Welcome toWelcome toEnglish IIIEnglish III

Mrs. Drake Mrs. Drake Room #400 Room #400

The classroom website is: <mrsdrakesclassroom.pbworks.com>The classroom website is: <mrsdrakesclassroom.pbworks.com>Email: Email: ddrake@charleston.k12.il.us

Voice Mail: Mrs. Drake (217)639-5093Voice Mail: Mrs. Drake (217)639-5093

Course DescriptionCourse Description This course includes a survey of American literature This course includes a survey of American literature

beginning with The Colonial period and ending with The beginning with The Colonial period and ending with The Moderns.Moderns.

Two novels will be taught in this course including Two novels will be taught in this course including The The Scarlet LetterScarlet Letter first semester and first semester and The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby second second semester.semester.

Two more American fiction/non-fiction books must be read Two more American fiction/non-fiction books must be read outside of class to fulfill the requirements for this course.outside of class to fulfill the requirements for this course.

The study of root words is required for this course.The study of root words is required for this course. Weekly PSAE timed reading/workkeys passages are also a Weekly PSAE timed reading/workkeys passages are also a

requirement for this course.requirement for this course. Two expository “literary analysis” essays and two Two expository “literary analysis” essays and two

persuasive essays (at least one must be a documented persuasive essays (at least one must be a documented essay) must be formally evaluated for this course.essay) must be formally evaluated for this course.

Along with the literature, root word, and composition study, Along with the literature, root word, and composition study, the instruction of grammar usage and mechanics will be a the instruction of grammar usage and mechanics will be a daily part of this course. daily part of this course.

NovelsNovels

The Scarlet The Scarlet LetterLetter

by by

Nathaniel Nathaniel HawthorneHawthorne

The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby

byby

F. Scott FitzgeraldF. Scott Fitzgerald

Classroom RulesClassroom Rules

High expectations are a must!High expectations are a must! Good attendance is essential to success.Good attendance is essential to success. Abide by the “golden rule.” Abide by the “golden rule.” Come to class on time. Come to class on time. Avoid disruptions. Avoid disruptions. Be prepared for class. Be prepared for class. Do not ask to leave the classroom except for emergencies. Do not ask to leave the classroom except for emergencies. Late work will not be accepted except under rare Late work will not be accepted except under rare

circumstances. circumstances. Deal with make-up work immediately.Deal with make-up work immediately. No food or drink is allowed in the classroom.No food or drink is allowed in the classroom. Cell phones and ipods are not permitted to be used during Cell phones and ipods are not permitted to be used during

class without permission.class without permission. Respect school property especially classroom equipment.Respect school property especially classroom equipment. Wait for the teacher to dismiss class, not the bell.Wait for the teacher to dismiss class, not the bell.

ConsequencesConsequences

A verbal warning is given when a classroom rule has been violated. This does not A verbal warning is given when a classroom rule has been violated. This does not include tardy violations, insubordination, misbehavior with a sub, inappropriate use include tardy violations, insubordination, misbehavior with a sub, inappropriate use of classroom equipment, or gross misconduct outlined in your student handbook.of classroom equipment, or gross misconduct outlined in your student handbook.

Insubordination, misbehavior for a sub, and inappropriate use of classroom Insubordination, misbehavior for a sub, and inappropriate use of classroom equipmentequipmentwill result in, at minimum, an automatic detention. A tardy violation receives 3 will result in, at minimum, an automatic detention. A tardy violation receives 3 points automatically.points automatically.

If the warning is not heeded, 3 pts. are assigned for each subsequent infraction.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 When the student has accumulated 9 classroom points, a point letter is sent home

to parents.to parents.

The next subsequent infraction after the letter will be an assigned detention.The next subsequent infraction after the letter will be an assigned detention. If the behavior continues beyond the detention, subsequent points shall be If the behavior continues beyond the detention, subsequent points shall be

assigned until the student reaches 20 points.assigned until the student reaches 20 points.

If in the event the student reaches 20 points, a conference with the parent or If in the event the student reaches 20 points, a conference with the parent or guardian shall be scheduled. Further consequences may include more detentions, guardian shall be scheduled. Further consequences may include more detentions, AER, or removal to study hall depending on the nature of the infractions.AER, or removal to study hall depending on the nature of the infractions.

Point records accumulate during one semester and then begin anew second Point records accumulate during one semester and then begin anew second semester.semester.

Make-Up WorkMake-Up Work

You will have one day for every day missed to make up your You will have one day for every day missed to make up your assignments.assignments.

