- Ridgefield Memorial High School
- English 2
Tavano, Dana (English Teacher)
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Ridgefield Memorial High School
English II
Mrs. Tavano
If you need to see assignment please log in to google classroom. Below is the class code needed for each period.
Period 7 code: 3vcr3ex
Period 9 code: raqhvfr
Welcome to English II! This year, we are going to be reading many fascinating novels, short stories, and plays. The major works that we will be reading are: The Natural, 12 Angry Men, Julius Caesar, To Kill a Mockingbird, Native Son, and The Last Lecture. We will also read various short stories and poems throughout our course. Daily lessons will include, but are not limited to: vocabulary; reading comprehension activities; individual and group presentations; in class writing; in class projects/assignments; project based learning.
Some high school students are skeptical of their school studies, particularly of the texts that they are assigned in their English classes. These students may ask, “What does this have to do with me?” I can guarantee that you will be able to answer this question in detail by the end of the course. What you will find most surprising about this course is how much you will learn about yourself and others from our literary guides as we make our way through the literature.
COURSE GOALS
Before you step out of my class into the warm June sun, you will:
- improve your editing skills
- strengthen your writing skills
- develop your critical thinking skills
- enhance your communication skills
- identify connections between our literature studies and your world
- read with a critical eye (read to learn)
- read with an aesthetic eye (read for fun!)
- be able to answer the question: “What does this (our literature studies) have to do with me?”
REQUIRED MATERIALS
ü Literature textbook and/or current work we are reading
ü Vocabulary Book Level E (on days vocabulary is assigned)
ü 1 folder
ü Blue or black ink pens ONLY! The use of other colored ink is not acceptable! #2 pencils are permitted only for Scantron use! (It is a good idea to keep 1 or 2 pencils in your pencil case)
ü A 3 ring binder - As a student in my class, you are required to maintain a 3-ring binder in which you will organize your course paperwork/handouts as follows:
Section One: Write now/word of the day
Section Two: Class notes and handouts
Section Three: Homework
** Your binder will be checked periodically and will count towards class participation grades **
** Please note: a spiral notebook or any notebook with perforated pages are NOT an acceptable substitution for a binder
** Points will be deducted from your participation grade when you do not have the handouts and/or books necessary to complete in-class work and assignments.
GENERAL CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
You are all expected to:
Ø Come to class on time with the required materials. Any unexcused lateness will result in detention. You will not be permitted to go lockers once class has started.
Ø Participate meaningfully in class. Participation not only includes speaking but listening, taking notes, and not interrupting others.
Ø Respect others. You are all expected to be respectful of one another and of me. There will be no swearing, no use of profanity, nor any use of hate speech. Use of such speech will result in detention and whatever other disciplinary actions deemed necessary by the administration.
You are all expected NOT to:
Ø Chew gum, eat food, or drink beverages in or during class. Food and drinks should not be visible. If you chew gum or eat during class, you will be assigned detention with me.
Ø Wear or use headphones, cell phones, iPods, or any other electronic equipment that is not approved by the Main Office. If you have any of these within visible sight I will take the equipment and bring it to the Main Office.
The rules above describe in general the way I expect my class to operate. It is also my responsibility to enforce the student code of conduct as outlined in the Parent/Student Handbook. Violation of the rules will invoke a procedure of progressive discipline. Students involved in serious offenses including vandalism, acts of violence, or severe disrespect to the teacher will be immediately excluded from the classroom. Persistent violators of classroom rules will receive progressively more stern discipline.
DAILY PROCEDURES
When you arrive, you should immediately take out your binder, where you will begin working on your “Write Now” and word of the day assignments. You will work silently until time is called by the teacher, at which point the day’s activities will commence.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Your class participation grade weighs heavily into your marking period and semester averages. I believe that class participation involves much more than simply volunteering information in class discussions. Participation is what makes the difference in any class. I will try to be as entertaining as I can; I will try to bring as much interesting and diverse materials to class as I can; I will try to make what we do in class relevant to your lives, but it is only through your effort and engagement that the class will truly be lively. The best way to ensure you have something to contribute is to stay current on homework assignments. You will be assigned a weekly participation grade. If you ever have a question about this component, see me as soon as possible. I may not be able to recall a week in September if you ask me in December. In order to earn the most points possible towards your class participation grade, you must:
ü Pay attention at all times. Those who choose to have side conversations with their friends instead of paying attention will notice a marked reduction in their class participation grade. If you are on the border when grades close, your class participation grade will most likely determine whether you stay in one grade range or jump to the next level.
ü Be respectful of your peers and your teacher at all times.
ü Abide by the classroom expectations and behavioral policies.
ü Make an effort to come to every class meeting. Keep in mind that you need to be in class in order to participate, so your attendance is a factor closely related to your participation.
ü Be in your seat with your binder, text, and a pen as soon as the period begins.
ASSIGNMENTS
· All assignments are due at the beginning of the period. If you turn the assignment in after it has been collected, it is considered late!
· Write legibly!
· Correct MLA heading is required on EVERY assignment, in the upper left-hand corner, as follows:
Name
Teacher
Subject
Date
PAPERS
All out-of-class written work must be typed on white paper in standard MLA format (12 point Times New Roman font and one-inch margins) unless the assignment gives you creative freedom, as some of them will. Papers are due at the beginning of class. If you come to class and ask to print your work in my classroom, another classroom, or the library, you work will be considered LATE. Part of your responsibility as a student is printing and stapling your work on your time, not during class time, so come prepared!
