Welcome%20to%20Honors%20English%20I

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Welcome toHonors English I

• Mrs. Drake
• Room 400
• Classroom website ltmrsdrakesclassroom.pbworks.comgt
  
• Email ddrake_at_charleston.k12.il.us
• cusd1draked_at_gaggle.net
• Voice Mail Mrs. Drake [phone]

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Course Description

• This course will emphasize the study of
  literature as well as the study of grammar, usage
  and the writing process.
• The study of short stories, poetry, the novel,
  non-fiction and drama will be included in this
  course including Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet,
  and Homers epic poem The Odyssey.
• At least two full-length, fiction or non-fiction
  works chosen by the student and approved by the
  teacher must be read outside of class both
  semesters.
• A minimum of three five-paragraph essays must be
  formally evaluated each semester. The focus of
  the writing shall be on expository literary
  analysis, argumentative, and narrative essays.
  One essay must include a research component.
• Each student will be required to keep an
  electronic journal or blog.
• Weekly timed, reading comprehension practice and
  the study of vocabulary root words are also
  required for this course.

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Textbooks
Elements of Language 3rd Course Holt, Rinehart,
Winston
Elements of Literature 3rd Course Holt, Rinehart,
Winston
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Classroom Rules

• High expectations are a must!
• Good attendance is essential to success.
• Abide by the golden rule.
• Come to class on time.
• Avoid disruptions.
• Be prepared for class.
• Do not ask to leave the classroom except for
  emergencies (you must have your planner).
• Late work will not be accepted except under rare
  circumstances.
• Deal with make-up work immediately.
• No food or drink is allowed in the classroom.
• No cell phones or ipods are permitted to be in
  use during class without permission.
• Respect school property especially classroom
  equipment.
• Wait for the teacher to dismiss the class and not
  the bell.

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Consequences

• A verbal warning is given when a classroom rule
  has been violated. This does not include tardy
  violations, insubordination, misbehavior for a
  sub, inappropriate use of classroom equipment, or
  gross misconduct.
• Insubordination, misbehavior for a sub, and
  inappropriate use of classroom equipment will
  result in, at minimum, an automatic detention. A
  tardy violation receives an automatic 3 points.
• 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 to parents.
• The next subsequent infraction after the letter
  will be an assigned detention.
• If the behavior continues beyond the detention,
  subsequent points are assigned.
• If in the event that the student reaches 20
  points, a conference with the parent/guardian is
  held to determine further disciplinary action.
  Depending on the nature of the infractions, this
  could mean anywhere from more assigned
  detentions, AER, or removal to study hall.
• Point records accumulate during one semester and
  then begin anew second semester.

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Make-Up Work

• You will have one day for every day missed to
  make up your assignments.
• Please come in to see me during tutorial as soon
  as you return to school from an absence.
• Tests and quiz make-up dates must be scheduled
  immediately.
• Check the make-up folder or the classroom website
  for assignments and handouts. The sites address
  is ltmrsdrakesclassroom.pbworks.comgt.
• Alternative assignments may be given for missed
  videos and group assignments.
• If you are absent on an important essay or
  presentation due date, only a note from a parent/
  guardian or doctor will excuse you from receiving
  late deduction points.
• Papers and presentations not turned in on the
  assigned due date will receive one letter grade
  deduction for each day late.
• If you miss school for any reason other than
  illness, you will need to make up your work
  before you leave in most cases.

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Grading

• Grading Scale
• 100-90A
• 89-80B
• 79-70C
• 69-60D
• Below 60F
• Grades in this class are cumulative and are
  based on total points.

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Grading Continued

• The greatest percentage of your grade in this
  class will be taken from classwork homework.
  You should expect to have homework almost every
  night.
• Occasional unit quizzes and tests will also make
  up a considerable percentage of your grade.
• Two formal essay assignment grades per semester
  will be included in your percentage for this
  course as well.
• You will be expected to keep an online journal
  using gagglenet.
• Class projects, if time permits, will be included
  in your final semester grade as well.
• Class participation grades will be taken on a
  regular basis not to exceed 10 of your total
  semester grade.

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More on Grading

• Please do not ask me Is this assignment for a
  grade?
• The answer is always Yes whether I collect it
  and assign an actual grade or not!
• Every academic activity you do in this class is
  either receiving a formative or summative
  assessment.
• So, this means, give your best effort on
  everything you do in this class!

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Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures

• Please bring your textbook, paper, English
  folder, pen, and pencil to class each day.
• Spiral bound notebook paper is discouraged.
• Please use pencil or black/blue ink on all
  assignments.
• Unless instructed otherwise, please use complete
  sentences for all assignments. Remember to
  proofread, correcting all spelling, punctuation,
  and capitalization errors.
• Include an appropriate header with all
  assignments, including first and last name,
  course title, hour, date, assignment title, and
  page number. The assignment title should be
  centered at the top of the paper. All other info
  should be included in the upper right-hand corner
  of the assignment.
• Please write neatly and legibly. For some, it
  may be better to type the assignments.

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Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures Continued

• All formal essay assignments should be typed,
  double-spaced, and include header (unless
  otherwise specified). No cover page or report
  folder should be included.
• Some essays may be required to be submitted
  electronically such as Turnitin.com or Gagglenet.
  You will be required to keep track of your user
  name and passwords for these programs.
• Please save all of your assignments and handouts
  throughout the semester.
• We are piloting a new BYOT program this year!
  More info to follow on this!

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Writing Evaluation

• Most writing completed in this course is
  evaluated according to Illinois state standards
  based on Focus, Support/Elaboration,
  Organization, Conventions, and Integration/Style.
  Rubrics will be provided for all major writing
  assignments.
• The MLA or Modern Language Association is the
  style used in all English classes at CHS for
  documenting sources. There are several online
  sources for MLA listed on the CHS Homepage link.
• Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If a student
  is discovered plagiarizing in this course, a
  failing grade for the assignment shall be the
  result.
• A computer program known as Turnitin.com may be
  used in this course to check for assignments
  originality.

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Daily Grammar Practice

• We will be completing daily oral language drills
  at the beginning of each period.
• There will be regular quizzes over this material.
• These grammar skills will be included on the
  semester exam.
• The expectation from this program is that you
  will learn and retain more grammar knowledge to
  prepare you for the professional world.
• The assignments from this program will count as
  part of your daily participation grade.

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More Grammar Info

• We are also going to continue a grammar computer
  program called englishgrammar101.com
• We will go to the lab occasionally to complete
  the unit programs.
• Pretests and posttests along with individual
  grammar lessons are provided.
• Students will work at their own pace and set due
  dates to complete tests and lessons will be
  designated by the teacher.
• Students will receive passwords to access the
  programs. Tests may not be taken at home, but
  practice lessons may if the student has internet
  access.
• All students completed lessons, tests, and
  scores are sent directly the teachers inbox for
  review. So, no need to print copies of the
  assignments or scores.

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Gaggle.net

• Recently, our school began using an internet
  program called gaggle.net.
• With this program all students are given an email
  account to be used for educational purposes.
• Students may send and receive emails to teachers
  and peers.
• Students may also submit assignments to teachers
  via the homework dropbox.

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Gaggle.net

• There are many other features that may be used
  with gaggle.net that will be discussed in class
  shortly.
• If you do not have internet access at home,
  please let your teacher know so that an
  alternative method for submitting assignments may
  be provided.
• We do have internet access available in the CHS
  media center also.

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• Get ready for a great year!