English Language Arts 10 B

Mrs. Bridgman

 

“The mission of Clarkston Community Schools is to cultivate thinkers, learners, and positive contributors to a global society.”    

~ Dr. Rod Rock, Superintendent

 

English Language Arts 10 is designed to help students develop an enjoyment of literature by focusing on reading, speaking, listening, and thinking.  As a writer, each individual will work toward enhanced expression, flexibility, creativity, accuracy, and other areas of personal growth. 

 

We will work on the following units this trimester:

  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  • Poetry
  • Synthesis Essay
  • Independent Reading – I strongly encourage parental involvement when making reading selections.

 

Please refer to my website for descriptions of the novels we will be reading together in class.

 

Classroom Expectations

Be on time. Tardies count.

E veryone has a right to voice their opinion, but know when and how to do it appropriately.

 

R isk: take a chance on learning.

E veryone in the room is a valuable part of this community.

S mile. Laugh. Have a positive attitude. J

P ick up after yourself. Garbage on the floor clutters the room.

E njoy our differences.It’s what makes life interesting.

C ome to class prepared.  Be prepared to think, to work, to participate!

T alk to the teacher! Tell me what I need to know to help you.

F ollow the dress code. Reveal your soul, not your skin.

U nderstand that I get the final say. I am the teacher after all.

L ost? Ask questions, ask for help, ask again until you get what you need.

 

Above all, be respectful!

 

Materials

  • 3-ring binder or folder to keep all handouts, notes, and assignments for this class only
  • Writer’s Notebook – this should be a separate spiral or composition notebook
  • student planner
  • paper and writing utensils

 

If for any reason you are unable to purchase any of the materials listed above, please let me know.

 

Workplace Skills and Attitudes

As a member of the class, you will be expected to participate in this course as if it were a professional work environment.  The Workplace Skills and Attitudes grade will reflect your ability to act in a mature, cooperative, responsible, and respectful manner at all times.  This grade will take into account:


Skills

  • time management
  • successfully communicating with both teachers and peers
  • setting and completing tasks/trimester goals
  • asking for and offering assistance
  • following directions
  • listening to instructions, discussions and lessons
  • making thinking visible by speaking up in class

 

Attitudes

  • contributing to a positive classroom environment
  • respect for classroom, building and peers
  • staying open-minded to all opinions, thoughts and interpretations of classroom material
  • willingness to express your own opinions, thoughts and interpretations
  • authentic engagement in the learning process


Student Absences and Late Work

  • Attendance is mandatory to ensure success in the classroom
  • It is your responsibility to seek out make-up work if you are absent.
  • You will have the same number of days that you were absent to make up missed assignments, per our school policy.  This does not include major assignments (more than one week prep time); these are due on or before the assigned day, regardless of prior absence.
  • If an assignment is due on a day when you are absent, you will be expected to turn it in the day that you return. 
  • Projects, papers and homework will be accepted late.  Assignments one day late will be worth 90% of the points earned; assignments two days late will be worth 80% of the points earned; assignments three days late will be worth 70% of the points earned; assignments four or more days late will be worth 60% of the points earned. 
  • I will not accept late work during the last week of the trimester.  No exceptions.

 

 

Technology Usage

Because the mission of Clarkston Community Schools is to prepare students for 21st century learning, there will be several components of this course requiring students to access computers/ technology from home or on a student’s own time.  These requirements may include but are not limited to:

  • typing papers
  • participating in online discussions; please register as a member of my online learning community by going to www.thinkandlearn.collaborizeclassroom.com
  • viewing clips on YouTube or a similar website
  • listening to songs online
  • creating podcasts or videos
  • peer editing writing assignments online

 

If it will be difficult for you to access a computer from home for these purposes, please let me know as soon as possible.  Together, we will find a solution to this problem so that your success in this course will not be compromised.

 

Typed Assignments

  • ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE WHEN YOU WALK INTO CLASS.  You will not be given time at the beginning of the hour to “just print off” your work.
  • In the rare case of computer or printer failures, I will accept a copy of your paper via email.  If this is not possible, a handwritten copy with a note from a parent or guardian to verify the validity of the problem will be required.  In all other cases, a typed, hard copy should be turned in. 
  • Papers should be double-spaced, typed in 12 point font, and labeled with your first name, last name, date, and hour.
  • All typed assignments must also be submitted to www.turnitin.com by the specified due date. 

 

Grading Structure

Summative assessments (major grades at the end of each unit)     50%

Formative assessments (homework and other daily assignments)   40%

Workplace Skills and Attitudes (participation) 10%

 

Student Evaluation

Please keep all work.  Check to be sure that work completed is accurately shown on your grades that will be posted regularly online.

 

Donations

Throughout the course of the trimester, we go through many class supplies.  Donations to the class are greatly appreciated.  Here is a list of items on the class wish list:  facial tissue, pencils, pens, loose leaf paper, and books for the classroom library.

 

Contact Info

· I teach all day in Room A 313 and have first hour conference.  I am available both before and after school if you need extra help.  It is advisable, however, that you check with me in advance to avoid potential conflict with other meetings.

· My voice mail number is (248) 623-4033.

· Email: mrbridgman@clarkston.k12.mi.us

 

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.