The
World
According
to
Mud
(Or, how to succeed in English, keep your sanity, and graduate on time!)
Mr. Mud’s Rules for the Road
My Great Expectations: follow all Academic Setting Expectations in the Trojan Code as well as the ones listed below.
* You are expected to arrive on time and be in your seat or on the meet when class is scheduled to start. See the school tardy policy on page 25 in the 2025-2026 Student / Parent Handbook. If the bell rings and you are not in the room you are tardy.
* I expect you to be prepared for class with the materials you will need for the day. If you come to class unprepared three or more times, you will be issued a book detention that must be served the following day. (Responsible)
* I believe in Total Quality and expect each of you to work to the full level of your ability. Assignments that are not done to the best of your ability will be handed back ungraded for improvement. You will be given every reasonable opportunity to present your best work and I will support you with help sessions if you request them.
* Academic Integrity: I expect that students will, “... rely upon their own resources and efforts in order to complete course work” (2025-2026 Student / Parent Handbook 10). See page 10 of the student handbook for specific expectations and consequences.
* Artificial Intelligence: The use of AI—including, but not limited to, Chat GPT, Grammarly, CoPilot, Grok, SnapChat, and reading summaries—is strictly prohibited unless otherwise stated by the teacher. Use of AI without teacher consent in the brainstorming, outlining, organizing, drafting, evidence locating and/or generating, and/or revising is prohibited and considered a violation of the school’s academic integrity policy. For work submitted digitally, students are required to originate and complete all of their typed English writing assignments using their school Google account and on the teacher provided Google doc.
Absence/Make-up Work
* Reading and or literature quizzes: If you are absent on the day of a quiz, you must make it up on the day that you return to school – even if you do not have class that day. If you are absent for more than two days, you must see me the day that you return to set up a schedule for making them up. Unless you are incapacitated, I expect you to check our Google Classroom page so you know the work that you missed and what is due next in class. I strongly encourage you to email me if you have questions about anything we did during your absence. I will give you every opportunity to succeed, but any quizzes or work that is not made up in a timely fashion will adversely affect your grade.
* Projects/Essays: You need to let me know ahead of time if you have more than two major assignments due on a specific day so I can make adjustments.
* Papers and Written Assignments: Assignments must be handed in the day and time that they are due (unless we have agreed on a different due date).
* Late Assignments: I expect all assignments to be handed in on time. However, if you are unable to complete a homework assignment please see me prior to the due date (or email me to arrange a time to meet) in room 217 before 7:30 and explain why the assignment cannot be completed. I might let you hand it in late (with a penalty) depending upon the nature/type of the assignment. Up to a ten-point penalty will be assessed for each day an essay is late.
Mr. Mudano English 2025-2026
This is Grade 12 English!
This required course offers a study of works of literature from throughout the world, with an emphasis on emerging authors. Students will explore cross-cultural connections and develop an awareness of a 21st century global society through a variety of readings. Readings may include novels, short stories, essays, poems, plays, memoirs, and films. This is what we will read.
Here is the list of texts and videos for the course. We will not get to all of it – bummer!
Texts:
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (Canada)
Life of Pi by Yann Martel (India)
the curious incident of the dog in the night-time by Mark Haddon (England)
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami (Japan)
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (Afghanistan)
Short Stories
Poetry
Videos:
Osama
Run Lola Run
Big Fish
Podcasts
Various episodes that apply to the ideas in the course
We will also be doing a few other things so read on!
Writing
You will complete a variety of writing assignments over the course of the semester including your personal essay. Each assignment will have specific criteria that must be followed. Failure to do so will adversely affect the grade that you earn on the assignment. Rubrics will be used to assess most writing assignments.
Writing assignments will be completed in and out of class. I encourage you to have peers or family help you with grammar issues or spelling, but all writing assignments should reflect your ability to write. Remember to adhere to my AI use policy!
I suggest that you see me any time that you have any questions about your writing. I will be available for writing conferences during any of our writing assignments. Please take advantage of this. Five points will be added to a final draft for conferencing as long as there is evidence of significant revision (you are expected to address all the revision suggestions that I make on your rough drafts). The same goes for conferences in the Writing Center.
