Welcome to Language Arts!

Period 2 Google Classroom Code: kpfduix

Period 3 Google Classroom Code: kcoim7o

Period 6: Google Classroom Code: r5fvxso

The goal of this class is for you to master the skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. You will develop your ability to read as we interact with class novels, short stories and excerpts, and with each other while practicing reading skills like summarizing and using context clues. You will develop as a writer as you practice responding to literature, reporting on research, developing and refuting arguments, and more. You will also practice speaking and listening by presenting in front of the class and by engaging in formal and informal small-group discussions.

Contact Information

Tony Sciarini: tsciarini@lusd.net

Brookside School number: 953-8642

Curriculum

McGraw-Hill StudySync online English/language arts curriculum

http://www.studysync.com/

To supplement StudySync content (including the addition of details not covered in StudySync), I will also include my own lessons adapted from our previous McDougal Littell curriculum.

Rules

1. Keep yourself muted unless given permission (raise your hand for permission).

2. Remain focused on academics.

3. Respect each other and make good choices.

Consequences

Depending on the offense, consequences for violating school or class rules will range from being muted temporarily to suspension from school.

Grading Procedures

Grades will be based on the number of points earned from classwork (which is not always graded), homework, quizzes, reports, presentations, and formal small-group discussions. Unless otherwise stated, the points for each assignment will be as follows:

(1) Classwork: 1-2 points

(2) Homework: 5 points

(3) Quizzes: 1-20 points

(4) Reports: 10-20 points

(5) Presentations: 30 points

(6) Formal Small-Group Discussions: 5 points

The number of points at the end of the grading period will determine a letter grade, which will be calculated as percentages:

93-100%= A 78-79%= C+ 68-69%= D+ 0-59%= F

90-92%= A- 73-77%= C 63-67%= D

88-89%= B+ 70-72%= C- 60-62%= D-

83-87%= B

80-82%= B-

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s ideas, passed off as one’s own. Often, plagiarism comes in written form, as in the use of someone’s words from a book or website without the proper quotation marks and reference. Plagiarism can be spoken, however, as in formal speeches. The following is an example of plagiarism in action:

It is also important to note that, despite Hester’s apparent humility and her refusal to strike back at the community, she resents and inwardly rebels against the viciousness of her Puritan persecutors.

If you were to use this information, it should include quotation marks, the author’s name, and the page number of the book where you found it. It should also include end notes with a full citation at the end of the essay. In the essay, your quote should look like this:

Indeed, it has been noted that “despite Hester’s apparent humility and her refusal to strike back at the community, she resents and inwardly rebels against the viciousness of her Puritan persecutors” (Dibble 26).

The consequences for plagiarism include a zero on the assignment and punishment up to and including suspension.

Materials

You will need your Chromebook and a charger. Remember to charge your Chromebook before class.

Homework

You will have homework regularly in this class. Unless missed for an excusable reason, you will earn a zero for not completing homework, and you may not make up the assignment.

Makeup Work

It is your responsibility to turn in all homework at the time that it is due. If you are absent for an excused reason, such as illness, you will have one day to make up the work for every excused absent day. For example, if you were absent two days for an excused reason, you will have two days to make up the assigned work.