Coursework:

1
Course PoliciesEnglish -- Mrs. Tatevoicemail
938-0900 ex 2122 email tatem_at_
mdusd.k12.ca.usWebsite www.geocities.com/marath
ontate25/

• Coursework
• Northgate English classes are designed as a
  college preparatory classes in which students
  will thoroughly read, explore, discuss, and
  present an assortment of Literature. At the
  freshman level, all literature focuses on the
  individual or individuals in and against society.
  At the junior level, all literature selections
  are American, and seniors study world literature
  Classic Greek, French Russian and British
  Literature. In addition, students will do
  research, give presentations individually and as
  part of a group, concentrate on thematic issues
  of all works, discuss opinions and ideas as
  presented in the literature, form and articulate
  their own personal philosophies as inspired by
  literature, and write, write, write!
• Writing will encompass a wide variety of styles
  including formal essay, personal essay, creative
  writing, poetry, memoir, interview and vignette.
• Writing Tips
• Be consistent in all things you do.
• Always give your writing an original, snappy
  title.
• Always mention title author in essay
  introductions.
• Be sure to punctuate titles correctly!
• Slow Down. Proofread the next day for best
  results.
• Read drafts out loud to yourself it really
  works!
• Dont use (the thesaurus) words you dont
  know
• Essays are formal. Use black tie language.
• In essays, never address the reader directly
• (this means, avoid using you and similar
  words).

School is a Job Eventually, everyone goes to
work, but students arent usually expected to
have a job until they have finished school
because school is a job -- and instead of a
salary, students earn knowledge. It is expected
that all students will come to class prepared and
ready to learn -- just as if they were coming to
work. Your teachers remember to bring their
briefcases to work, have lesson plans ready for
each day, and come prepared to do their jobs.
The same is expected of you. In the workplace,
one must maintain a certain level of
professionalism and take initiative. Use the
same guidelines in class. One would never enter
a meeting in a corporate boardroom and explain,
using profanity, why one was late for the
meeting. BE POLITE! DONT SWEAR! Similarly, no
one wants to work with someone who is lazy and
slacks off. TAKE INITIATIVE and do things
that you see need to be done. Likewise, nobody
wants to work with someone who is overly
negative, complaining all the time about things
they dont try to change. Express things in a
positive and make suggestions for making
improvements. If you have a legitimate complaint
or concern, express it politely and positively.
Remember that school is your JOB -- behave in a
positive manner and treat others like you would
like them to treat you.
Extra Credit! Students who have a 70 or better
may do extra credit projects for up to 40 extra
points PER SEMESTER. Extra credit is rarely
assigned. If you are interested, take the
initiative ask Mrs. Tate what you can do.
Always check with her first, before you proceed.
Extra credit is always due TWO WEEKS before the
end of the quarter, or two weeks before finals
begin, so plan ahead ask early! Work received
after the two week cutoff can not be accepted,
nor applied to the following quarter.
2
Assignments GradesGrades are figured as
points, with no decimals. Assignments are given
a specific value based on the weight of the
assignment. For example, homework is usually
between 15 and 30 points essays are worth 100
points or more. Roughly 1000 to 1200 points will
be possible by the end of the semester. Grades
are comprised of the following approximate
percentages 30 tests, quizzes finals, 15
quarterly binder checks, 25 class performance
(participation) 30 writing, class assignments,
homework presentations. Grades are NOT rounded
up.Grades are figured as follows
100 - 90 A 89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D 59 and below F

• Academic Honesty Policy
• Working hard is the key to learning. If you
  are busy, stressed out, or cant finish an
  assignment because you have to work late,
  cheating is not the answer. Schedule your time
  so that you can finish your work, or change your
  schedule so you can get all your work done.
  Remember, school is your job, and it is your
  first priority. Other commitments like sports,
  work and other activities and interests come
  second.
• Copying anyone elses work is cheating. As a
  student here, you are expected to respect and act
  in accordance with the HONESTY POLICY, an
  unspoken promise that all the work you submit, at
  any time, will be all your own, not borrowed
  or stolen from other sources. These sources
  include the Internet, books, magazines, T.V.,
• willing (or not so willing) classmates.
• In Mrs.. Tates class, students caught
  cheating will receive a zero for the assignment
  (whether they did the copying or let someone copy
  from them), their grade will be lowered one
  letter grade, and they will be given a referral
  to the vice principal.
• Class Rules
• 1. Hats may not be worn during class.
• 2. Do not eat in or bring food or gum to class.
  (water bottles w/ lids ok).
• 3. All assignments must be written in dark ink
  or typed.
• 4. Students must be seated, quiet, ready to work
  when bell rings.
• 5. No electronic devices allowed.
• 6. Homework and makeup work assignments due at
  beginning of class only.

Business Matters The last 5 minutes of class
will be reserved for class business matters --
field trip forms, makeup work agreements, general
questions, etc. Please SAVE your questions for
the end of class. If you approach Mrs.. Tate
before this time, you will probably be ignored.

• Class Participation Expectations
• Our class experience involves daily discussion,
  interaction, activity and instruction, it is very
  important that students attend regularly.
• Students are awarded quarterly participation
  points as follows
• 180 points per quarter (twenty points per
  week)
• Students will lose points as follows
• Absence 10 points per day starting with third
  excused absence (exception academic field trips)
• Tardies, dress code violations, gum, food and
  drinks other than water 5 points
• Coming to class unprepared, without books or
  supplies, or lack of class participation
  (sleeping, spacing out) 5 points
• Disruptive, disrespectful behavior 5 - 10
  points.
• Points lost due to legal or excused absences can
  be re-earned by completing point makeup
  assignments
• All point makeup assignments must be completed
  and submitted approximately one week before the
  last day of regular class in the quarter. Mrs.
  Tate will announce due dates each quarter.
  Makeup work may be done in advance.
• See TatesPoint Makeup Handout for specific
  details

• Makeup Late Work
• Students who are absent for medical or emergency
  reasons may make up the work they missed.
  Students have the amount of days equal to the
  number of days they missed to complete work.
  Makeup work must be completed within two weeks of
  the absence. Use the following procedure when
  completing makeup work
• Get assignments from class reporter the day
  you return.
• Fill out orange makeup work form - located on
  wall by front chalkboard.
• Show orange form to Mrs. Tate, and have her sign
  it that same day.
• Complete makeup work and staple orange form to
  it when you turn it in.
• Late Work
• Late work is not accepted unless students have a
  legal absence (see above). Except in the case
  of legal absence or extreme circumstances, late
  work will receive half credit only.