Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. - Anton Chekhov
Please know that I am supportive of you.
I will always do my best to meet your emotional and academic needs, including providing accommodations and modifications that comply with Section 504 Accommodation Plans and the ADA. As such, please feel free to email me if you have questions or have additional information that would help improve the climate in the classroom. My email is richard.ehrlich@palmbeachschools.org .
After you review the following policies and course information, complete and return the following form (please, print and send with your young adult): Welcome to Ehrlich’s English: SYLLABUS and Procedures Acknowledgment Letter
Vocabulary Practice
Command of Evidence
Analysis of Sources
Real-World Contexts / Global Issues
Analysis in Social Studies, Literature, Science, etc.
Analysis of Seminal Documents
Analytical essays and other writings
Honors and Advanced Level Course Note: Advanced courses require a greater demand on students through increased academic rigor. Academic rigor is obtained through the application, analysis, evaluation, and creation of complex ideas that are often abstract and multi-faceted. Students are challenged to think and collaborate critically on the content they are learning. Honors level rigor will be achieved by increasing text complexity through text selection, focus on high-level qualitative measures, and complexity of task. Instruction will be structured to give students a deeper understanding of conceptual themes and organization within and across disciplines. Academic rigor is more than simply assigning to students a greater quantity of work.
Parents, guardians, and students can sign up for emergency alerts by sending a text to 484848 with the school's keyword: jaguars .
If you EVER have ANY questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact me directly at richard.ehrlich@palmbeachschools.org .
The purpose of this course is to provide grade 12 students, using texts of high complexity, integrated language arts study in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language for college and career preparation and readiness.
text craft and structure
elements of literature
arguments and claims supported by textual evidence
power and impact of language
influence of history, culture, and setting on language
personal critical and aesthetic response
developing and supporting argumentative claims
crafting coherent, supported informative/expository texts
responding to literature for personal and analytical purposes
writing narratives to develop real or imagined events
writing to sources using text- based evidence and reasoning
Teaching from well-written, grade-level instructional materials enhances students' content area knowledge and also strengthens their ability to comprehend longer, complex reading passages on any topic for any purpose. Using the following instructional practices also helps student learning.
Reading assignments from longer text passages, as well as shorter ones when text is extremely complex.
Making close reading and rereading of texts central to lessons.
Asking high-level, text-specific questions and requiring high-level, complex tasks and assignments.
Requiring students to support answers with evidence from the text.
Providing extensive text-based research and writing opportunities (claims and evidence).
Please know that I am supportive of you.
I will always do my best to meet your emotional and academic needs, including providing accommodations and modifications that comply with Section 504 Accommodation Plans and the ADA. As such, please feel free to email me if you have questions or have additional information that would help improve the climate in the classroom. My email is richard.ehrlich@palmbeachschools.org .
Please note that this course has been implemented using selected resources from the College Board as well as Cambridge International, in addition to the resources referenced in the Palm Beach County Scope and Sequence for ELA. The Scope and Sequence has been reviewed and approved by Teaching and Learning. That approval does not extend to any additional content that may be found within the StudySync platform.
NOTE: Lessons, updates, notes, assignments, etc. will be posted on the GOOGLE CLASSROOM, under the TAB at the top marked CLASSWORK. Students should not rely the STREAM to keep track of class activities. The AGENDA option on the STREAM may also change without due notice. So, again, students should check the CLASSWORK tab each class for lessons, updates, notes, assignments, etc.
You will need…almost DAILY
Permanent pens, not erasable (dark blue or black ink only)
College-ruled paper (lots)
#2 pencils
Assortment of color pencils
Glue stick(s)
Chromebook or laptop for daily use
Binder or folder
PLEASE, bring at least one BOX of TISSUES for the classroom to share. You would be amazed on how quickly we go through boxes of tissues.
NOVELS (TBA?)
As you will see, I am a BIG user of technology (and anything else) that makes the class more fun and interesting. I made a WISH LIST of items on AMAZON. Any donation is MUCH APPRECIATED to make the class... MAGICAL!!!