Homework/Quizzes/Exams/Syllabi/Assignment Pad
You should expect to have homework three to four nights a week. I will check your homework on a regular basis, and the majority of it will be handed in and assessed. Always remember to use an MLA heading!
You will be quizzed on work done in class and the previous night’s reading. Not all quizzes will be announced, but if you have a reading assignment plan on a brief quiz for the following day. I generally drop one of your lowest quiz grades at the end of each quarter. All written responses including quizzes must follow the rules of grammar. Penalties will be assessed for poor basic grammar. Note: if I cannot read your answer it will be marked as incorrect.
Essays and/or some other form of final assessment will be assigned at the end of each major unit. These will be announced and you will have plenty of time to complete and prepare for them.
I will post each night’s homework on my board and on the stream on our Google Classroom page, an as an assignment on Classwork. I understand how busy many of you are and how wacky the world is, but please remember that your number one focus is academics. If you notice a conflict of some kind with a due-date, please see me early so we can try to work around it; if there is a reason that you are unable to complete an assignment on time, email me and arrange to speak with me prior to when the assignment is due. Always write down nightly assignments in your assignment pad or on your phone (if you use it as a planner)
Carefully follow the directions for all quizzes and assignments.
Three-ring Binder
You will generate a large volume of work, and it is imperative that you keep it organized. My suggestion is a three-ring binder dedicated solely to this class. This will allow you to easily organize your homework, quizzes, packets and any other materials that are handed out to you. Anything that I want you to have a hard copy of will be handed out in class and usually posted on Classroom. I DO NOT MAKE EXTRA COPIES, SO STAY ORGANIZED.
Notes
I suggest that you to take notes on the works of literature that we read and during class – it will help you to better understand and retain the information. It is also a requirement as part of class discussions and when we review work. You will need to master this skill in order to be successful in college, the military, etc.. If you take reading notes, you will be given 5 bonus points on your reading check quiz. This is the only extra credit that I offer. I also reserve the right to ask to see your notes at any time. YOU MAY NOT use them on a quiz.
“Office” Hours
I am located in room 217, and I am there during the morning from about 6:00 a.m. to the end of the day. Drop in or make an appointment. If you stop in, I will always try to accommodate you. If you come to see me and I am not in my room, please leave me a note.
I encourage you to see me in the morning) if there is ever anything that you read but did not understand. I can answer your questions, clarify the reading, and you will show me that you care about the class. You will also do well on the quiz you will have that day.
Hats/Eating/Drinking/Electronics/Your Seating Area
I am asking students not to wear hats. If you insist on doing so, I must be able to see your face (no hiding!). You cannot wear a hat when giving any type og presentation.
You may not eat in class. You may drink water or coffee in class as long as you are not disruptive. Keep it off of your desk. The custodial staff is stretched to their limit and we do not want to make more work for them by spilling Gatorade, juice etc.
All electronic devices are to be silenced and placed in the phone tree once you enter my room. If I see you engaging with a phone or smart watch, you will be written up – the phone tree is your warning. You are not allowed to take your phone with you if you leave the room during the class period. Air pods and ear buds must also be removed once you reach your seat. If you need to send a text to a parent, just ask. This does not apply to any student who has an accommodation.
I am going to ask everyone to bring ear buds or headphones to class on the days that I see you.
Pick up all papers around your area (even if they are not yours), do not write on your desk, and leave the area around your desk neat and clean. If you are an iced coffee drinker, make sure that your desk is dry when you leave the class.
Written Assignment Format
* We will use the MLA format. Your name, my name, your section, and the date
Sue Smith
Mr. Mudano
12-2 – (also state the specific assignment)
28 August 2026 – (write the date this way!
* Write as legibly as possible. Do not cram as much as you can onto one page. The easier it is for me to read, the more likely you are to receive the credit that you deserve. If you have poor penmanship like I do, please type! Note: If I cannot read a homework assignment, it will not be graded until it is typed. If you consistently write illegibly, you will not receive credit for those assignments.
