer editing will be done and the teacher reserves the right to allow the students to make errors in order for the student to learn.

7. Peers can be the best resource for a student to gain help with their assignments; however, there is a fine line between helping a fellow student understand the material and letting them copy answers or helping them complete the assignment.  In such an event, both students will receive zeroes on the assignment AND detentions.

Paper Specifications

*ALL papers turned in must adhere to the following specifications, which also comply with MLA formatting:

1. All drafts must be typed
2. Margins should all be 1 inch, no more, no less
3. 12 point font, Times New Roman will be used at all times
4. All papers will be double spaced
5. The following words are not acceptable in any formal writing, unless permission is given by the teacher: I, you, it.

NOTE: All papers must meet the required minimum length, for all drafts, to be accepted for full credit.  Otherwise the paper may be turned in the next day for a “strike.” (Please see the aforementioned HCA homework strike policy.)

Heading

            The following heading will be used in the TOP RIGHT-hand corner of every assignment, unless specified otherwise:

                                    Your name
                                    The class name/hour
                                    Date 

Grading Categories and Weighting
 

Each student’s grade* will be factored in the following manner:
Writing                      25%                         This includes brainstorming, rough and final drafts.
Tests                          25%
Quizzes                     20%                          This includes spelling, grammar, and lit. quizzes.
Projects                     15%                          This includes L.P.’s, collages, and book projects.
Homework                 15%

 

*Please note that the senior writing class percentages will be vastly different

 Requirements

1. Each student is expected to be prepared for class. This includes having all books and assignments with them in class.  Students will never be allowed to go to their lockers for things they have forgotten.  If a student leaves their books/backpack, at any time, in my classroom, their will be a $1 or ½ hour per book/backpack cleaning/housekeeping fee. 

*The student will be returned their books as soon as they work/pay off the fee.

*The student has ONE WEEK to either pay or work off the item(s).

–If they fail to do so, they will be issued an hour detention to work off their book fines.

NOTE: the money collected will be used for a pizza party for the students, starting with the seniors.  A strict record of all monies, who paid and when, and totals to date are recorded daily.  Mr. Wessing receives an up to date copy each week along with all receipts of money spent on pizza parties.

2. Each student is expected to have a folder OR 3 subject notebook for my class.  They will keep brainstorming, handwritten rough drafts, and in class notes in the notebook.  They will also keep all peer edited copies of papers and final drafts in their folder OR 3 subject notebook, along with all pertinent handouts.

Book Projects

            Each student will be required to read SIX books (3 Fiction, 2 Nonfiction, and 1 Biography/ Autobiography) and to do book projects from the Book Project List on each book.

1. TWO of these books MUST be classics.

2. These books MUST be approved by Ms. Mickley and be age/reading level appropriate. 

3. Each Wednesday the students are given the entire hour to read their book.  This is to be one of their SIX books for their book projects; they cannot read their Bible, magazine, or a newspaper.
   1. If a student forgets their reading log or their book, they will receive a zero for the day.
   2. Students must have their materials before the start of class.

4. The students will be required to fill out reading logs each Wednesday.
   1. The Reading Log contains a section labeled “Approved By.”  If my initials appear in that box, then that book has been approved to do for a book project.  If the students initials alone appear in that box then the student either

                                                               i.      Forgot to bring their book or log on Wednesday, or

                                                             ii.      The book has NOT been approved.

2. The students are allowed to check out classroom books or library books, but this MUST be done before class starts.

5. A book project will now be due EVERY six weeks.  Projects are NOT accepted late; there is NO exception.  The due dates are as follows:

#1        Due October 4^th                     1^st Quarter
#2        Due November 15^th               2^nd Quarter
#3        Due January 3^rd                     2^nd Quarter
#4        Due February 14^th                  3^rd Quarter
#5        Due March 28^th                      4^th Quarter
#6        Due May 9^th                           4^th Quarter

 ***Any book project that does not adhere to the guidelines will be severely marked down. Any book project done on a book that was NOT approved will receive a zero***

 Research Paper

 Each student will be required to write a research paper.  A tentative schedule follows: 
10^th ----------------5 page / 5 sources--------------starting in September/due Dec. 19th.
11^th ----------------7 page / 7 sources-------------starting in February/due in April.
12th---------------10 pages / 10 sources----------starting in November/due in January
 

***Please also see Policy #6 in regards to the research paper***