English 2 Semester Overview
In this course, there will be four major units, two per quarter. Each unit will be centered around a big idea, and a set of essential questions that will span the entire unit. Each unit will also have an authentic assessment, which measures student mastery of the skills taught in that unit. My aim is to make these as real-world as possible.
At the start of each unit, students will be given a checklist of skills that will be assessed in that unit in order to keep track of their own mastery of these skills.
At the start of each unit, students will be given a checklist of skills that will be assessed in that unit in order to keep track of their own mastery of these skills.
Big Ideas and Essential Questions
PATTERNS
How can patterns allow for prediction? How can patterns be enablers? Why are patterns important? CONFLICT
Why is conflict necessary? How does conflict create change? How is conflict generated or avoided? |
POWER
How does power, or the lack of power, affect people? How can power be dangerous? How is power gained or lost? RELATIONSHIPS
How do relationships affect people? Why do relationships change? Why do people need relationships? |
Course Expectations
I. Common Core State Standards for English/Language Arts
Follow the link to see the CCSS for ELA in detail.
II. My Expectations
I expect that students will come to class prepared and ready to learn. Students who will be successful in my class are those that put forth their best effort on all assignments, have positive attitudes about the class and the work that they are doing, and are willing to ask questions about material or concepts that they do not understand. Students in my class are also expected to collaborate in order to get the most out of their learning. At all times, students should be respectful of themselves, each other, the teacher and their school.
Classroom Procedures/ Non-negotiables
Refocus
Students who are not focused in class and are causing a disturbance in either their own learning or the learning of others will be sent to the refocus table, where they will remain for 5 minutes. While there, they will fill out a refocus slip that asks them to answer a series of questions about their behavior and its relation to their goals at EWSES. At the accumulation of 3 slips, a parent contact will be made and a conference will be requested. Contact may be made sooner if there is a serious academic impediment to the student based on their behavior.
III. Course Requirements:
1. Class attendance policy:
I expect students to be in class by the time the tardy bell rings every day. However, as we all know, life happens. To account for this, Wake County Schools has allowed students up to 10 unexcused absences. If students have more than 10 unexcused absences, the student will not get credit for the class, regardless of their academic grade. I will make no exceptions to this policy. In this event, it is the responsibility of the student and the parents to appeal to the school board for a waiver. Attendance will be listed in the PowerSchool ParentPortal.
2. Tardies:
Students are given ample time between classes to make it to class on time, and are expected to be in their seat and ready to begin class when the bell rings. If a student is in the hall when the bell rings, they will be locked out of the classroom and sent to the SES office for a note to class. The following discipline procedures will occur when a student is late:
IV. Grading Procedures:
Grade Scale:
According to State Board Policy, a student's final grade for English 2 will be determined by students Quarter 1, Quarter 2, and EOC grades. These grades will be weighted as such:
Quarter 1: 37.5%
Quarter 2: 37.5%
EOC: 25%
Classroom assignments will be weighted as follows in PowerSchool:
Authentic Assessments: 80%
Other tasks: 20%
What is an Authentic Assessment?
Authentic assessments are used to make real world connections of the skills students are learning in their class. They reflect things that adults are expected to be able to do in the 'real world' most of the time. They measure multiple standards at once. In English, they usually involve some combination of reading, writing, and speaking/listening. These will be larger assessments (projects and tests).
What are other tasks?
Other tasks are (generally) the daily things we do in class. They are quizzes, homework, bellringers, reading checks, and so forth. These usually only assess one standard at a time. Each assessment in this category will be weighted differently based on a system of points. For example, a bellringer assignment for one week would only be worth 5 points, whereas an article with questions given for homework would be worth 20, and a quiz on grammar would be worth 50. These are determined by teacher discretion.
Redo Policy:
*The purpose of a redo policy is to assist you in mastering the content and skills of the class. Depending on the class lessons that week, it is not assured that you will be able to make up tests or quizzes during class time. Therefore, it is ultimately your responsibility to arrange for a time to get missing make up work/quizzes/tests; this may mean after school, at lunch, etc. You must go through remediation with me before you can retake a test!
