Nicolas Junior High School

2015-2016 Language Arts Honors II Eleanor Roosevelt High School Mrs. Walker, Room E113

About the Course: The focus of Language Arts 2 Honors is to develop the students’ abilities to use the writing process in response to a literature-based curriculum, both fiction and non-fiction. The course will integrate reading, writing, listening, speaking, research, and technology into lessons, exercises, and assessments, thereby assisting students in mastering the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) as well as preparing for the possibility of AP Language and Composition. In the honors program, students will read challenging literary works emphasizing higher level thinking skills such as the application of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information. Honors students will be expected to read and write extensively with maturity and sophistication.

Expected Student Behavior: ELECTRONICS STRICTLY PROHIBITED! Therefore, I have instated a compromised that my students may use their cell phone quickly outside my classroom door with my acknowledgment. Yet, it is imperative that use of technology doesn’t occur during any type of assessments, tests, quizzes, or timed writings. Therefore, cheating is not in question. The growing dependency on technology can be an amazing educational tool; however, it may also cause distraction and disruption in the academic classroom. If technology is permitted to research a topic, word, or MLA question the student may only use it for educational purposes when the entire class is prompted otherwise, they are in violation of the technology uses of Mrs. Walker’s room. Students who are using technology without approval and for the wrong reasons will lose their phone and these privileges when offered to the class. Please discuss with your student the appropriate time and place as well as simple courtesy for using electronic devices such as cell phones and music players. Immediate disciplinary consequences will be incurred. Diverse opinions, beliefs, and backgrounds make the classroom a unique forum for the sharing of ideas. In order to provide a safe environment that is conducive to learning, students are expected to show RESPECT to their classmates, to the teacher, and to school property. Students are expected to follow classroom and school rules at all times. Disregard for the rules will result in collection of electronic device and parent will need to come to school to pick up. Additional consequences may include detention, parent notification, and administrative conferences. Positive attitudes and appropriate behavior will be encouraged, appreciated, and rewarded accordingly!

Make-up Policy: Unexcused late work is NOT ACCEPTED unless I have been previously notified of serious circumstances (the night before the due date does not count as previous notice). It is the student’s responsibility to retrieve absent/missing work. Students are to notify via email with attached pic’s of work as an attachment. Late work due to an excused absence must be turned in at the NEXT class meeting in order to receive full credit. If the student has a paper due and they have an excused absence it must be emailed as a PDF attachment prior to the class/period start time. Then I will honor the hard copy of the paper to be turned in the day the student returns. Some absences that occur on assignments such as presentations & projects have set dates that are not flexible. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the teacher 24-48hrs ahead of their absence so accommodations to present can be made. Otherwise, student will earn a minimum of 50 % off to a Zero. In addition, sloppy/ incomplete work will be returned with a zero OR in some cases prompt revision will be allowed in order to receive partial credit. Lastly, I offer tutoring afterschool. The student is responsible for signing up for tutoring attending on scheduled date/time. Tutoring can be used to assist in student comprehension as well as a missed assessment/test. I will be offering Academic Saturday School Remediation once a month where students may attend a writing workshop to improve their current grade between 1-5% in lieu of make-up work for incomplete/late/ zero assignments. Students may attend each month to improve their current standing grade. Students must sign up, attend the entire session (7:59am-11:59am) @ room E113, be on time/willing to complete all work. Early dismissal/non- compliance will result in Zero % earned. Cancellation of Academic Saturday School Remediation may incur due unforeseen health matters/school funding/accessibility to site. I will post canceled Sat. class info in class/online calendar. Remember due to time restrictions grade may not be reflected until the next grading period unless it is the end of the semester/final grade.

Grading: Grades will be based on the accumulation of work completed each semester. An approximate distribution of points follows: Writing /Essay 40%, Assessments 20%, Homework/ Classwork/Projects/Collaboration/Presentations 30%, {1st semester Summer Work & 2nd semester Sophomore project} 10% ( each semester). Grading Scale: 90-100%=A 80-89%=B 70-79%=C 60-69%=D 0-59%=F

Academic Dishonesty Policy: Do not plagiarize! This form of cheating will not only be detrimental to your grade but, to your personal integrity. Persons who have been found to commit the act of plagiarism or to have committed the act of allowing another to plagiarize off one's work will incur equal consequences. Individuals will be given a Zero and potentially referred for a parent/administrative conferences. Do not be tempted to plagiarize or succumb to peer pressure to help plagiarize. Your actions are your own responsibility! Turnitin.com accounts will be used frequently to check essays and assignments.

Materials Needed Daily: 1. Textbook Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes, Platinum Level 2. ERHS student planner to record daily CLASS/HOMEWORK 3. One 3-5 subject notebook (multiple single-subject notebooks will work too) with college-ruled paper 4. One composition or single-subject notebook (to be kept in the classroom for writing practice) 5. Highlighters (3-4 of varying colors blue/orange or yellow/green) 6. Pencils and Blue/Black pens (no other colored ink allowed for class assignments) 7. White out correction tape Pen. 8. Flash drive to save and retrieve documents

Required Turnitin.com: Create an account if you do not already have one. See instructions on teacher website for enrollment code and password. You must have an account by September 7, 2016

Questions? Need clarification or extra help? I can be reached by e-mail [email protected] or by telephone at (951) 738-2100 ext. 1513. Also, refer to my teacher web page through the school website for important dates, assignments, and instructions.

Please sign and return the bottom portion to acknowledge receipt and discussion of the course outline between student and parent/guardian. Students need to keep the top portion for future reference. Due August 25, 2016 ------

2016-17 ERHS Language Arts II Honors Syllabus ______Print Student Name

______Print Parent/Guardian Name(s) Signature of Parent/Guardian

Preferred Contact Info (Please note e-mail or phone number):