INTRODUCTION
This class is designed to further students’ skills in reading, writing, and speaking by participating in those activities every day. Students will read a diverse selection of fiction and non-fiction material including novels, short stories, plays, and poetry. The class will write in a variety of modes and for varying purposes every day. Public speaking will be practiced through individual and group presentations; students will also be engaging in large- and small-group discussions on a daily basis.MATERIALS
Students must come prepared to learn each and every day and need to bring with them, at minimum, the following supplies.• Completed homework assignments
• Paper
• Pen or pencil
• Reading material
• DGP packets and any books or other materials necessary to participate in class
Textbooks will generally be used only in class and therefore will not be checked out to every student.
GRADING
Grades will be based on points earned on daily participation, homework, in-class assignments, individual and group projects, presentations, papers, quizzes, and tests. Points earned will be divided by points possible to determine a percentage and a letter grade.
LATE AND INCOMPLETE WORK POLICY
Work that is incomplete will not be accepted; if something is turned in and is not complete, it will be immediately returned to the student. Students may turn in late work, provided that it is complete, but a percentage of the total point value is lost each day an assignment is late. If a student has an excused absence, he or she has as many days as were missed to complete and turn in any assignments due during that time; work due the day of the absence is due upon the student’s return. If a major deadline, paper, project, presentation, or test is missed it will result in a loss of a percentage of points possible unless the student contacts me PRIOR to the class period.
EXPECTATIONS
It is expected that students will be respectful and responsible in class every day while following all school district rules. If necessary, a progressive discipline program will be implemented.
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE
If you are having trouble understanding a concept or completing an assignment, please feel free to contact me. I am not on campus every period, so you will need to see me before or after class to schedule a time to get extra help. There will also be afterschool tutoring available throughout the year. My goal is to help you be a successful student, so let me know if you need help.