HOMEWORK
You can expect that you will be assigned homework each time that we meet. This can include: reading and answering study guide questions, vocabulary exercises, studying for quizzes and tests, writing and revising essays and other written work, preparing the research paper, completing projects. Your homework will be clearly written on the front board so that if you arrive early for class you can begin to write it down. Sometimes I may write additional homework onto the board toward the end of class. I will also review the homework orally. Homework is due at the next class meeting, unless otherwise specified by me. I do not accept late homework, so if you fail to turn in your homework, you will receive a zero for that assignment.
ATTENDANCE/TARDINESS
I expect you to be in your seat AND prepared for class by the time the opening bell rings. Prepared for class means that you are equipped with pen, text, binder, paper/notebook, AND assignment at the start of class. There will be no “locker runs” during class because this is disruptive and wastes too much valuable class time.
I will record absences/tardiness and report excessive absences/tardiness to the attendance office. As seniors, you should be well aware of the school attendance and lateness policies. As your teacher, I will enforce the school’s established attendance and lateness policies. You will get the most out of class when you are in class, so don’t disadvantage yourself by choosing to miss class if it can be helped.
Please be aware that four unexcused absences constitutes an "F" for the marking period notes as "Failure for Absences" and the number grade for this particular "F" is a 55. Four "lates" to class constitute one unexcused absence. Please be mindful that once the period bell has rung and my classroom door is closed you will automatically be marked in the computer system as "late."
GRADINGIn accordance with RMHS policy, each marking period is valued at 25% of your grade.
Grading will occur on a variety of assignments, including, but not limited to: writing, discussion responses, public speaking, group work, outside reading, tests, quizzes, homework, projects, presentations, binder checks, and participation. The grading policy is as follows:
Homework/Class work/Class Participation (30%) You will have some form of homework each night. Homework is due the next time the class meets, unless otherwise specified by the teacher.
You are expected to complete all in-class assignments in a timely fashion and will be graded accordingly. Class work will often include in-class writing assignments, group work, or individual tasks. These assignments should be completed during the allotted time. You should participate in class discussions and activities each time the class meets.
Assessments (40%) A test grade will be used for exams, major projects, and any formal writing assignments.
ü Exams will be announced in advance, and you will be told what will be found on the exam. The material found on tests comes from both the reading and class discussions. If you pay attention in class and take good notes, you should do quite well on your exams.
ü Formal writing assignments will be distributed in advance and due on the date specified. You will be expected to give a thoughtful, well-written response to each topic. Formal writing assignments must be typed and written in proper MLA format (proper heading, 12 point Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins)
ü You will be assigned at least one major project for each marking period. Lengthy projects will be given at least five school days before the due date, and should be completed according to the specifications set forth in the assignment handout. On occasion, a small portion of class time will be set aside for you to work on your project.
Quizzes (30%) A quiz might be announced in advance or a surprise! Always make sure to review your notes, do your reading and homework, and pay attention in class.
Tests/Quizzes
Students will be tested on each of the major works read for class. Tests will be announced in advance; quizzes may or may not be announced. The best way to prepare for both tests and quizzes is by keeping up with the assigned reading. Paying attention and taking copious notes will only help you when it comes time to prepare for your tests!
Essays/Projects
Essays and other large assignments or projects (work assigned at least two school days in advance) will be due on time, at the beginning of the period. If you are ill or cannot make it to school for any reason on the day an assignment is due, you must turn in the assignment the day you return to school. Failure to do so will result in a lower grade.
Late Work
If you turn in an assignment one day late, you will lose 10 points (one letter grade). If you turn in an assignment two days late, you will lose 20 points (2 letter grades). After two days, the assignment cannot be made up. These due dates include school days that our class doesn’t meet! Failure to turn in your work within two school days will result in a zero for that assignment.
Hint: Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your essay or project. Refer to your agenda book where you should be denoting all assignment due dates. Call a classmate if you are absent and/or have misplaced your planner.
IF YOU ARE ABSENT
· For regular daily assignments (other than projects and essays), you have as many days to make up the work as you have been excused for your absence. After that time has passed, regular late penalties will apply.
· Remember: I will not pursue you about your missed work; you must check with me or your fellow students, and get any notes or explanations from a classmate.
· For assignments that cannot go home, arrangements can be made for you before or after school or during lunch. Please schedule this make up with me in advance, and let me know what materials you will need.
· It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed by consulting with me or a classmate. Remember that your assignments are also posted on our class website (address can be found below). Students excused for school-sponsored activities will still be expected to complete missed work. Though your schedules are demanding, missed assignments will not be excused. Be responsible. Plan ahead.
IF YOU ARE IN DANGER OF FAILING because of low test grades, missing work, and/or absences/lateness, you can expect that I will be in regular contact with you, your counselor, and your parent/guardian by phone, email, or mail. If your grade falls below 65, you may be required to attend before or after school tutoring to bring your grade up to passing range. Remember, I am always here to help—you just have to ask!
If you have further questions or concerns, make an appointment to see me before/after school, or send me an e-mail message, and I will respond within 24 hours.
Please Note:
1) All students must pass four years of English in order to graduate. Thus, all students in English II must pass this course in order to receive their high school diploma.
2) Get into the habit of visiting our class website each day for the latest announcements, homework assignments, project due dates, and resources. This year, we will be using Edline, and you will be getting user names/passwords soon, if you haven’t already. Access the site here: www.edline.net
3) ALWAYS back up your work on a CD or other removable disk that you will use exclusively for this class. It is your responsibility to ensure that assignments are submitted in a timely fashion, and therefore, you should get into the habit of backing up your work so that it is never lost!
HELPFUL HINTS FOR SUCCEEDING IN THIS COURSE
THINK about what the author is trying to tell you.
QUESTION whether or not you agree with the author’s point of view.
CARE about your class studies.
RESPECT others, yourself, and your teacher.
LEARN more about yourself, others, and life through literature and the arts.