CLICK HERE for my Classroom "Wishes, Hopes, and Dreams" List, posted on Amazon
We are a Google Classroom and use Chromebooks. Students are expected to bring their fully charged Palm Beach Schools District issued Chromebook to school daily (and use the district's WIFI rather than personal hotspots). Otherwise, may result in loss of quarterly participation points.
Warning: Some future assignments and quizzes will be in LOCKED mode and be completed only on the school-provided Chromebooks and laptops. On those days, it will be unlikely I will be able you to "send" you for one; so, be prepared with one!
Please note that use of Grammarly, CHAT-GPT, AI, etc. are tools. We encourage students to use such tools to FIX or IMPROVE writing and grammar. Use of such tools can definitely HELP students learn METHODS and SUGGESTIONS to improve writing. As a teacher, such tools help identify ORIGINAL WRITING, verses PLAGIARISM, and seemingly, for some, "excessive" use of such tools (HINT).
School policy is to have grades updated regularly on SIS, generally at least two grades per week. Trust me... this will not likely be a problem. NOTE: This is where I would insert an evil laugh, perhaps.
We do a lot. And, I try to keep everyone (students and parents or guardians) in the "know" whenever possible. I hope that you do not see this as a SPAM. NOTE: Please check the SIS regularly.
Late policy will be strictly followed. Classwork not submitted by the allocated time (except for those with documented accommodations) may be subject to a penalty (generally, assignments submitted after one week of the due date will receive fifty (50) percent or less credit). This includes “forgetting to submit work online.”
Remember, a student on SRA has ONE class day following the return from an SRA to submit work.
Those with pre-established plans (504’s, IEP’s, etc.) will be provided extra time but no more than one week from the assigned due date, exceptions include long-term projects and presentations.
Again, extra time is NOT unlimited.
MISC (essays, critiques, journals, revision activities, daily work and activities, homework, miscellaneous test-your-knowledge and miscellaneous WDYK (WHAT DO YOU KNOW) assignments, etc.) = 68%;
MISC1 (forms (i.e. Contact Form, etc.), items to be signed and returned (i.e. Classroom Progress Reports, etc.), textbook/cover checks, miscellaneous test-your-knowledge and miscellaneous WDYK (WHAT DO YOU KNOW) assignments, etc.) = 2%
QUIZZES and TESTS = 30%
NOTE: Extra credit points are, generally, provided each quarter but are usually linked to a classroom lesson, writing contest, etc. As such, the list changes often, especially as contest due dates come and go. Check back regularly for updates.
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REMINDER: STUDENTS MUST HAVE & USE THEIR DISTRICT-ISSUED CHROMEBOOKS IN CLASS EVERY DAY. Students will receive a 10% grade reduction for assignments not completed on a school district issued chromebook.
Absent students must stay updated on what’s going on in class. CHECK the GOOGLE CLASSROOM regularly for updates, please.
PLEASE be sure to communicate with me what’s going on to make arrangements to help you.
Plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment and may not be made up.
No resubmission of student work in the fourth quarter. Assignments will not be regraded!
Late policy will be strictly followed. Classwork not submitted by the allocated time (except for those with documented accommodations) may be subject to a penalty. This includes “forgetting to submit work online.”
If absent on a quiz or test day, students are subject to a make-up version of the test that assesses the same skills but may appear in a different format. Students have one week to either make up or make arrangements to schedule the make up. If arrangements are not made within the week, the assessment will receive a full letter grade deduction for every week.
There is NO SCHOOL POLICY on having a fixed homework schedule. NOTE: I do try to LIMIT homework, usually to assigned readings OR to work that is unfinished in class.
PLEASE ALERT ME at richard.ehrlich@palmbeachschools.org to WHEN PERFORMANCES are happening in your departments. I TRY TO WORK WITH YOUR PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES as well.
NOTE: Lessons, updates, notes, assignments, etc. will be posted on the GOOGLE CLASSROOM, under the TAB at the top marked CLASSWORK. Students should not rely the STREAM to keep track of class activities. The AGENDA option on the STREAM may also change without due notice. So, again, students should check the CLASSWORK tab each class for lessons, updates, notes, assignments, etc.
Please note that the following concerns will be reported to the ADMINISTRATION:
Attendance issues
Excessive Tardies
Behavior/Conduct issues
Leaving class without permission
MISC. (wandering?)
