Course Description: This course is intended to promote students’ understanding of and appreciation for literature, as well as foster communication skills, including reading, writing, speaking, listening and thinking critically. Students will participate in a variety of assignments and activities to provide them with opportunities to learn, practice and strengthen these skills. The first semester also focuses on expository writing.
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/mrrudermansclasses/home This is where I share a lot of information. I suggest you bookmark it, but you can always Google my name to find it quickly.
Most Homework is shared through Google Classroom. (To submit work, create a document and hit the "Turn it In" button at the top of the page.)
School email: iruderman@winchesterps.org (This is often the best way to contact me.)
Texts and Curriculum: All literature texts will be provided by Winchester High School. Students are expected to return all texts in as close to the condition as they were received as possible. If used in class, vocabulary texts are also provided by WHS.
Some of the texts we will be reading include, but are not limited to:
A rough outline of the year is as follows:
Required Materials: You should always bring your binder (including blank paper), the book we are reading, an assignment notebook, and a pen or pencil to class.
Class Participation: A good English class is one in which everyone contributes to the exchange of ideas. Therefore, a part of your grade will be based on the degree to which you engage in our class. In determining this grade, I consider not only how much you talk, but also the thoughtfulness of your comments, your attentiveness, your contribution to group activities, your behavior, and your overall engagement.
Attendance & Tardiness: Come to class on time. Be prepared to read, write, discuss, and ask questions or else! If you are late, you may miss important information or even a pop quiz! I will enforce the school's policies on attendance and tardiness, so be sure that you are familiar with the rules in the Student Handbook.
Make-up Work and Late Assignments: If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get and complete your missing assignments. (Almost always this information can be found on Google Classroom.) If you know in advance you will be absent, you should get the assignments before you leave so you will be caught up for your return to class. Unexcused late work will receive less credit, 1/3 off per day. Daily assignments will receive no credit once they are two days late.
Cheating and Plagiarism: Do not copy words, answers or ideas from anyone or any source. Do not cut and paste or cut and patch together passages from online resources. I will enforce the school's rules on plagiarism and cheating.
Extra Help: Please come and see me if you would like to set up a meeting. I often have A and F blocks free, and I am often available after school for extra help.
Classroom Behavior:
Grades: I use a weighted point system. All work is given a point grade and assignments fall into categories: Homework/Lager Assessments, 1-4 Homework, Tests and Quizzes, Engagement, Midterm Exams, etc… Homework/Larger Assessments is the most heavily weighted category, but daily homework will be considered practice and not carry a significant grade. I will also avoid putting zeros in my grade book, (A typical semester will look like this: 1-4 Homework 10%, Larger Assessments 55%, Tests 15%, Engagement 10%, Midterm Exam 10%)