* Always use ink unless you only have a pencil. Always leave margins.
* On second drafts and other papers of significance, use one side of the paper only.
Please note: The above stated requirements are meant to help keep us organized. If you fail to follow these directions, you will be asked to rewrite the assignment. Please don’t make extra work for yourself! Follow the directions the first time.
Homework/Classwork
These types of assignments will either be graded on the number of correct answers or using the following scale.
The student showed an excellent understanding of the assignment, fulfilled all criteria of the assignment, and prepared the assignment practically error-free. The assignment showed an outstanding effort. numerical = 90-100
The student showed a good understanding of the assignment, fulfilled almost all of the criteria of the assignment, and prepared the assignment reasonably error-free. The assignment showed a commendable effort. numerical = 80-89
The student showed an adequate understanding of the assignment, fulfilled some of the criteria of the assignment, and prepared the assignment and it was generally error-free. The assignment showed an adequate effort. numerical = 70-79
The student showed a less than adequate understanding of the assignment, fulfilled few of the criteria of the assignment, and prepared the assignment in a careless manner. The assignment showed inconsistent effort. Numerical = 60-69
The student did not complete the assignment or the assignment is inadequate in all respects. The assignment showed little or no effort. Numerical = 0-59
Class Discussions
You will be expected to participate in class discussions. You will have time to prepare for them and will have ample time to participate. You will be graded on the quality of your preparation, on the quality of the notes that you take, on the number of times that you meaningfully participate in the actual discussion, and on your Lingering Question and New Understanding. I will grade your notes and prep and keep track of the number of times that you participate.
Try to participate at least once during the discussion and take effective notes.
I use a scale to determine your final discussion grade. If you earn a 98 on your notes and prep and participate 3X, you will earn a 98; if you participate 2X, you will earn a 93; if you participate 1X, you will earn an 88; and if you do not participate at all, you will earn a 78. So, keep two things in mind: 1. It is important to thoughtfully prepare and take effective notes, and 2. Say something meaningful and relevant during each discussion.
12-II – 2025-2026 Class Participation Grade Name: _____________________
An “A” or “Outstanding” student
• Always prepares for class fully and thoughtfully
• Reads in preparation for class consistently, closely, and carefully (as is indicated by classwork and thorough reading notes)
• Regularly contributes in a meaningful, reflective, and insightful way to class discussion
• Attends to and reflects thoughtfully on the contributions of others in class discussion, as evidenced by his/her written work, notes, and comments in class
• Always hands in work that has been carefully completed, thoroughly proofread and displays a high level of care
• Contributes fully to group or partner work on a regular basis
• Is focused and attentive throughout each class period (as is evidenced by notes among other indicators)
• Regularly revises written work in a thoughtful, reflective, and meaningful way
• Reviews and reflects on work in class and in conferences
• Always posts work to Classroom assignments on time.
• In case of absence always emails teacher AND always checks Google Classroom for assignments
• Always responds to emails sent by teacher
• Consistently arrives to class on time
• Never needs to be personally reminded about cell phone, ear buds, or the use of other electronic devices
A “B” or “Very Good” student
• Always prepares for class
• Consistently reads in preparation for class as is evidenced by class work and some brief notes
• Contributes to class discussion less regularly and/or less insightfully than the stronger students
• Attends to and reflects on the contributions of others in class discussion, as evidenced by his/her written work, notes, and comments in class
• Always hands in work that has been carefully completed, thoroughly proofread and displays a high level of care
• Contributes to group or partner work on a regular basis
• Occasionally needs reminders to stay focused and attentive throughout each class period
• Hands in work that has been completed, proofread and displays a level of care, but not as carefully or thoroughly as the ”A” student
• Regularly revises written work but not always as thoroughly or as thoughtfully as the stronger students
• Rarely needs to be personally reminded about cell phone, ear buds, or the use of other electronic devices
• Often reviews and reflects on work in class and in conferences
• In case of absence usually emails teacher AND usually checks Google Classroom for assignments
• Usually posts work to Classroom assignments on time.
