An Overview of Mr. Shaw’s English II Class

Class Goals

I want to give all students opportunities to:

• Hone their writing skills
• Become more proficient readers
• Have opportunities to read and engage with significant themes in literature
• Increase their knowledge of the technical aspects of written and spoken English.
• Gain the skills necessary to be able to work at their highest levels in all their classes throughout their high school careers and beyond.
•  Achieve in a safe learning environment

Class Activities

Reading:

• A Separate Peaceby John Knowles
• A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
• Mutiny on the Bounty by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall
• Selected poems, short stories, and essays by various writers

 

Quizzes:

• Frequent reading quizzes usually by chapters
• Vocabulary quizzes
• English Usage quizzes

 

Writing:

• Interpretations of literature
• Persuasive essays
• Personal narratives
• Readingjournals

 

Writing assignments will include rubrics describing specifically how students can earn an A, B, C, or other for each one.  In general though, writing is evaluated by these criteria:

• Unity of purpose
• Readability
• Logical structure
• Sense of audience
• Presentation and correctness
•  

Language Skills:

• Parts of speech
• Sentence and paragraph structure
• Elements of composition
• Vocabulary development
•  

Grades

A         excellent

B         very good

C         competent

D         passing but sub-standard

F          failing

Classroom Policies for Mr. Shaw’s Classes

In addition to the following policies, all school rules will apply in the classroom.

General Guidelines for Classroom Conduct

When the teacher is conducting class, students are quietly in their seats and talk only when called on by the teacher.

Students are respectful to other students and to the teacher.

Students do not touch other people’s possessions without permission.

Students do not misuse or deface school property.

Students devote class time to doing assigned work.

Tardy

A student is tardy if he/she is not in the room when the bell rings.  Very soon after the bell rings, I will ring a chime.  By the time the chime stops ringing, students should be in their assigned seats, not talking, and ready to do class work. 

One tardy will be allowed for each student for each of the two semesters of the school year.

For each tardy beyond the first, a deduction will be made from a student’s class participation grade for that semester except under the following condition:

If a student who is tardy comes for ISP that same day, the tardy will be marked excused and no deduction will be made.

If a student is tardy more than 4 times in a semester, parents will be contacted and a conference will be scheduled to determine further consequences.

Leaving Class

Students should not leave class during the period unless they receive a specific request from a teacher, counselor, etc.

If a student needs to go to the bathroom or get something from a locker, the student is to sign his/her name to the sign-out sheet posted by the door, noting the time out and in.  Backpacks, purses, etc. are to be left in the classroom.  This is to be done only during times when students are working independently at their desks.  Students may not leave without a prior pass during instruction times, class presentations, or quizzes.      

Specific Expectations for Classroom Conduct

Beginning Class

Each class period will begin with an assignment that will include reading and/or writing.  When the chime is rung, students are expected to be in their seats and begin working quietly by the time the chime stops ringing.

During Class Time

• Students are expected to have brought needed materials (i.e. books, pencils or pens, works in progress, etc.) to class.
• Back packs are to be closed and zipped during the class period.
• Anything other than class materials out during class time (i.e. outside books, work from other classes, cosmetics, gum, candy, toys, etc.) may be taken by the teacher and returned after school.
• During individual work periods, students are to stay in their assigned seats unless otherwise directed by the teacher. 
• Except as explained below, students may get up from their seats to sharpen pencils, get paper, use a tissue, throw away trash, etc. 

Class Discussions and Presentations

• During times when the teacher or a student is talking to the class, explaining or clarifying an assignment, or reading, the other students are expected to be quiet, attentive, and refrain from making disruptive noises (tapping pencils, crinkling paper, etc.). 
• Students are also to remain in their seats during these times, waiting until a more appropriate moment to sharpen pencils, throw away trash, or anything else that requires getting up. 
• If there is an immediate need to get up, the student should ask permission and then go around the back of the desks to accomplish the need rather than in front of the presenter or teacher. 
• A student who wishes to ask a question or make a comment during a presentation or discussion should raise his hand and wait to be called on.

Quizzes and Tests

• During times when students are taking quizzes or tests, everyone is to refrain from talking, and they are to have their eyes on their own work only. 
• Students who finish early will turn their own work in and return to their assigned seats without talking or interacting with other students in any way. 
• All students will be expected to be quiet and keep from talking or interacting in any way with other students until everyone is finished with the quiz or test. 
• During these times, students may work on other assignments or read.
• Students who are not able to maintain complete silence during these times may get 0 on their quiz or test.  This could be made up during ISP that day.    

Doing Work

• In general, students are expected to do their own work. 
• When a student has a question about or doesn’t understand an assignment, the student should ask the teacher for help. 
• If there is a particular reason for having another student’s input, this should be explained to the teacher, whereupon permission may be given.

Class Participation Grade

All the behaviors described on this page are very important for success in this class.  A significant part of the students’ overall grades will be based on how well they fulfill these expectations.

Classroom Procedures and Grading for Mr. Shaw’s English Class

Homework & Class Work

• Generally, homework is to be turned in at the beginning of the period of the day it is due.  Late work will not be accepted for credit.  In certain cases, make-up work may be done during ISP.  This must be arranged with the teacher ahead of time.    
• Homework is to be done on clean lined paper that is not torn.  Handwriting must be easily readable, either printed or cursive.  Work may be done in dark ink or pencil unless otherwise specified.
• The first page of writing assignments is to have the student’s name, the date, period, and the assignment title on the upper right corner of the first page.  If there are multiple pages, they are to be stapled on the left corner.
• All homework and class work must be completely the student’s own work unless it has been specifically assigned as group work.  Students who turn in work that appears significantly similar or identical to one another’s may receive a 0 for the assignment. 

Absences

• When a student is absent, he or she must bring a clearance slip to the teacher at the beginning of class when the student returns.  The student should get the clearance slip before class begins so that he or she will not be tardy.
• A student may make up work missed during an absence.  Details should be worked out with the teacher during ISP, not during class time.
• A log of daily lessons, assignments, and handouts will be available for students who have been absent.  Students should check this to see what they missed and make arrangements with the teacher for doing make-up work.

Grading

Grades are based primarily upon these components: essays, homework, quizzes, tests, projects, oral assignments, and class participation.  Assignments are weighted based on their complexity.  Grading rubrics are developed for each individual assignment and are explained to the students before the assignments are due.  Every graded assignment fits into one of four categories:

20 Point Assignments            10 Point Assignments            5 Point Assignments 

18                           A                             9                              A                             4.5                          A

16                           B                             8                              B                             4                              B

14                           C                             7                              C                             3.5                          C

12                           D                             6                              D                             3                              D

Below 12           F                      Below 6                 F                              Below 3                 F

One point is given for daily assignments and most homework.  The point is based on the assignment being completed on time.  If it is done, turned in on time, the point is earned.

Individual results on the California State Tests may be factored into final spring semester grades according to guidelines approved by Corning Union High School District.