RULES FOR THE CLASS
Be on time.
Come prepared.
Stay engaged.
Be respectful.
Also, Please sit ONLY in the assigned SEATS.
We are a Google Classroom and use Chromebooks. Students are expected to bring their fully charged Palm Beach Schools District issued Chromebook to school daily (and use the district's WIFI rather than personal hotspots). Otherwise, may result in loss of quarterly participation points.
Students will receive a 10% grade reduction for assignments not completed on a school district issued chromebook.
Any class meeting missed, regardless of cause, reduces the opportunity of learning and may adversely affect a student’s achievement in the course. An accurate record of attendance will be kept for each course. Excessive lateness, unexcused absences, and self-assigned SRA’s (a.k.a. skipping) will be dealt with harshly either in class or through administration.
If absent, it is YOUR responsibility to ask classmates about the assignments, readings and notes missed.
On SRA (School Related Activity)? It is the responsibility of the student to locate, to complete, and to submit missed work within one week of the return from an SRA. Most assignments will be posted on the Google Classroom. Please speak with other students regarding missed notes and assignments during an SRA.
Being absent and an SRA are not the same; excessive absences and lateness may keep you from completing the course and/or require the taking of the semester’s mastery exam.
It is the responsibility of the student to check the grades for accuracy. Student questions concerning grades must be provided in WRITING via email.
Cell phones should NOT be OUT during class. Otherwise….
*PLEASE, do not make me ask you about lengthy stays in the bathroom.
NOTE: USE ONLY THE FRONT CLASSROOM DOOR, except in emergencies and For emergency drills (i.e. fire, tornadoes, etc.)
Holidays? Vacations? Performances?
WHEN ABSENT, it is the student's responsibility to locate any notes and to complete any missed assignments. Generally, my notes, lessons and assignments are posted on my GOOGLE CLASSROOM. When in the classroom, students should check the whiteboard each day for the day's agenda, discuss the missed class with fellow students, and check the GOOGLE CLASSROOM. I post, generally, the NOTES, LESSONS, and ASSIGNMENTS on the GOOGLE CLASSROOM as well as schedule quizzes, etc.
PLEASE ALERT ME at richard.ehrlich@palmbeachschools.org to WHEN PERFORMANCES are happening in your departments.
There is no difference between excused and unexcused tardies.
Students who miss more than half a class are considered absent, not tardy.
If coming tardy from another teacher, you MUST have a pass from the teacher or from a tardy kiok.
Tardy kiosks are located outside of the Media Center and in other designated areas.
As noted earlier, I try to be reasonably flexible regarding missed work during an absence.One week is, generally, the rule in this class.
Absent students must stay updated on what’s going on in class. CHECK the GOOGLE CLASSROOM regularly for updates, please.
PLEASE be sure to communicate with me what’s going on to make arrangements to help you.
If absent on a quiz or test day, students are subject to a make-up version of the test that assesses the same skills but may appear in a different format. Students have one week to either make up or make arrangements to schedule the make up. If arrangements are not made within the week, the assessment will receive a full letter grade deduction for every week.
NOTE: A SCHOOL -RELATED ACTIVITY or SRA does NOT count toward the MASTERY EXAM.
Normally, whether excused or not, ANY absences count towards the ten (10) absences (FIVE (5) DSOA ABSENCES, generally, = 10 COUNTY absences due to our BLOCK schedule) the county allows per semester. After ten (again, FIVE (5) DSOA ABSENCES, generally, = 10 COUNTY absences due to our BLOCK schedule), students will be required to take and PASS a MASTERY exam at the end of the semester.
This is a COUNTY policy.
Teachers are required to provide listening, speaking, reading and writing instruction that allows English language learners (ELL) to communicate information, ideas and concepts for academic success in the content area of Language Arts. For the given level of English language proficiency and with visual, graphic, or interactive support, students will interact with grade level words, expressions, sentences and discourse to process or produce language necessary for academic success. The ELD standard should specify a relevant content area concept or topic of study chosen by curriculum developers and teachers which maximizes an ELL's need for communication and social skills.