Classroom Rules, Regulations, Grading, Etc. English Mr. Post

A brief note for parents on the New York State Common Core and the state-developed curriculum:

As I’m sure you’re by now aware, two years ago our district elected to adopt/adapt a curriculum developed and distributed by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Even after two years of working with these “modules” (long units), this curriculum is still very much a work-in- progress and some modules remain “untested”. Much like last year, you can expect there to be some adjustments made to some of the information below as the year goes on in order to better meet the needs and learning styles of individual students and classes and adapt appropriately to the new curriculum.

Two key components of the new ELA curriculum are 1. Focused, regular small group and whole class discussion and 2. Second readings of classroom texts regularly assigned as homework with small written/notetaking assignments. Both of these are fairly significant changes that can potentially have a major impact on your student’s grades.

1. Required Materials. Please bring the following items to class each day: Pen and pencil, English binder or binder with an English section (with loose-leaf paper), current textbook (most likely a novel) and a standard flash drive. These items should be on your desk and ready to use (when needed) at the start of each class.

2. Classroom Behavior. The rules of this classroom are as follows: A. All school rules and regulations are to be observed in this classroom. B. The classroom is an electronic device “red zone”. C. No hats, backpacks, food, or beverages other than water will be allowed in class. D. You should be seated with materials out and ready to begin class by the time the bell rings. E. Arrive to class prepared and on time. Do not begin packing up until I dismiss class. F. If you have something to contribute to class, please raise your hand and wait to be called on.

All students are expected to be positive, contributing members of this class. Be polite and thoughtful of each other. Misbehavior will result in a warning, conversations with your parents/guardians and the principal, teacher detentions and/or referrals.

3. Absences & Makeup Work. You are expected to make up any work missed because of any absence. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to ask for this work. Check with me on the day following your absence (or check the class website during your absence) to find out what work you have missed. You will have the number of days absent to make up the work, tests or quizzes that you have missed. In other words, if you have missed three days of school, you will have three days to make up all missed assignments. If you miss class due to lessons or any other in-school activity, you need to get any graded work missed THAT DAY and make it up by the following day. Current assignments are also updated on the smartboard and on my page of the school website. Work due on the day of an absence is due the day you return to class.

Lateness: Many, though not all, assignments can be handed in one day late for 75% of the earned grade. After one day, the assignment will no longer be accepted for graded credit.

4. Graded Papers & Handouts. Keep all graded papers and handouts in your English binder/folder for reference.

5. Grading General: Marking period grades will reflect, among other things, classwork and class participation, vocabulary acquisition, in and out of class compositions (essays and creative writing), individual and group projects, extracurricular reading assignments, class preparation and student effort.

For any larger assignment/project, you will be given a rubric detailing how it will be graded.

Point System: Each assignment is worth a certain number of points (announced in advance). The amount of points given to an assignment gives a strong indication of the assignment’s weight. For example a vocabulary quiz might be worth twenty points, while a long-term project might be worth one hundred and fifty points.

Writing: Obviously writing is an important component of this class. While improving your skills as a writer in an ongoing purpose of lessons given in this class, when writing falls below an acceptable level of grammar, spelling, punctuation and/or effort, it may not be accepted for a grade until a better second copy is handed in.

Journals: Come to class each day ready to write. Journals will be kept in the classroom. Some class days will begin with a journal entry. Although writing varies for each student, on average I expect about 100 words written during 10 minutes of journal writing. There will be a journal check after every tenth journal entry. Each journal check will be worth 100 points (each entry 10 points). Like any other classwork, If you miss class, you will be responsible for completing any missed journal assignments on your own time.

If you have any questions or concerns, I can be contacted by phone at the school (557- 6014) or by e-mail ([email protected]). If you call while I am teaching a class, please leave your name, number and a convenient time to call you back.

Please sign below and return slip

I, ______, will allow/will not allow (circle one) my child ______to select their own reading as approved by their English Teacher.

I have read the above and understand what is expected of me/my child in English class.

Student signature: ______Parent/Guardian signature: ______