English II 2022-2023 School Year
Contact Information
Instructor: Ms. Charlisa Pratt
Room: B211
Phone Number: 281-245-2232, ext. 5021
Email: cpratt@alvinisd.net
In order to create the optimal learning experience, it is imperative to have open communication between parents, students, and myself. I enjoy speaking to both my students and their parents and will return calls, emails, and form requests within 36-hours of receiving them.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
English 2 Units of Study:
These classes are run in a reading and writing workshop format. Units have a theme and are skill-focused units. We will read, write, think, and talk about our reading, writing, and thinking every day.
Unit 1: First 20 Days
Reading focus: Choice Novels/Fiction
Writing Focus: Personal Essay using "This I believe."
Big Idea Question(s): Why do words matter?
Unit 2: Moving Forward
Reading Focus: Argumentative
Core text -Hiroshima by John Hersey
Writing Focus: Argumentative and Persuasive essay
Big Idea Questions: How does your environment shape your identity?
Unit 3: Overcoming Obstacles
Reading Focus: Book Club/Informational Texts
Writing Focus: Informational-Awareness letter
Big Idea Question: How do our actions impact the future?
Unit 4: Drama & Poetry
Reading Focus: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde & Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Writing Focus: Debate/speech
Big Idea Questions: What is the dark side of loyalty?
Unit 5: Research
Reading Focus: Multi-genre/ Nonfiction book club
Writing Focus: Research
Big Idea Questions: How does who we were guide who we will become?
Unit 5.5: Mini unit on Testing as a Genre
Writing Focus: Revising previous work
Big Idea Questions: How can test prep help you?
Unit 6: Full Circle to Personalize Unit 1
Reading Focus: Independent reading or self-selected book clubs
Writing Focus: Narrative/Personal Digital Narrative
Big Idea Questions: Why do your words matter?
CLASS EXPECTATIONS AND NORMS
Students will create their own norms for our classroom environment to foster accountability. My personal expectations are as follows:
READY: When the tardy bell rings be prepared for class.
RESPECTFUL: Follow teacher directions the first time. Respect yourself and others. Respect school equipment and property. Respect my time.
RESPONSIBLE: Have necessary supplies. Turn in completed assignments on time.
Phones/Headphones:
Phones, devices, and headphones should be out of sight during class unless the lesson specifically calls for the use of a device. Smart watches should be on airplane mode in order to avoid distractions. Given the current circumstances we find ourselves in, we will use electronics much more often, therefore it is vital we govern our use and avoid getting off task. Electronic use is only permitted during approved times and must remain academic. Non-academic use will result in confiscation.
Consequences:
If a device is confiscated, it will be surrendered to the office, and a fine will be required in order to reclaim your device. Refusal to surrender the device to the teacher will result in an automatic assignment of two days of ISS. NOTE TO PARENTS: Please be aware of the times that your student is in class and refrain from texting or calling during that time. The most common excuse I get when a student is using a phone is their parent contacted them, and they will be in trouble if they don't respond. I do not accept this as an excuse. If an emergency arises, please contact the front office, and they will reach us accordingly.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
All students will be held to and expected to maintain high expectations for behavior in class. For those students who choose to not uphold these expectations or disrupt our class environment, the result will be any of the following consequences:
· Verbal warning
· 1 Minute conference
· Call parents
· Referral to Grade level AP
TUTORING AVAILABILITY
I will be available after school on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:50-3:35 pm. If you would like to meet with me, please email me to request scheduling. I will be available for conferences in person, over the phone, or virtually on Google Meet during 4th period on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and after school until 3:30 (by appointment only).
GRADING POLICY
Grades for this course will follow the grade breakdown standard for Manvel High School and are as follows:
Daily/Minor Assignments: 60%
Major Assessments: 40%
Total: 100%
GRADE EXPECTATIONS:
Grades will reflect student learning and growth. Students are expected to turn in work on time (or early). Failure to submit assignments in a timely manner may result in the assignment of mandatory tutorials and/or point deductions. Once an assignment is 3 days late, students may not get higher than a 70, and I will not accept work submitted after the three days unless it is completed in tutorials by the fourth day before the end of the grading cycle. Late work will absolutely not be accepted during those four days. Failure to complete all assignments may result in withholding the opportunity to test until all assignments and quizzes have been attempted.
PLAGIARISM POLICY:
Plagiarism (claiming someone else’s work as your own) is not acceptable under any circumstances. We will study and imitate many authors over the course of the year, but students are required to create unique works for every assignment. Many students choose to copy someone else, because they feel their writing is not strong enough. English classes are about experimenting and gaining mastery/understanding. You cannot become better writers without taking the risk of writing from where you are and learning how to polish it to become better. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and NO ONE is perfect. All writing assignments will be submitted to Google Classroom and subject to a plagiarism check. Students who plagiarize or otherwise cheat will be subject to a parent/teacher/student conference, the option to redo the work for up to 70% of the original grade, and will be required to attend tutorials for a negotiable span. If a student plagiarizes or otherwise cheats a second time, there will be a student/teacher/parent/AP/counselor conference, a zero for the assignment, and further disciplinary action as per said students’ AP requires. Unfortunately, the world of education is small, and it is imperative to learn the missteps of this now before even greater consequences in college and/or the greater world.
RE-DO POLICY:
Students may make corrections and resubmit assignments as many times as necessary to show mastery of skills until the last week of each grading period. The aim every day is to be better than we were the day before!
MAKE UP WORK:
If an absence is necessary, it is the student’s responsibility to gather and complete the work missed. Do not ask about make-up work during whole group instruction. Students may send an email or attend tutorial hours to receive assignments. Please note that attending tutorials the same day as an absence will not make up for the absence of that day. If absent for a test or timed writing assignments, the student is responsible for attending the assigned makeup test date posted on the classroom calendar. Excused absences will receive the number of days missed to complete work. Be mindful of when grading periods end. An “I”/incomplete is the same as ineligible for UIL participation, so some assignments may need to be completed in less time than the number of days the absence allows.
HINTS FOR DOING WELL IN MS. PRATT’S CLASS:
§ Attend Class every day ready to learn—this means be on time, be prepared, be engaged!
§ Keep up with the homework assignments and reading.
§ Come to tutorials and always ask for help when you need it.
§ Be consistent with your writing. The length and content are both important!
§ Get a good night’s sleep before exams.
§ Remember, it is YOUR responsibility to keep up with the material in class. Waiting until the night before the exam to try to learn the materials is a good way to fail an exam.
HOKA HEY!
*Students, in lieu of a signature sheet, please go to the form in this link to verify receiving this and to tell me everything you think I need to know about you. Thank you so much!! Student Survey
** Parents, in lieu of a signature sheet, please go to the form in this link to verify receiving this and to tell me a little about your child. Thank you so much!! Parent Survey