Syllabus
Course Description
Reading
Students will be introduced to a balance of complex texts with collections of fiction, nonfiction, and informational texts in a blend of digital and print format from the HMH Collections textbook. Students are expected to keep up with the reading and need to come to class prepared to discuss and respond to the reading.
Writing
Students will compose both formal and informal writing assignments as well as process and timed writing assignments. Students are expected to complete essays in MLA format and include a corresponding Works Cited page. Essays must reference reliable, academic sources. Students will demonstrate their ability to analyze complex texts, determine evidence, reason critically, and communicate thoughtfully.
A-G Requirements
English 2P satisfies 1 year of the B (English) requirement of the A-G requirements for UC and CSU eligibility. You need a total of 4 years in B (English). A grade of C or better is required to meet the requirement.
Textbooks and Materials
Students will check out one textbook from the school bookstore and a couple longer works throughout the year:
Collections 10
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Night by Elie Wiesel
Students will also check out a Chrome Book from the school that they are expected to bring to class fully charged each day.
Organization
Students must keep all of their work organized chronologically in a section of their binder dedicated to this course. Even after work is graded and passed back, students must keep their work until the end of the year. Please show Ms. Dinh if there is another organization system that works for you.
Grades
Grades will be updated regularly on Aeries. Therefore, you should be aware at all times of how well you are doing. Progress reports or a poor grade should not come as a surprise. Please do your best to remember that I do not give out grades; I just record the grade that you earn.
Weighted Grading
Your overall grade for the class will be weighted by assignment type, not category.
40% Formative: Includes assignments that form knowledge, are low-stakes, and provide feedback on your learning progress toward the summative goal.
60% Summative: Includes assignments that measure your progress at the end of an instructional unit, are high-stakes and final, and evaluate your mastery of learning objectives.
Assignment Categories
Assignments will be sorted into categories to help us identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement throughout the course.
Writing: Includes all formal writing assignments, process essays, in-class timed writes, paragraphs etc.
Coursework: Includes activities and tasks completed during class or for homework.
Tests and Quizzes: Includes reading checks, vocabulary quizzes, quarterly benchmarks, tests, etc.
Performance Tasks: Includes academic discussions, group work, projects, presentations, etc.
Assignment Scores
Grading is based on mastery of knowledge and skills required by the California Common Core State Standards as demonstrated through assessment evidence. Every assignment will be given a level of mastery score on a scale of 1-5 as detailed below. The final grade of each semester will be calculated by the weighted averages of summative and formative assignments, and a letter grade will be assigned according to the scale to the right.
Always keep your work after it is handed back and double-check to see if the score you received is correctly reflected on Aeries. I will happily fix any errors as soon as you tell me!
You will have opportunities to redo selected assignments or retest to demonstrate a possible higher level of mastery. If a higher level of mastery is demonstrated, it will replace the lower score for that assignment or assessment.
Final Grades
Late Work
To receive full credit, assignments must be complete and ready to turn in at the beginning of the class period. I would like all students to complete all assigned work, even if submitted late. However, to be fair to those who make the effort to complete their work on time, there is a penalty for submitting late work.
The sooner you turn in late work, the better. If you wait too long, you will fall behind in learning. The very last day to turn in any late work is exactly one week before finals.
Please fill out the missing assignment form if your assignment is marked as missing on Aeries.
Absent?
It is the student’s responsibility to find out what they missed when they are absent. Always check Google Classroom to see what you missed. What we are doing in class each day is posted in Google Classroom every day, including the daily agenda, assignments, and materials, and is organized by date. If you know you are going to be absent ahead of time e.g. for field trips, athletics, or other activities, it is always best to make prior arrangements. If there are reasonable, special circumstances regarding your absence, you may request extended deadlines or alternative assignments.
Attendance and Tardy Policy
The school’s attendance and tardy policies will be enforced.
Tardies
If you are not in your assigned seat when the bell rings, you are tardy!
If you are were with another teacher or school staff member, be sure you have a pass.
When you arrive, find your seat with the least possible disruption.
If you are not here, you are not learning, and therefore, will not pass. If you have excessive tardies or absences due to extenuating circumstances, please come talk to me. You do not have to share every detail of your personal life, but if I don’t know anything at all, I won’t be able to help you. I will always try my best to understand and work something out with you so that you can get your work done.
Academic Honesty
Your written work shows me what you gather from our discussion of literature. Do not duplicate work that is not yours, whether it is from a peer or the Internet. Always cite sources that you use. Plagiarism and cheating are taken seriously and are punishable to the fullest extent.
You earn your grade by showing what you have learned academically and personally. Always do your best work. Remember: if your name is on it, you should be proud of it. You don’t have to be the best, just your best!
Assistance
Students who find the work difficult should see me early in the semester and we can figure out a plan to get back on track together. It is essential for any student experiencing difficulty to still do all the assigned work. It is possible for a student who has difficulties on tests to pass the class by doing all the assignments, especially all the writing assignments.
Tutoring
Tutoring is available via our school's Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) program. Look for general or ELA sessions here: https://sites.google.com/ggusd.net/gghselo/home
Citizenship
Be courteous. Be respectful. Unkindness will negatively affect a student’s citizenship grade. Life is short and we always regret unkindness later. You will be treated as a member of our learning community and expected to act accordingly. The rules of common sense and courtesy will be followed by all.
Behavior Policy
Classroom expectations will be clearly communicated and modeled at the beginning of the school year to ensure a safe and positive classroom environment for all students. I understand that everyone has bad days from time to time, but my job is to foster a community space where learning can take place. Therefore, students will be held accountable for all behaviors that disrupt an effective learning environment and all incidents will be documented.
Positive Behaviors
Positive behavior will be noticed and rewarded to the best of my ability! Students may receive verbal praise, Argo Cash, bonus privileges around the classroom, and/or positive communication home. Please advocate for yourself if you feel like I haven't noticed you in awhile. Ü
Problem Behaviors
Behaviors that distract from and disrupt an effective learning environment and/or jeopardize our safe space as a community of learners will be addressed more or less according to the following system:
When a student exhibits problem behavior, they will receive a non-verbal and/or verbal warning.
Then I will talk to the student 1:1 to address the problem behavior, discuss the appropriate behavior, remind the student of the classroom expectations, and resume class activity.
If the problem behavior persists, the student’s seat may be moved, the student may be isolated, the student may be held back after class, or the student may be escorted out of the class.
Depending on the unique situation, the student's parent/guardian(s), counselor, assistant principal, and/or other teachers may be contacted, and the situation will be escalated as needed.