Syllabus

Dear Parents/Guardians,

           I would like to introduce myself and welcome you and your child to my English III class.  My name is Hanna Johnson. I am a graduate of LSU and a firm believer that every child can be a success. The success of your child will depend largely on him/her and the amount of responsibility, respect and responsiveness demonstrated in class. Grades will be a combination of tests, quizzes, writing assignments, participation in class and homework. There are some rules and procedures that each student must abide by in order for me to maintain a suitable classroom environment. I have read the following rules and procedures with your child, and ask that you read them as well, and have him/her return the bottom portion with your signature(s).

Classroom Rules and Procedures

Rules

1.       Be respectful to self, teacher, others and school property.

·       No talking while teacher or any other student is talking.

·       Raise your hand and wait to be called on

·       Do not pass notes, do work for another class, groom, or SLEEP in class.

·       The use of cell phones or any other electronic device is not allowed.

·       Never touch another person or their property without permission.

·       Keep the classroom neat and free of trash/graffiti.

·       No eating/drinking in class unless permission is granted by teacher.

2.       Be responsible

·       Report to class on time and fully prepared and ready to participate and contribute to the class.

·       Report immediately to your assigned seat, and begin work on the bell ringer assignment.

·       The student is responsible to find out what was missed due to an absence. It is imperative that work is made up in a timely fashion to ensure the correct grade on report cards.

***Remember: Grades are NOT given in this class, they are EARNED. (i.e. the grade you earn will always reflect the amount of work you put in.) The student will be responsible for maintaining a grade sheet, and I strongly urge parents to check these, as well as Parent Command Center periodically.

3.       Follow all rules, guidelines and procedures outlined in the student handbook.

Procedures

1.       Enter class calmly; sit in your seat, and begin the bell ringer

2.       Participate, and encourage others to participate, to the best of your ability.

3.       Abide by all district, school, and classroom rules and procedures.

·       Classroom Rules

1.       Take responsibility for your education

2.       Take responsibility for your choices.

3.       Practice the Golden Rule (RESPECT).

4.       Take care of all business outside of class.

5.       Schedule an individual conference with me to address problems, concerns, or access additional support.

·       Discipline procedures for disruptions or infractions:

1.       Verbal Warning

2.       Parent Contact and Lunch Detention

3.       Behavior Clinic

4.       Parent Contact/Disciplinarian

Daily Agenda

The agenda will be written on the white board every day. It is the responsibility of the student to come into class, read the agenda, and begin the first task, which is the ACT bell ringer.

Bell Ringer

All ACT bell ringers will be completed in your bell ringer journal.  You will also have a bell ringer and exit ticket each day pertaining to the lesson. This will be completed on a special sheet I will give you.

Early Finishers

If a student finishes his/her work early, he/she may work on another assignment, study, or read a book. Students may NOT sleep, disturb others, or leave the classroom. If a student is sleeping or disturbing others, a lunch detention will be given.

Grading Scale

90-100 A

80-89    B

70-79    C

60-69    D

Below 60  F

Cheating

Cheating will NOT be tolerated. The policies set forth by Iota High School and the Acadia Parish School Board will be followed in the instance of cheating and/or plagiarism.

Make-Up Work

Students are responsible for all material covered in class during their absence. Arrangements for make-ups should be made upon the first day of returning to school. Anything missing in the gradebook will be marked with an ‘X’ which averages it in as a ‘O’ until the work is made up.

Late Work

If a student does not turn his/her work in on the designated due date, he/she will receive 10% off on 1st day late, 25% off on the 2nd day late, and 50% off on all days thereafter. The online grade book will show a ‘X’ until the assignment is turned in, which factors it in as a ‘O’. It is your responsibility to know what you missed or haven’t turned in yet.

Grade Recovery

Every 9 weeks, students will be allowed to choose 2 tests OR quizzes to retake for an averaged grade on that particular assignment. Students may opt out by signing an ‘opt-out agreement’.

Cell Phones and Headphones:

Students are not allowed to use cellphones in class unless the teacher instructs to do so. I have headphones if and when necessary.

Chromebook Rules:

1. Chromebooks should be closed while teacher is talking unless directed otherwise (professional courtesy).

2. Do not change settings or download anything unless instructed to do so.

3. Comments/chat conversations must be school appropriate.

4. Only school approved apps may be utilized with teacher’s permission.

5. Keep water or other drinks on the floor when the Chromebook is on your desk.

6. Students seen not working on the assignment Chromebook activity or on websites not assigned to go to by the teacher, they will receive a referral after a verbal warning.

The Academic Year

1st 9wks: Unit 1: “We the People” The Crucible (Early America/ Narrative Writing)

2nd 9wks: Unit 2: “Free and Independent” Into the Wild (Transcendentalism & Romanticism /Informative Writing)

3rd 9wks: Unit 4: “Our Lives Our Fortunes” The Great Gatsby (American Modernism/ Argumentative Writing)

4th 9wks: Unit 3: No Strangers Here (Realism, Naturalism, and Regionalism/Literary Analysis Writing)

Materials Needed:   Wide-Ruled Paper, Binder, Pens/Pencils, 1 Marble Journal, and Highlighters

**Materials you may also want to purchase: Note cards, Folder, loose leaf paper

Contact Info:

         I am always available to my students and their parents. I value my students and any issue they or their parents might need to discuss.  Please do not hesitate to contact me for any needs or concerns you might have throughout this school year.  My job is to help students reach their fullest potential – a job I take very seriously.  My planning period is daily from 9:46 am-10:46am.

School: 337-779-2534

E-mail: hjohnson@acadia.k12.la.us

***E-mail is the fastest and most productive way to get in contact with me, as I check it multiple times a day.

Please refer often to my school website.  I include updates about each class, homework, grades, and assignments/projects. 

Ms. Johnson’s Website:  http://www.tinyurl.com/ihsjohnson