Language Arts 11/12
Morton High School� �2023– 2024 School Year
Mrs. Caitlin Gschwend, Special Education Teacher �
Email: caitlin.gschwend@mcusd709.org �Phone: 309-284-6163�Rm: Dept. of Student Support Services
Welcome to Language Arts 11/12!
Literature:
This Language Arts course is designed to equip students with essential literacy skills that are pivotal for success in their future personal and professional lives. By focusing on practical applications of language arts, students will develop proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The curriculum integrates real-world contexts to ensure that students acquire skills that are not only academically rigorous but also directly applicable to their everyday lives. This course is designed to include predominantly American literature throughout the course of our history. This course will cover authors such as Olaudah Equiano, John & Abigail Adams, Alice Walker, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and H.P. Lovecraft. Some of the skills students will be working on through the use of these texts will include: reading comprehension, functional writing, effective oral communication, digital literacy, critical thinking and problem solving, and literacy for everyday tasks.
Textbook:
Copies of texts are provided by the teacher on paper
Classroom Expectations:
*All school rules and policies as noted in the Student Handbook apply in this classroom.
Grading Procedures:
A total points system is used to calculate grades. Grades are determined by dividing an individual student’s accumulated point total by the total number of points possible.
Extra credit is given at the discretion of the instructor.
A 95-100 C 79-82
A- 93-94 C- 77-78
B+ 91-92 D+ 75-76
B 87-90 D 71-74
B- 85-86 D- 73-70
C+ 83-84 F Below 70
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Homework: Assignments will be posted in Schoology and on the wall in our classroom. There will be times where we submit on Schoology and turn in by hand in class. Pay attention to directions.
Helpful Websites
PowerSchool is an excellent way to stay on top of your grades, tardies, and absences:�https://morton709.powerschool.com
Schoology is where students AND parents access content, assignments, announcements and resources: http://mcusd709.schoology.com
Supplies Needed:
Academic Assistance
�M-Th: 3:00pm – 3:40pm
M-F: Potter Hour
Prep Periods:
Fall 2024 - 3rd and 5th hours Spring 2025 - 5th and 7th hours
By appointment only. Students must sign up for assistance via email or during class. We are always happy to work with students when they need assistance, but students need to be proactive so that they can get help when they need it.
Make – Up Work / Late Work:
If a student is absent from class, the first thing they should do is check the LA 11/12 Schoology page to see what needs to be completed.
All work that was assigned on the day the student is absent will be due by 5 school days after their return to school if the absence is excused. All unexcused absences forfeit points and the work cannot be made up per school policy.
Please remember that a guardian must call in a student in order for an absence to be considered excused.
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CLASSROOM NORMS FOR TECHNOLOGY
Students are to bring their school-issued iPads to every class period. Failure to bring a charged iPad to class after two warnings will result in a detention.
Students are not permitted to have earbuds in or headphones on at any time during class unless given specific approval by the teacher. There is a zero tolerance policy on this. Students will receive one warning on the first occasion. Second and so on occasions will result in a dean referral.
Students are not permitted to watch movies, videos, YouTube, make TikToks etc. during class time unless given specific approval by the teacher. There is a zero tolerance policy on this. Students will receive one warning on the first occasion. After that, a dean referral will be issued. School-issued iPads and personal devices fall under this expectation.
What Students Can Expect: teacher-led lectures, class discussions, individual and group projects. reading (most done in class), research, formal and informal writing assignments, skills-based quizzes and tests, and one final at the end of each semester.
What the Teacher Expects: respect for everyone and everything in the classroom, positive attitudes, preparedness, politeness, academic and social honesty, proper attire, punctuality, and a charged school-issued iPad and supplies brought to class every day.
Morton CUSD 709 has the following policy regarding AI
“Artificial intelligence” or “AI” is intelligence demonstrated by computers, as opposed to human intelligence. "Intelligence" encompasses the ability to learn, reason, generalize, and infer meaning. Examples of AI technology include ChatGPT and other chatbots and large language models.
AI is not a substitute for schoolwork that requires original thought. Students may not claim AI generated content as their own work. The use of AI to take tests, complete assignments, create multimedia projects, write papers, or complete schoolwork without permission of a teacher or administrator is strictly prohibited. The use of AI for these purposes constitutes Academic Dishonesty.
Students may not use AI, including AI image or voice generator technology, to violate school rules or school district policies.
In order to ensure academic integrity, tests, assignments, projects, papers, and other schoolwork may be checked by staff using AI content detectors and/or plagiarism recognition software.
In LA 11/12, we will learn how to use artificial intelligence appropriately if applicable. However, no final assignment or project that is turned in for credit should use any sort of artificial intelligence.
I look forward to problem solving and exploring Language Arts 11/12 with you this year. Through exploratory lessons, group work and open-ended questions, we will dive deep into the world of Language Arts and be able to grow as lifelong learners and problem solvers.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gschwend
Please sign to acknowledge that you have read and understand the
Language Arts 11/12 23-24 syllabus.
Student Name (Please Print): ________________________________________________________
Student Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: _____________
Parent/Guardian Name (Please Print): _______________________________________________
��Parent/Guardian Signature ____________________________________ Date: _____________
If you have any questions, comments or things I should know please reach out!
Please sign to acknowledge that you have read and understand the
Language Arts 11/12 23-24 syllabus.
Student Name (Please Print): ________________________________________________________
Student Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: _____________
Parent/Guardian Name (Please Print): _______________________________________________
��Parent/Guardian Signature ____________________________________ Date: _____________
If you have any questions, comments or things I should know please reach out!