English I (Pre-AP): Syllabus

Please print a copy of this syllabus, have a parent sign it, and bring it to class

Mr. Mikesell - Rm. 138
cmikesell@dallasisd.org
http://mikesell128.blogspot.com
Tutorial hours: Mon. & Thurs. 4:30–5:30p
Mornings by appointment

English I (Pre-AP) SYLLABUS

“Life is short. Learn hard.”

Course Outline
Through this course students will continue to develop higher-order thinking skills through the analysis, evaluation, and critique of literature. This course is also designed to lay and/or build upon the foundation for students as they take advanced levels of English. Students will learn from set objectives established for them to be successful in exams, in other classes, and in life.

Class Norms

• Be Prepared
• Be Positive
• Be Polite
• Be Participators

(Campus/district policies will be observed also)

Homework
Homework will be assigned regularly. Much of it will be outside reading; otherwise it will usually be due before the tardy bell rings two days after the assignment. Homework will not be accepted the same period that it is assigned. Classwork not finished in class will be treated as homework, with the same deadlines/penalties.

Late Work
Students who have not turned in homework within the first 5 minutes of class the day it is due will be assigned to the after-school Patriot Academy. Work turned in within two days of the due date will be accepted with a 15% grade reduction. Each week an assignment is late will result in an extra 15% reduction in grade.

Consequences
1st Offense: warning
2nd Offense: hallway “conference”
3rd Offense: call to parent
4th Offense: administrative referral
(Fighting, drug- and gang-related activity will result in immediate administrative/security involvement)

Classroom Entry Procedure
To make entry into the classroom as smooth as possible, please make sure you’re observing dress code policies. Do not block the door tucking in your shirt, adjusting your ID badge, etc. Once you’ve entered the room, please get your journal. Find your desk and begin the bellringer exercise. Pencils should be sharpened before the tardy bell rings.

Spelling / Vocabulary / Grammar / Punctuation
All are important, and students are expected to turn in assignments with proper care taken in each of these areas.

Notes and Keeper Sheets
Take notes (we will review the Cornell system in the first semester). You will also be provided with “Keeper” sheets reviewing the basics of key areas we’ll be studying. Keep them all handy. Use them for studying.

Classroom Supplies
Bring these to class every day:

• A 3-ring binder, at least an inch thick
• 5 dividers for the binder (see "English Binder," below)
• A 70-page spiral notebook
• Filler paper (loose-leaf notebook paper)
• Blue or black pens, pencils, highlighters
• A great attitude

Dishonesty
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. At a minimum, zeroes will be recorded in the grade book for either offense, for all parties involved in the cheating or copying. Additional consequences may apply.

Grading Scale (district standard)
40% Classwork/Homework
25% Tests
20% Projects
15% Six-weeks Exam

Major Texts (Pre-AP English I)
How to Read Literature Like a Professor* by Thomas C. Foster
Mythology* by Edith Hamilton
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (6W2)
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (6W3)
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (6W4)
(Lightning Thief will be accompanied by excerpts from The Odyssey by Homer and other classic literature)
Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare (6W5)
(Please get the No Fear Shakespeare edition)
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card (6W6)
*Strongly recommended

Essays
Writing is an integral part of this course. We will spend time reviewing and learning good grammar usage, style, and voice in class, but for many students class time is not enough. If this is the case for you, attending tutoring will help. The essay can “make or break” your EOC score as well as your 6-weeks grade.

Leaving the Classroom
Permission to leave the classroom once the tardy bell has rung will be granted in emergency situations. Please monitor your liquid intake: only one restroom pass per student will be granted each month.

Test Make-Up
Students who fail a test will be assigned to the next Patriot Academy opportunity. Students MUST attend the Post-Test Tutorial before they may retest or submit test corrections.

English Binder
You must bring an English Binder to class daily. This is a 3-ring binder at least 1-inch thick (if you are sharing the binder with another subject, it must be larger). There should be 5 tab dividers in the binder labeled as follows

1. Classwork/Homework
2. Essays
3. Tests
4. Personal Dictionary
5. Extra Paper

When this syllabus is returned to you, it should go in front of the first tab divider.

Up to two binder grades will be taken every 6-weeks, which will count as project grades.

You CANNOT leave your binder in this classroom. Not only is it a tool to help you study, but in the past, theft/vandalism has been a problem.

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My child has shown and discussed with me the syllabus for his/her English class.

I will do my best to provide the support he/she needs to be successful in class.

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Student Name

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Parent Signature

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Phone number