Welcome to my online classroom.
English Class Rules & Expectations Due: ___ Mrs. Moore/Room 18 – Florence High School School Phone Number: (254) 793-2495 ext. 5313 School e-mail: bmoore@florenceisd.net
Dear Student and Parent(s)/Guardian(s):I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself and express my eagerness to work with your child this year. I believe students can grow and develop by examining the issues we cover in class. The main goal of my course is to instill an appreciation of literature, and equip your student to pass the STAAR English I/II exam in March. Over the course of this year, we will read several novels, short stories, and plays, as well as newspaper articles and write many of our own pieces. Also note that if you ever have any comments, questions or concerns, I would be happy to address them with you. You can reach me the fastest by email (bmoore@florenceisd.net). I check this periodically throughout the day. I would also be happy to meet with you. To schedule a meeting, you may contact me via my email address or the school telephone number (254) 793-2495 ext: 5313.
TO OUR STUDENTSIf you ever feel frustrated, please schedule an individual conference with me. I am here to help you succeed. I will always believe in your abilities. I will listen to you, SO I ask that you bring questions, concerns or comments to me in a respectful manner. I will be respectful with you, and I will require that others are respectful in our class. Please let me know if you ever feel that someone has been disrespectful to you. There is no busy work. It is all important. If you do not understand the importance, please ask. Because we learn from each other, your opinion matters. Please share your viewpoint every day! Extra credit opportunities present themselves throughout each quarter and can raise students’ grades; however, extra credit is not given in place of regular credit. I do hand out progress reports every 2 weeks. Extra Credit is counted as a homework grade. The class syllabus attached to this page. Please read that syllabus and sign the detachable portion on the bottom of this note in order to indicate your understanding and support of the classroom system. There is also space provided for you to express any questions, concerns or comments. Students should return that portion to me and receive a 100 for a homework grade. English I Syllabus The course in English I is a TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) based two-semester, high school course for freshmen. The classroom instruction and assignment will be divided into the following units: 1st Nine Weeks: Unit 1: Fiction and Literary Nonfiction: With a focus on fiction and literary nonfiction we will analyze and create writing using complex literary elements and techniques. We will look at various literature including classical, mythical, and traditional 20th and 21st century works representing a wide range of cultures and backgrounds to provide the avenues for students to make inferences, summarize, synthesize, and provide textual evidence. Students will make personal and world connections across contexts and genres while integrating listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Unit 2A: Poetry: We will analyze and create poetry based on genre-specific literary techniques. A range of diverse cultures and backgrounds will provide the avenue for making inferences, summarizing, synthesizing, and providing textual evidence. Students will continue to make personal and world connections across contexts and genres while integrating listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. 2nd Nine Weeks: Unit 2B: Drama: In this unit, we will learn about dramatic forms, how they enhance dramatic works, and encourage appreciation of dramatic text while moving towards writing our own scripts. A range of diverse cultures and backgrounds will provide the avenue for making inferences, summarizing, synthesizing, and providing textual evidence. Students will continue to make personal and world connections across contexts and genres while integrating listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Unit 3: Informational Text: The goal of this unit is to provide students the skills to analyze and use information in procedural and expository text by making inferences and drawing complex conclusions. Analysis of informational texts facilitates understanding and use of structures and organizational patterns in reading and writing. 3rd Nine Weeks: Unit 4: Intentional Persuasion: This unit addresses persuasive materials (speeches, web pages, online information, documentaries, commercials, blogs, newspapers) for the purpose of shaping perceptions and beliefs about reality. Students will examine media and text to determine how it is presented and what factors affect the way it is created. Through this study, students identify and analyze persuasive techniques in order to incorporate them in their own writing and to facilitate informed decision making. Unit 5A: Genre Connections: Students will reexamine literary and informational text to make important personal and world connections within and across different contexts and genres. This will help to prepare students for the STAAR English I and II exam, which will take place at the end of March. 4th Nine Weeks: Unit 5B: College and Career Literacy: Students read expository and procedural text, write work-related documents, and deepen their understanding of fiction through independent reading of self-selected or teacher-assigned texts. Unit 6: Inquiring Minds/Myth and Legend: Students formulate research to address an issue of personal interest and follow a plan to compile data from reliable, valid, and accurate sources in order to make judgments about what is relevant and credible. Achieving our classroom goal (outlined below) will require the cooperation of parents/ guardians, students and teachers. I believe all students have the ability to shape their own lives, education and futures in positive ways. My goal this year is to have all students recognize their abilities and use that power to improve. We will use the study of vocabulary and literature. In order to achieve this goal, we will need supplies, organization and procedures. These are outlined below.
Required Supplies*Three-ring binder (1 inch) for English only; *Binder dividers (3-4) to divide your work into specified categories; *Loose leaf paper with clean edges (no ‘fringes’); keep in binder; *Pens or pencils in black or blue; *Index cards (for vocab activities)
CLASS ORGANIZATIONNotebook: (2 inch binder or larger) Most of your materials will be kept in your binder. You must bring this binder to class every day: there will be containers available to leave your binder in the classroom. Label its dividers according to the model below.
RULESAll Florence High School and FISD rules will apply in our classroom. Students are also asked to
PROCEDURESAt the beginning of class:
During class:
At the end of class:
POLICIES Homework
Late Work
Students will not be allowed to turn in bulk work at the end of the term. TardiesPlease be seated and ready to begin at the appropriate time. Three tardies are equal to one unexcused absence.
Absences
CLASSROOM CULTURE We will work hard to have a positive classroom atmosphere, and we will celebrate in several ways (positive phone calls, increased privileges, etc.). In instances where that atmosphere is disrupted, consequences will include teacher detentions, parent/guardian contacts and administrative referrals. GRADES
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Detachable portion: to be completed andreturned to the teacherPlease read the attached syllabus and then sign below to indicate your understanding and support of the classroom system.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------- (Parent Signature) (Parent Printed Name) (Date)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------- (Parent email and phone number) Questions, comments or concerns (including information you would like me to note such as a medical concern about your child, updated contact information for you, etc.): _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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