Daily/Homework Assignments: With standards based grading, ALL assignments will be standards driven. The goal of this course is to make you proficient in the standards. You will be given a checklist of each standard/skill addressed in that unit at the start of the unit. Each standard is important. Keep track of your mastery of each skill. If you can show by the end of that unit that you have mastered that skill (SAVE ALL OF YOUR WORK because this will involve a portfolio process), your grade will be adjusted.
PLEASE NOTE: students will not be permitted to move forward until the skills from that week/unit have been mastered.
Authentic Assessments/Tests: If you score below a 70 (a failing grade) on a quiz or test, you must automatically schedule a complete retake. This will be a different kind of assessment from the original. You have approximately one week to re-take this quiz/test and you may earn up to an 85. I understand that many of you are very busy. I will try to work with you, but unreasonable or extra lengthy postponing of these retakes will not be acceptable. Remember, you will not move forward with the rest of the class unless you demonstrate mastery of the skills.
If you score above a 69 on a quiz or test, you may attend remediation and make corrections on the assignment once for 50% towards full credit.
Late Work Policy
The following procedures will be taken for incomplete student work:
Green slips will be kept as documentation for the student, parent, and teacher.
Make-Up Work Policy & Procedures (School Board Policy 6000)
At the secondary level, the student is responsible for securing makeup work. Schoolwork will be made up under the following conditions:
Excused Absences ~ Work that has been assigned by the teacher in advance, including tests assigned for the day of return, is due upon the student’s return to school. For work that has not been assigned in advance, students who are absent for one to three days will have one day for each day absent. For absences exceeding three days, the student may have two days for each day absent to make up work. All makeup work is for 100% credit; however, makeup work not completed and turned in on time will receive no credit. Excused absences are granted for one of the following reasons:
Unexcused Absences ~ Students with unexcused absences have two school days following their return to school to complete and turn in any makeup work. Schools shall establish and communicate to students and parents their procedures for making up work following an unexcused absence. Make-up work shall be graded at a standard consistent with the original work. Credit equivalent to not less than 70% of the original value of the work shall be awarded for make-up work completed within the school’s established procedures. In making final determinations about credit, the procedures should take into account the following:
Suspension longer than 5 days ~ Students suspended for more than five days must request makeup work from the teachers through the Student Services office. Ms. Sanders will contact teachers with date and time to submit work for student pick-up. Make-up work is due upon a students return to school.
Pre-approved absences (not school related) ~ Students must request makeup work from the teachers prior to leaving and makeup work is due upon a students return to school.
Pre-approved absences (school related) ~ Students must request makeup work from the teachers prior to leaving and makeup work is due within two school days of a students return to school.
Note: Any student absent more than 5 days must request make up work from Student Services.
V. Academic Integrity
CHEATING
Each student in this course is expected to abide by the Wake County Schools Code of Academic Integrity. Any work submitted by a student in this course for academic credit will be the student's own work.
You are encouraged to study together and to discuss information and concepts covered in class with other students. You can give consulting help to or receive consulting help from such students. However, this permissible cooperation should NEVER involve one student having possession of a copy of all or part of work done by someone else, in the form of an e mail, an e mail attachment file, a flash drive, text message, Google drive file, or a hard copy.
Should copying occur, BOTH the student who copied work from another student and the student who gave material to be copied will automatically receive a zero for the assignment and be given an alternate assignment to demonstrate mastery of this standard. Penalty for violation of this Code also extends to include administrative disciplinary action.
During examinations, you must do your own work. Talking or discussion is not permitted during the examinations, nor may you compare papers, copy from others, or collaborate in any way. Any collaborative behavior during the examinations will result in failure of the exam, and may lead to administrative disciplinary action.
PLAGIARISM
Please note that Plagiarism (the use of sources not your own that you claim as your own intellectual property) will result in an automatic redo of the assignment, and disciplinary action. You will learn how to appropriately cite sources in this course. Mistakes will be tolerated and addressed. Intentionally stealing (or paying for) intellectual property that is not your own will NOT be tolerated.
Follow the link to see the CCSS for ELA in detail.
