Mr. Ford's GT and Pre-AP

English Language Arts Class Guide

The following sections contain important information regarding communication, grading, resources, and expectations.

Communication

I am committed to maintaining open lines of communication throughout the year. The following list contains information about the five different means of communication I will use.

1. Remind: Remind is a free and safe texting service for parents and students. You can subscribe to my Pre-AP class or my GT class by texting:

GT Reading: @86644c to 81010

Pre-AP Reading: @33e8h7h to 81010

I will text reminders about projects, tests, and other important announcements.

Please subscribe!

2. Email: My address is jsford@lisd.org and I will check my mail at least once a day, usually in the mornings. Please let me know if your email or other contact information changes.

3. Progress Reports and Report Cards: If your child does not bring one home, please contact me or the school office.

4. Skyward: Skyward is a great resource for monitoring your child’s grades in every class. Please contact me or the school office if you need help setting up an account. When you are monitoring your child’s grades, please allow up to one week for the grades to be entered into the system.

5. Phone: You can reach me by phone during 2nd (9:09 - 10:10) or 6th period (1:56 - 2:56) or after school until 4:15 at (903) 446-2710 ext: 2744. Of course, you can schedule a face to face conference if you prefer.

Grading and Homework: Grading is a district policy and will be based on the following scale:

Tests and Projects: 40% - Daily Assignments: 50% - Homework: 10%

No extra credit will be given by any teacher.

Homework, late work and make up work are addressed in the GT Grading Policies document that was sent home for a parent signature. Please email me if you need another copy.

Students are allowed to correct tests for a 70. Corrections must be made on a separate piece of paper. Do not erase any of the original work, then turn it in on or before the due date.

*Important* I will only allow students to make up two missed assignments every six weeks.

Resources: Students will receive textbooks that they can keep at home this year with access to an online book and tutorials. Please watch for more information about the sign in codes and website information. Other resources will be on the class website. Students may reach our online text book through the link on this website as well as through Foster's main website under "For Students" section.

Google Classroom: This year Google Classroom will be a highly used resource for your child. It is a platform for students to use to submit homework and prepare for class. I recommend you gain access to it through your student's login. Everyday I will post a video of what we did in class. If you have a printer, I will try to post all assignment there so that they can be printed as well.

Use the codes to access your child's classroom:

• 1st Period Pre-AP: 7d74w63
• 3rd Period Pre-AP: jevrwsp
• 4th Period GT: 3jo7pml
• 5th Period GT: qxtasm7
• 7th Period GT: yeiprw6

Edpuzzle: Your child will have some assignments through Edpuzzle this year. It is a video platform that allows me to assign instructional videos that pause and ask questions throughout the video to check for comprehension. It is a very valuable educational tool that I believe will be especially valuable this school year.

Flipgrid: I will be using Flipgrid this year as a platform for student presentation. This allows your child to respond to questions or present projects by video.

Classroom Rules: The classroom rules are the first level of the overall campus behavior plan. See the Campus Disciplinary Policies for details regarding disciplinary expectations.

I am so happy to be teaching your child and I am looking forward to a wonderful school year!

Joe Ford

GT and Pre-AP English Language Arts and Reading