Comp/Lit I Syllabus

Mission Statement: 

We Are Hayden. A Roman Catholic High School nurturing relationship with Jesus Christ while pursuing excellence in Faith, Academics, Community, Tradition, and Service. 

General Expectations: 

• Respect: Respect is the number one rule in my class. As a Hayden student and a member of a Catholic community, you are called to treat every person with respect and dignity, even when it's difficult. You must rise above petty grievances and show kindness even to those with whom you disagree. Failing to do so will have consequences.

• Preparation: Be prepared and in your seat when the bell rings. If you are in my room during passing period, then you should already be in your seat. Make sure that you have everything that you will need for class (i.e. charged Chromebook, pencil, paper, textbook, etc.). You will be counted tardy if you do not have everything you need.

• Participation: Be active in your participation in class discussions and activities. You will need to think and work for yourself. Don’t expect your classmates to do everything for you. Participation points may be given at times designated by me, so behavior such as falling asleep or playing games during class will have consequences.

• Accountability: Be responsible and accountable for yourself. Make sure you come to class prepared and turn your assignments in on time. If you don’t understand something, it is your responsibility to ask questions. If you are absent due to sports, events, an illness, or some other reason, it is your responsibility to come see me about what you need to make up.

Standards: 

Each unit of the curriculum consists of lessons that meet the Kansas and Catholic standards for English language arts as students develop and use critical thinking through writing, close reading, and relating literature's ideas to their present and future; students will also use the MLA documentation and formatting style. 

Material: 

Throughout the year, we will be using a variety of sources, including textbooks, novels, and digital media. We will be using The Language of Literature by McDougal Littell for our textbook. Below are specific materials that you will need to have:

• Pencils

• Note cards (3x5 inch)

• A Notebook (for this class only)

Grading: 

Grades are determined by the number of points earned divided by the total points possible each semester. I do not weight tests and assignments— so failing to do your homework will hurt your grade even if you test well. I rarely give out extra credit, and it is only offered to the class, not to specific students. Do not come asking for extra credit opportunities. 

Retakes: 

If you do not do well on a particular test, you are permitted to take one retake during each semester for a maximum score of 75 percent. You must schedule the retake within 3 days of receiving the graded test. You are also permitted to rewrite one writing assignment to improve your writing and your grade. You will have 2 weeks after the assignment is handed back to complete the rewrite.

Assignments: 

All assignments are due at the beginning of class unless instructed otherwise. This policy includes both handwritten and digital assignments. 

Late Work Policy:

 Late work will be recorded as a zero until turned in. It will be 10% off if turned in by the next school day (NOT the next class period). After that it will be 50% off and accepted until the assignment has been graded and handed back to the class.

Late work will not be accepted after the end of a unit.

I am aware that life can be unpredictable and chaotic at times. If you know that you will be unable to get an assignment completed by the due date, you need to come talk to me before or after school, or during my plan period. This must be done before the assignment is due. 

Absence:

 If you are absent from school, check Google Classroom to see what you missed. If the instructions are unclear, you need materials from me, or nothing is posted, come see me to discuss what you need to make up. Do NOT wait until next class to talk to me. Missed work is due five days after you return, unless your absence was due to sports or a school event—in such cases, missing work will be due next class. 

Being absent due to field trips, games, or other school-related events will NOT excuse you from assignments that are due. If an assignment is due on the day of an event, it needs to be turned in before you leave or it will be counted late. Such assignments should be turned in during passing period, NOT while I am teaching another class. 

Additionally, it is YOUR responsibility to keep up with activities and assignments that are provided while you are absent. Leaving early for a game, or even an appointment, does NOT mean you get to ignore any assignments that you missed.

Plagiarism:

Defined as taking someone else’s work or ideas and presenting them as your own. Includes the following:

• Copying all or part of someone’s work

• Using a source without proper citations

• Working with someone else on an independent assignment

• Using AI as your own work

Students caught plagiarizing will receive a zero for the assignment and school administration will be notified. Retakes will NOT be allowed for plagiarized assignments or tests. Anything that is copy and pasted onto an assignment will be considered plagiarized and automatically receive a zero. 

Behavior Points:

Each week, you will receive 5 behavior points. These points are earned by following all class rules and demonstrating respect toward your classmates, your teacher, and the learning environment. Points will be deducted for any rule violations, disruptive actions, or disrespectful behavior. These points are part of your grade and are intended to encourage you to meet expectations consistently. 

Consequences for Misbehavior:

• First offense: Verbal warning

• Second offense: Stay after class

• Third offense: After-school detention followed by parent email

• Further offenses: Visit with the Dean of Students, Mr. Tetuan.

All offenses after the first will also result in an automatic deduction of behavior points.

Language:

As Christians, we are called to live to a higher standard—one that reflects who we are in Christ. As such, profanity is not acceptable in the classroom. Below are the consequences for failing to speak in a way that reflects our call to integrity and purpose.

• Donate $1 for each word to the class swear jar (all donations will go to the church and/or Campus Ministry)

OR

• Spend 1 minute after the bell for each word

Phones:

Phones and earbuds are not to be used in the classroom. During class, phones must be turned off and in your bookbag, not in your pocket. Repeated phone/smartwatch violations will result in the following consequences:

• First offense: Your phone will be held until the end of the class period.

• Second offense: You will receive a detention, and your phone will be taken to the Dean of Students, Mr. Tetuan.

• Third offense: You will receive a detention and lose a behavior point. You will also receive a discipline point and lose all cell phone privileges (see handbook for more details). 

Golden Ticket Policy:

Each semester, you’ll receive a Golden Ticket card with 10 punches to use for the items listed below. The punches will serve as your classroom currency and help encourage responsibility. If you lose your ticket, it will NOT be replaced. You will lose all privileges that come with it.

• Bathroom Pass

• Borrow a Pencil

• Borrow a Charger

• Submit Late Work for Full Credit (requires 2 punches)

At the end of the semester, each unused punch is worth 1 extra credit point.

You will also receive 2 free passes per semester for true emergencies. These passes cannot be used for late work—see full policy for details. 

Food/Drinks:

Drinks are allowed only in containers with secure lids. No cans. Refilling your water bottle during class is not permitted. Do so during passing period.

Food is not permitted in the classroom, except for the following items:

• Gum (provided that it does not disrupt class)

• Dum-dums

• Mints

Restrooms:

There should be plenty of time throughout the day to use the restroom between classes or at lunch, so use that time wisely. If you need to use the restroom during class, you will need to wait until we are not involved in direct instruction and then use the sign out sheet. Using the restroom will cost you one punch on your Golden Ticket card. If you use up all 10 punches, you will no longer be permitted to use the restroom during class.

All rules and regulations in the Hayden Catholic High School Student Handbook apply in my classroom and will be enforced. I reserve the right to make changes and adjustments to the syllabus as needed.

Unit Development:

This course will focus on a wide variety of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Students will read, examine, and discuss a collection of literary works from different genres and cultures. The goal in studying these works is not only to improve reading comprehension, but also to encourage students to consider different ideas and perspectives and be able to discuss these with their peers. Vocabulary and grammar will also be heavily emphasized throughout the course. Students will develop their writing skills through writings of various lengths that relate not only to the readings, but also to their personal experiences. 

Literature and Composition I specifically focuses on studying and understanding different literary genres. The units we will be covering are listed below:

Fall Semester

• Fiction/Nonfiction: 3-4 weeks

• Mini-research paper: 4-5 weeks

• Shakespeare: 6-7 weeks

Spring Semester

• Novel Unit: 6-7 weeks

• Poetry: 3-4 weeks

• Mythology Unit: 3-4 weeks