II. My Expectations
I expect that students will come to class prepared and ready to learn. Students who will be successful in my class are those that put forth their best effort on all assignments, have positive attitudes about the class and the work that they are doing, and are willing to ask questions about material or concepts that they do not understand. Students in my class are also expected to collaborate in order to get the most out of their learning. At all times, students should be respectful of themselves, each other, the teacher and their school.
Classroom Procedures/ Non-negotiables
- Follow school rules (refer to your handbook for questions).
- Bottled water ONLY! NO food, drinks, or gum allowed in the classroom.
- Respect everyone (school personnel AND other students).
- Be on time (in the room when the bell rings)!
- Stay in your seat unless otherwise directed.
- Follow all directions from adults!
- No cell phones, headphones, iPods, etc. unless otherwise directed! This is a school-wide rule!
- Don’t be stupid!
Refocus
Students who are not focused in class and are causing a disturbance in either their own learning or the learning of others will be sent to the refocus table, where they will remain for 5 minutes. While there, they will fill out a refocus slip that asks them to answer a series of questions about their behavior and its relation to their goals at EWSES. At the accumulation of 3 slips, a parent contact will be made and a conference will be requested. Contact may be made sooner if there is a serious academic impediment to the student based on their behavior.
III. Course Requirements:
1. Class attendance policy:
I expect students to be in class by the time the tardy bell rings every day. However, as we all know, life happens. To account for this, Wake County Schools has allowed students up to 10 unexcused absences. If students have more than 10 unexcused absences, the student will not get credit for the class, regardless of their academic grade. I will make no exceptions to this policy. In this event, it is the responsibility of the student and the parents to appeal to the school board for a waiver. Attendance will be listed in the PowerSchool ParentPortal.
2. Tardies:
Students are given ample time between classes to make it to class on time, and are expected to be in their seat and ready to begin class when the bell rings. If a student is in the hall when the bell rings, they will be locked out of the classroom and sent to the SES office for a note to class. The following discipline procedures will occur when a student is late:
- 1st late: Warning
- 2nd late: Call home
- 3rd late: Lunch Detention
- 4th+ late: Administrative referral and consequence
IV. Grading Procedures:
Grade Scale:
According to State Board Policy, a student's final grade for English 2 will be determined by students Quarter 1, Quarter 2, and EOC grades. These grades will be weighted as such:
Quarter 1: 37.5%
Quarter 2: 37.5%
EOC: 25%
Classroom assignments will be weighted as follows in PowerSchool:
Authentic Assessments: 80%
Other tasks: 20%
What is an Authentic Assessment?
Authentic assessments are used to make real world connections of the skills students are learning in their class. They reflect things that adults are expected to be able to do in the 'real world' most of the time. They measure multiple standards at once. In English, they usually involve some combination of reading, writing, and speaking/listening. These will be larger assessments (projects and tests).
What are other tasks?
Other tasks are (generally) the daily things we do in class. They are quizzes, homework, bellringers, reading checks, and so forth. These usually only assess one standard at a time. Each assessment in this category will be weighted differently based on a system of points. For example, a bellringer assignment for one week would only be worth 5 points, whereas an article with questions given for homework would be worth 20, and a quiz on grammar would be worth 50. These are determined by teacher discretion.
Redo Policy:
*The purpose of a redo policy is to assist you in mastering the content and skills of the class. Depending on the class lessons that week, it is not assured that you will be able to make up tests or quizzes during class time. Therefore, it is ultimately your responsibility to arrange for a time to get missing make up work/quizzes/tests; this may mean after school, at lunch, etc. You must go through remediation with me before you can retake a test!
Daily/Homework Assignments: With standards based grading, ALL assignments will be standards driven. The goal of this course is to make you proficient in the standards. You will be given a checklist of each standard/skill addressed in that unit at the start of the unit. Each standard is important. Keep track of your mastery of each skill. If you can show by the end of that unit that you have mastered that skill (SAVE ALL OF YOUR WORK because this will involve a portfolio process), your grade will be adjusted.
PLEASE NOTE: students will not be permitted to move forward until the skills from that week/unit have been mastered.