Please come in to see your teacher during tutorial as soon as Please come in to see your teacher during tutorial as soon as you return to school from an absence.you return to school from an absence.

Tests and quiz make-up dates must be scheduled immediately.Tests and quiz make-up dates must be scheduled immediately. Check the make-up folder or the classroom website for missed Check the make-up folder or the classroom website for missed

assignments and handouts.assignments and handouts. Alternative assignments may be given for missed videos and Alternative assignments may be given for missed videos and

group assignments.group assignments. If you miss a written essay assignment or major class project If you miss a written essay assignment or major class project

due date, only a note from a parent/ guardian or doctor will due date, only a note from a parent/ guardian or doctor will excuse you from late deduction points. excuse you from late deduction points.

Papers and presentations not turned in on the assigned due Papers and presentations not turned in on the assigned due date will receive one letter grade deduction for each day late.date will receive one letter grade deduction for each day late.

If you miss school for any reason, other than illness, you will If you miss school for any reason, other than illness, you will need to make up your work before you leave in need to make up your work before you leave in mostmost cases. cases.

GradingGrading

Grading ScaleGrading Scale

100-90=A100-90=A

89-80=B89-80=B

79-70=C79-70=C

69-60=D69-60=D

Below 60=FBelow 60=F

*Grades in this class are cumulative and *Grades in this class are cumulative and are based on total points.are based on total points.

Grading ContinuedGrading Continued

The greatest percentage of your grade in this class will be taken from The greatest percentage of your grade in this class will be taken from classwork & homework. You should expect to have homework almost classwork & homework. You should expect to have homework almost every night.every night.

Occasional unit quizzes and tests will also make up a considerable Occasional unit quizzes and tests will also make up a considerable percentage of your grade.percentage of your grade.

Two formal essay assignment grades will be included in your Two formal essay assignment grades will be included in your percentage for this course as well.percentage for this course as well.

You will also be required to submit 30 annotations for a book that you You will also be required to submit 30 annotations for a book that you read outside of class. This assignment is worth 150 points each read outside of class. This assignment is worth 150 points each semester. semester.

Class projects, if time permits, will be included in your final semester Class projects, if time permits, will be included in your final semester grade as well.grade as well.

You will also receive an organization grade for the semester. This You will also receive an organization grade for the semester. This grade will be based on several factors including preparedness for class grade will be based on several factors including preparedness for class each day, organization of folder, notes, and handouts; including each day, organization of folder, notes, and handouts; including appropriate headers on all documents, and following all instructions for appropriate headers on all documents, and following all instructions for submitting assignments.submitting assignments.

Class participation will also be figured into the semester grade as well, Class participation will also be figured into the semester grade as well, not to exceed 10% of the overall grade.not to exceed 10% of the overall grade.

More on GradingMore on Grading

Please do not ask me “Is this assignment for a Please do not ask me “Is this assignment for a grade?” grade?”

The answer is always “Yes” whether I collect it and The answer is always “Yes” whether I collect it and assign an actual grade or not!assign an actual grade or not!

Every academic activity you do in this class is either Every academic activity you do in this class is either receiving a formative or summative assessment. receiving a formative or summative assessment. “Formative” assessments are based on a teacher’s “Formative” assessments are based on a teacher’s observations of a student. “Summative” assessment observations of a student. “Summative” assessment is based on actual quizzes, tests, exams, written is based on actual quizzes, tests, exams, written essays, and final projects.essays, and final projects.

So, this means, give your best effort on everything So, this means, give your best effort on everything you do in this class!you do in this class!

Miscellaneous Policies Miscellaneous Policies and Proceduresand Procedures

Please bring your textbook, paper, English folder, pen, Please bring your textbook, paper, English folder, pen, pencil, and journal to class each day. pencil, and journal to class each day.

Spiral bound notebook paper is discouraged.Spiral bound notebook paper is discouraged. Please use pencil or black/blue ink on all assignments.Please use pencil or black/blue ink on all assignments. Unless instructed otherwise, please use complete Unless instructed otherwise, please use complete

sentences for all assignments. Remember to proofread, sentences for all assignments. Remember to proofread, correcting all spelling, punctuation, and capitalization correcting all spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors.errors.

Include an appropriate header with Include an appropriate header with allall assignments, assignments, including first and last name, course title, hour, date, including first and last name, course title, hour, date, assignment title, and page number. The assignment assignment title, and page number. The assignment title should be centered at the top of the paper. All title should be centered at the top of the paper. All other info should be included in the upper right-hand other info should be included in the upper right-hand corner of the assignment. corner of the assignment.

