English 2

Ms. Gill

Teacher: Musheerah Gill

Room: 301

Email: mgil@hillsidek12.net

Website: http://tinyurl.com/gillhill

Remind Code: text your class code f64a26 to 81010 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This class will help you build skills in order to successfully transition out of the ESL program. In this class, you will create projects that require you to work on reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in English. In addition, we will work on vocabulary and grammar.

GRADING:

TESTS/PBLs: 50%. Projects will comprise the bulk of your test grade. You will be given one major project each marking period. You also will take one major test during the marking period on grammar/vocabulary concepts.

QUIZZES: 25% Quizzes will be given to assess your understanding of grammar concepts, vocabulary, and /or reading comprehension/skills. Ms. Gill reserves the right to give pop quizzes. Sometimes quizzes will be given on notes taken during a previous class or taken for homework, so please keep an organized notebook.

CLASS PARTICIPATION: 10% Class work will be given every class period. Class work consists of do-nows, exit-tickets, short writing prompts, peer editing, discussion, reading annotations, journals, etc. Please come prepared to write every day.

In addition, you will be given credit (4 points) each day for adhering to the following school rules: coming on time, wearing your uniform, contributing positively (avoiding side conversations and not using your cell phone or other electronic devices), and being prepared with a pen and notebook.

HOMEWORK: 15%  Homework will consist of independent reading, grammar/vocabulary exercises, viewing videos/slideshows, note-taking, etc. Late homework will be given ½ credit.

*Note-Google classroom will be used to distribute and turn in assignments.

POLICIES:

PROJECTS/ESSAYS: 

• EARLY DUE DATE: (Up to one class early) Students who hand in their work early will receive 5 points added to the project or essay grade.
• ACTUAL DUE DATE: Students who hand their work in on this date will receive no extra points and no point deduction
• LATE DUE DATE: Students who hand their work in late will have 10 points deducted for each late day.

 Note: Assignments will NOT be accepted after 3 days after the due date.

TESTS: If you are not satisfied with a test grade, you may take a make-up test before or after school, never during class. This make-up grade will be averaged with the first grade to determine the new test grade.

QUIZZES/CLASS WORK/HOMEWORK: You can only make-up quizzes, class work, and homework assignments if you were absent and have a gold slip. You will NOT be permitted to hand in late homework assignments, classwork, and quizzes.

The lowest quiz grade is dropped each marking cycle.

Note: Plagiarism (copying from friends and /or from the internet without credit) of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in a zero.  (See attached plagiarism policy). Proper citation methods will be taught in this class. If you do not understand the proper way to cite, please consult the teacher.

MATERIALS:

School Gmail account

Pen/Pencil

Notebook

Reminder: Please check the website ( http://tinyurl.com/gillhill) daily after 3 for the day’s homework assignment.

COURSE BREAKDOWN:

UNIT 1: GRAMMAR LESSON

           In pairs, students will create a grammar lesson and will present the lesson to

              the class.

UNIT 2: SUCCESS

        PBL: Students will create a success book based on interviews with and research  

           on successful people.

        READING: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Stephen Covey

UNIT 3: IDENTITY

        PBL: Students will create a poetry book with poems that reflect aspects of their    

           identities.

        READINGS: Monster by Walter Dean Myers or The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton,

           Various poems

UNIT 4: CAREER RESEARCH PAPER/PROJECT

          PBL: Students will write a research paper comparing two career paths.

          READINGS: Informational articles about various careers and the job market; The

          Pact by the Three Doctors.

UNIT 5: VISIONS OF THE FUTURE

        PBL: Students will create a “new society” based on their utopian ideals.

        READINGS: The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Declaration of Independence

UNIT 6: CULTURAL COOKBOOK

          PBL: Students will create a cookbook that includes narratives about their

                    experiences with cultural foods.

ENGLISH 2

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

1. Be on-time. Please be seated by the time the bell rings.
2. Be prepared. Please come with a notebook, writing utensil, and folder or 3 -ring binder every day.
3. Actively participate. Listen to others, ask questions, offer your opinions, provide support, and avoid distractions (cell phones, Ipods, websites unrelated to class work, work for other classes, and extraneous chatter).
4. Show respect to yourself and others.  Refrain from using profane language and putting each other down. Who needs that?
5. Help. Ask for help if you need it. Offer help when you can.
6. Take risks. Most learning comes from being in slightly new, different, or even uncomfortable situations. Make yourself uncomfortable at least once a day.
7. Do work that reflects your unique brilliance. Don’t let yourself down by turning in rushed, mediocre assignments, and definitely DO NOT plagiarize. You’re so much better than that.

REWARDS:

• PRAISE/VERBAL RECOGNITION
• HOMEWORK PASSES
• SMALL PRIZES/ TREATS
• POSITIVE PHONE CALL HOME
• “FREE” CLASS OF GAMES/PUZZLES (WHOLE CLASS)

CONSEQUENCES

• WARNING
• 30 MINUTES AFTER SCHOOL DETENTION W/ CALL HOME
• PARENT/STUDENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE

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I, _____________________________, have read the syllabus and expectations and agree to meet them to the best of my ability. I expect to have my positive behavior recognized and rewarded and to have any negative behavior corrected through the use of the above consequences.

________________________________________                  _______________

Student’s Signature                                                        Date

I, ________________________, parent/ guardian of ______________________ have read the syllabus for this class and the expectations for my child’s behavior. I understand that I can check the class website to check homework assignments daily and that I can contact Ms. Gill via email or phone call in regards to any concerns.

_________________________________________                       _______________

Parent/Guardian’s Signature                                                        Date