ENGLISH  10

Course Description

This class will take us through many different types of texts--stories about alienation, struggle and redemption, arguments about freedom, individual expression and responsibility.  As we debate the merits of these texts, we will have two endeavors in mind.  

First, we will consider a series of philosophical questions, beginning with how can we truly understand individuals who are significantly different than ourselves.  Then, we will wonder about not only the risks of connecting with those who seem so entirely “other” to us,  but also how to respond to the radical changes that surely will rock our lives year in and year out.  While exploring these changes, we will consider how to focus on our own drive, our own ambition, without becoming selfishly power-driven. And finally, how can we use whatever wisdom and power we have gained through all of these experiences to shape our world into the just and fair place we want it to be?  These, are of course, not only complex questions but also questions that all human beings continually reconsider and reanswer our whole lives--which is exactly why they will provide us  with an excellent yearlong philosophical journey.

Secondly, we will focus on becoming the strongest readers and writers we can be.  Of course we will--this is English class, after all.  But have you ever wondered why you must take English all four years of high school, why reading and writing are so important that you must work on honing these skills every single year?  Of course, I have an answer--I am your English teacher, after all.  Reading is simply the most thoughtful way any person can explore not only the experiences and arguments of others, but develop their own understanding of who they are and what they believe.  And writing is how this newfound self-knowledge is given articulate expression, so that person can present that self-knowledge to the world.  Thus, being the strongest reader and writer you can be simply means being the strongest, most-developed version of you.

This syllabus gets into more of the particulars of this journey--what we will read, what we will write, whether or not you can use your cell phone.  Please peruse it at your leisure, and let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to taking this journey with you.

Course Expectations and Assessments

Course Policies 

Primary Assessment Retake Policy 

• Students are permitted to retake primary assessments within 1 week of receiving a grade on the original assessment and before the next upcoming primary assessment is given.

• Additionally, if you receive a zero for any homework assignment within a unit of study, you cannot retake the primary assessment for that unit. 

• A retake in my class can take many forms, depending on the particular assessment.  I may ask you to revise a piece of writing for additional points, take a different timed assessment that measures the same skills, or complete a project in place of the original assessment.  The form of your re-take depends on what skills the original assessment measured, and in what areas you find yourself struggling in.  In our appointment, we will discuss together which form would be best for your individual re-take.

• If you wish to retake a primary assessment, you should first respons t eth retake email I send following the grading of the assignment.  Then we will set up a required conference time for your retake.  Please complete the GRHS Retake/Test Corrections Assessment form prior to your appointment with me.

Benchmark Assessment Corrections Policy

• Students may not retake a benchmark assessment; instead, students may complete test corrections during tutorials or another time when the teacher is present. Benchmark assessments may not be taken home for test corrections to preserve the integrity of questions.

• In lieu of retaking an assessment, I will assign test corrections to be completed during an after school period during the last week of the marking period.

• This will be the only period in which benchmark corrections can be made.

• If you wish to correct a benchmark assessment, please complete the GRHS Retake/Test Corrections Assessment form prior to the Benchmark Corrections Period.

Attendance/Lateness/Missing Work Policies

• Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class.  If a student is not in his/her assigned seat when the bell rings he/she will be marked absent.
• In order to leave the classroom, the student must request permission from the teacher.  If permission is granted, the students should then fill out an e-hall pass.  Only one person will be allowed to leave the room at a time, and such breaks cannot be longer than 5 minutes
• If you are absent it is your responsibility to make up all missed work.  Missed work due to absences will be recorded as a “1” in the gradebook.  If you do not make an appointment to reschedule an assignment or fail to make up any assignment within a week of the original due date your grade for missed work will become a zero.
• Homework will not be accepted late.  Homework cannot be made up.
• Long-term assignments (Essays, Projects, etc.) will not be accepted late.  However, these assignments can be resubmitted under the retake policy for full credit.
• Plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form.  If you plagiarize an assignment, you will receive a zero for that assignment—this zero cannot be made up.

Required Materials 

• Please bring your Chromebook to class every day.
• You will need something to hold papers handed out in this class as well as any notes you take, which you should bring to class everyday.  I would recommend either a three-ring notebook or a sturdy folder that you are comfortable bringing to class every day.
• If we are working with a specific book or packet of readings, please bring it to class everyday.

Assistance

• I will always be available for extra help after school on Tuesdays until 3:30.  
• If you cannot see me on Tuesdays, please feel free to email me or speak to me after class to set up an appointment after school on another day.  I often stay after school on other days as well.
• If after school is difficult for you, please let me know and we can set up an appointment during the school day based on our mutual availability.

Classroom Behavioral Expectations

• Be prepared—All students must come to class with a Chromebook, a folder or binder for papers, a pen and/or pencil, and, if applicable, a book.  Occasional surprise checks will be implemented to enforce this rule.
• Raise your hand—Hopefully everyone will have a lot to say in this class, but unfortunately everyone can’t say it all at once.  If you wish to speak, by all means raise your hand—I’ll make sure your voice is heard.
• Attack ideas, not people—During our conversations, you’ll probably find yourself disagreeing with me or with a fellow student.  That’s great, (most good ideas are born from disagreement), but remember your issue is with the idea, not the person and should be expressed as such.

All additional Gateway rules will be followed.  Also, please note:

• Cell phones are not allowed out in class, as per GRHS policy.
• Hats and hoods may not be worn, as per GRHS policy
• Earbuds/Headphones will only be allowed in class when I give explicit permission.

Discipline Process

Failure to follow classroom rules and other discipline guidelines will result in movement through the following process:

1. In-class warning
2. After-class conference
3. Teacher detention
4.  Administrative referral
5. Continuation of discipline process as defined by the Gateway Code of Conduct