• Usually responds to emails sent by teacher
• Usually arrives to class on time
• Rarely needs to be personally reminded about cell phone, ear buds, or the use of other electronic devices
A “C” or “Adequate” student
• Prepares for class, but not as fully or thoughtfully as the “A” or “B” students
• Mostly reads in preparation for class, but not as consistently, closely, or carefully as the “A” or “B” students as is indicated by classwork and inconsistent/brief notes
• Often does not participate orally in class discussion, summarizes what’s already been said, and/or needs to be reminded to participate
• May not always attend to and reflect on the contributions of others in class discussion, as evidenced by his/her written work, lack of notes, and comments in class
• Contributes to group or partner work but less effectively then the “A” or “B” students
• Hands in work but it may be incomplete, display obvious proofreading errors, but shows some care
• Sometimes needs reminders to stay focused and attentive throughout each class period
• Sometimes revises written work but less thoroughly or as thoughtfully as the “A” or “B” student
• Sometimes reviews and reflects on work in class and in conferences
• Sometimes posts work to Classroom assignments on time
• In case of absence infrequently emails teacher and infrequently checks Google Classroom for assignments
• Sometimes responds to teacher emails
• Is sometimes late to class.
• Regularly needs to be personally reminded about cell phone, ear buds, or the use of other electronic devices
A “D-F” or “Inadequate” student
• Typically not prepared for class
• Rarely reads in preparation for class, and not as consistently, closely, or carefully as the stronger students
• Often does not participate orally in class discussion
• Rarely revises written work
• May not always attend to and reflect on the contributions of others in class discussion, as evidenced by his/her written work, lack of notes, and comments in class
• Not engaged in group or partner work
• Sometimes needs reminders to stay focused and attentive throughout each class period
• Sometimes reviews and reflects on assignments
• Rarely posts work to Classroom assignments on time.
• In case of absence rarely or never emails teacher or checks Google Classroom for assignments
• Rarely/never responds to teacher emails
• Consistently arrives late to class
Grade: _____ -- a range is fine
Rationale:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Note: My classes are “like” and “uhm, yeah”-free zones!
Your Grade
During each quarter you will complete different types of assignments that will make up your grade. The types and percentages are as follows:
• Writing, work based on the literature we read, and other class work will count as 80 percent of your grade – this includes essays, projects, quizzes, and responses.
• Class Participation and class discussions – 20% -- a student will earn a class participation grade every three to four weeks (this will be based on the above rubric), and for class discussions.
In order to calculate your final grade for each quarter, each grade is weighted based on the time and rigor of the assignment. I usually determine the exact weight of major assignments at the end of the quarter. This allows me to consider how much time was spent on each assignment and to weight it accordingly. This also allows the flexibility to weight assignments that were successful more heavily. I also reserve the right to add a point to each student’s grade at the end of the quarter as well as dropping a low reading check quiz if I feel it is appropriate to do so. (I cannot and would not lower a student’s grade). Please remember that the final grade is the one that appears on the printed report card.
I update the portal every one to two weeks and suggest that you check it periodically.
Note: If you are absent, I place a zero in the portal with the “absence” code. That is an additional reminder for you to get the work made up. Assignments have a specific purpose at a specific time. If work is not made up in a timely manner, it will remain as a zero in the portal. If you are absent fr an extended period of time, we will work out a schedule to get the work made up.
Keep in mind that this is a literature course and that you are expected to read what is assigned. If you don’t, you will not be able to pass – please don’t take that as a challenge.
Final Exams “Seniors are exempt from the final exams in the following categories: Half-Year Courses – Seniors who have an 80 average for the second quarter (first semester) or 80 average for the fourth quarter (second semester) and have maintained an overall 80 average for the course” (2025-2026 Student / Parent Handbook 14).
Potential:
You all have the potential to succeed in this class, and you should choose to do your best. I will do everything in my power to help you reach that potential. If you make the effort, you will reap the rewards -- a good education and something no one else can give you -- self-respect.
Trojan Code:
I strongly encourage all of my students to just be nice and to adhere to The Trojan Code.