Winchester High School

Course Expectations

College Preparatory English

Fall 2009

 

The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.

—Aristotle 

 

 

            This course seeks to prepare high school juniors and seniors for the rigors of college academics.  We will focus on the skills successful students use to excel at the university level.  Although literature will be the occasion for our work, the work itself will specifically focus on improving the skills one needs for higher education:  grammar, vocabulary, reading carefully, writing thoughtfully, researching thoroughly, and speaking eloquently. 

            This will not be an easy class. You have chosen to improve difficult skills and it will take hard work and dedication on your part to be successful.  I cannot provide the motivation you need (motivation comes from within), but I will make every effort to help you find the inspiration necessary to feed the motivation you provide. 

            *Note:  One of my goals this year is to create a paperless class room.  This means that the majority of the assignment and teaching materials will be distributed electronically.  If you do not have regular access to a working computer, please talk to me after class. 

 

Materials:

            *A multi-subject spiral notebook devoted to this course.

            *Electronic storage media (flash drive).

            *Elements of Style, Strunk & White. (Available free online.)

            *A positive attitude and an open mind.

           

Guidelines:

            *No Food or Drinks in class except water.

            *Please refrain from bathroom breaks during first ½  hour of class.

            *Cell phones should be off and remain in backpacks during class.

            *Be in seat ready to begin when the tardy bell rings.

 

            Grading Policies:

                        *Late work will be penalized 1/3 grade per calendar day.  If you miss

                        class on a day prior to an “off” day,  your work is still due the next

                        day.  Work turned in on the next day of class will be considered

                        two days late. There is a reason for this policy (I’m really not mean

                        spirited.)  Success in college is predicated upon you getting your work in

                        on-time.  It functions more like a business—if your work is late, or if you

                        miss a major exam, you will not be allowed to make it up.  Moreover, if

                        you fall behind, the pace is such that it is nearly impossible to catch up. 

           

                        *Any work either turned in or assigned during an unexcused absence (cut)

                        will receive a zero.  An excused absence on the day a major assignment is

                        due does not grant automatic extended time without my prior approval.