Please write neatly and legibly. For some, it may be Please write neatly and legibly. For some, it may be better to type the assignments.better to type the assignments.

Miscellaneous Policies Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures and Procedures

ContinuedContinued All formal essay assignments should be typed, double-All formal essay assignments should be typed, double-

spaced, and include header (unless otherwise instructed). spaced, and include header (unless otherwise instructed). No cover page or report folder should be included.No cover page or report folder should be included.

Score sheets are provided for each student to keep track of Score sheets are provided for each student to keep track of assignments and points earned. Students are highly assignments and points earned. Students are highly encouraged to keep track of their own grades. Otherwise, encouraged to keep track of their own grades. Otherwise, they shall find themselves at the mercy of the teachers’ they shall find themselves at the mercy of the teachers’ accounting system. accounting system.

Each student will be provided a manila folder to store all Each student will be provided a manila folder to store all important documents such as tests, quizzes, and essays. important documents such as tests, quizzes, and essays. These folders shall be kept in the classroom.These folders shall be kept in the classroom.

Please save all of your assignments and handouts Please save all of your assignments and handouts throughout the semester in a folder designated for English throughout the semester in a folder designated for English III.III.

Writing EvaluationWriting Evaluation

Most writing completed in this course is evaluated Most writing completed in this course is evaluated according to Illinois state standards based on a six according to Illinois state standards based on a six point scale for Focus, Support/Elaboration, point scale for Focus, Support/Elaboration, Organization, Conventions, and Integration/Style. Organization, Conventions, and Integration/Style.

The MLA or Modern Language Association is the style The MLA or Modern Language Association is the style used in all English classes at CHS for documenting used in all English classes at CHS for documenting sources. sources.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If a student is Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If a student is discovered plagiarizing in this course, a failing grade discovered plagiarizing in this course, a failing grade for the assignment shall be the result. for the assignment shall be the result.

A computer program known as Turnitin.com may be A computer program known as Turnitin.com may be used to check for a written assignment’s originality. used to check for a written assignment’s originality.

Daily Grammar Daily Grammar Practice (DGP)Practice (DGP)

We are using a grammar program known as DGP or Daily We are using a grammar program known as DGP or Daily Grammar Practice. Grammar Practice.

We will be doing DGP at the beginning of each class period We will be doing DGP at the beginning of each class period unless instructed otherwise. unless instructed otherwise.

In the beginning, you will work in small groups to complete In the beginning, you will work in small groups to complete the grammar task for the day. Once you get the hang of it, the grammar task for the day. Once you get the hang of it, you will be given the opportunity for independent practice.you will be given the opportunity for independent practice.

Your DGP evaluation will be included as part of your daily Your DGP evaluation will be included as part of your daily participation grade. participation grade.

Occasionally, I will collect the DGP as an accuracy homework Occasionally, I will collect the DGP as an accuracy homework grade.grade.

There will be a DGP quizzes occasionally as needed. There will be a DGP quizzes occasionally as needed. The DGP skills will also be included on your semester and final The DGP skills will also be included on your semester and final

exams.exams.

Grammar Instruction Grammar Instruction Cont.Cont. We will occasionally be using an internet based We will occasionally be using an internet based

grammar program called englishgrammar101.com.grammar program called englishgrammar101.com. Students take pretests and posttests to assess Students take pretests and posttests to assess

their understanding of important grammar their understanding of important grammar concepts.concepts.

Students work at their own pace to complete each Students work at their own pace to complete each module.module.

Lessons may be completed at home if internet Lessons may be completed at home if internet access is available, but tests must be completed in access is available, but tests must be completed in class.class.

This is a paperless program, so no printing is This is a paperless program, so no printing is required.required.

Gaggle.net

This year we will continue to use an This year we will continue to use an internet program that we began internet program that we began using last year. using last year.

All students and teachers receive an All students and teachers receive an email account to use for educational email account to use for educational purposes.purposes.

Students have the opportunity to Students have the opportunity to submit work to the homework submit work to the homework dropbox.dropbox.

Gaggle.net continuedGaggle.net continued

There are many features available to There are many features available to students and teachers available through students and teachers available through gaggle.net that we will be discussing shortly.gaggle.net that we will be discussing shortly.

Please let me know if you do not have Please let me know if you do not have internet access at home so that I can make internet access at home so that I can make alternative arrangements for gaggle.net alternative arrangements for gaggle.net assignments.assignments.

We do have several computers available in We do have several computers available in our media center in which you may access our media center in which you may access the internet.the internet.

Get Ready for a Great Year!