Authentic Assessments/Tests: If you score below a 70 (a failing grade) on a quiz or test, you must automatically schedule a complete retake. This will be a different kind of assessment from the original. You have approximately one week to re-take this quiz/test and you may earn up to an 85. I understand that many of you are very busy. I will try to work with you, but unreasonable or extra lengthy postponing of these retakes will not be acceptable. Remember, you will not move forward with the rest of the class unless you demonstrate mastery of the skills.
If you score above a 69 on a quiz or test, you may attend remediation and make corrections on the assignment once for 50% towards full credit.
Late Work Policy
The following procedures will be taken for incomplete student work:
- 1 missing assignment? Reminder from me to turn in work/ Green slip
- 2 missing assignments? Parent contact/ Green Slip
- 3 missing assignments? Lunch Detention/ Green Slip
Green slips will be kept as documentation for the student, parent, and teacher.
Make-Up Work Policy & Procedures (School Board Policy 6000)
At the secondary level, the student is responsible for securing makeup work. Schoolwork will be made up under the following conditions:
Excused Absences ~ Work that has been assigned by the teacher in advance, including tests assigned for the day of return, is due upon the student’s return to school. For work that has not been assigned in advance, students who are absent for one to three days will have one day for each day absent. For absences exceeding three days, the student may have two days for each day absent to make up work. All makeup work is for 100% credit; however, makeup work not completed and turned in on time will receive no credit. Excused absences are granted for one of the following reasons:
- Illness or injury which makes the student physically unable to attend school
- Isolation ordered by the State Board of Health or Wake County Health Department
- Death in the family
- Medical, dental, or other appointment with a health care provider approved in advance
- Court when a student is under subpoena
- Religious observance, as suggested by the religion of the student or the student’s parents
- Participation in a valid educational opportunity
Unexcused Absences ~ Students with unexcused absences have two school days following their return to school to complete and turn in any makeup work. Schools shall establish and communicate to students and parents their procedures for making up work following an unexcused absence. Make-up work shall be graded at a standard consistent with the original work. Credit equivalent to not less than 70% of the original value of the work shall be awarded for make-up work completed within the school’s established procedures. In making final determinations about credit, the procedures should take into account the following:
- The past performance of the student,
- Circumstances that may have made the unexcused absence unavoidable,
- Unusual family circumstances,
- Nature of the specific learning activity,
- Other issues that the teacher determines to be relevant to the situation,
Suspension longer than 5 days ~ Students suspended for more than five days must request makeup work from the teachers through the Student Services office. Ms. Sanders will contact teachers with date and time to submit work for student pick-up. Make-up work is due upon a students return to school.
Pre-approved absences (not school related) ~ Students must request makeup work from the teachers prior to leaving and makeup work is due upon a students return to school.
Pre-approved absences (school related) ~ Students must request makeup work from the teachers prior to leaving and makeup work is due within two school days of a students return to school.
Note: Any student absent more than 5 days must request make up work from Student Services.
V. Academic Integrity
CHEATING
Each student in this course is expected to abide by the Wake County Schools Code of Academic Integrity. Any work submitted by a student in this course for academic credit will be the student's own work.
You are encouraged to study together and to discuss information and concepts covered in class with other students. You can give consulting help to or receive consulting help from such students. However, this permissible cooperation should NEVER involve one student having possession of a copy of all or part of work done by someone else, in the form of an e mail, an e mail attachment file, a flash drive, text message, Google drive file, or a hard copy.
Should copying occur, BOTH the student who copied work from another student and the student who gave material to be copied will automatically receive a zero for the assignment and be given an alternate assignment to demonstrate mastery of this standard. Penalty for violation of this Code also extends to include administrative disciplinary action.
During examinations, you must do your own work. Talking or discussion is not permitted during the examinations, nor may you compare papers, copy from others, or collaborate in any way. Any collaborative behavior during the examinations will result in failure of the exam, and may lead to administrative disciplinary action.
PLAGIARISM
Please note that Plagiarism (the use of sources not your own that you claim as your own intellectual property) will result in an automatic redo of the assignment, and disciplinary action. You will learn how to appropriately cite sources in this course. Mistakes will be tolerated and addressed. Intentionally stealing (or paying for) intellectual property that is not your own will NOT be tolerated.