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Mrs. Fisher American Literature 2010-2011: Fisher - [email protected] - Us

Mrs. Fisher welcomes students to her American Literature class and outlines the course goals and expectations. Students will study American authors from the colonial era to today. They will develop reading, writing, speaking and analytical skills through a variety of assignments including a research paper and portfolio. The syllabus emphasizes organization, attendance, homework policies, and academic honesty. Students are expected to come prepared daily, turn work in on time, and complete all assignments independently.

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olyenglish
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744 views

Mrs. Fisher American Literature 2010-2011: Fisher - [email protected] - Us

Mrs. Fisher welcomes students to her American Literature class and outlines the course goals and expectations. Students will study American authors from the colonial era to today. They will develop reading, writing, speaking and analytical skills through a variety of assignments including a research paper and portfolio. The syllabus emphasizes organization, attendance, homework policies, and academic honesty. Students are expected to come prepared daily, turn work in on time, and complete all assignments independently.

Uploaded by

olyenglish
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mrs.

Fisher
American Literature
2010-2011

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to American Literature and Sprague High School. I look
forward to an exciting and educational year which students will:

♣ Become familiar with classic and contemporary American literature, including fiction,
poetry, non-fiction and informational materials. The course presents a chronological study of
several American authors and their works. Students will read and discuss a variety of works
ranging from the colonial era to contemporary times. One of the goals of the course is to
prepare students for AP English or College Writing next year. A major component of the
course is a research paper based on a novel that students will read as a class. This assignment
allows students to hone their research and writing skills.
♣ Further develop important reading, writing and speaking and analytical skills focused on
college readiness and retention. Students will maintain a portfolio that will contain student
work from this year, including an biographical essay, persuasive essay, research paper, and
response to literature writing activities.
♣ Develop high expectations and respect for themselves and others.
♣ Below I have highlighted important details regarding this course. Please read this together.
In order to save money because of budget cuts, this syllabus will only be offered online,
unless otherwise requested. Your student, however, does how a form that must be signed by
both yourself and the student, noting that you have read and understand this entire syllabus.
If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 503-399-3261. You may also reach me by
email at [email protected].
Keys for success:

1. Materials: Students must bring all their materials EVERYDAY. Materials include any
textbooks being read. The materials required are: 3-ring binder with loose-leaf paper, one
70-80 page spiral bound notebook (one for each semester), 2 pens, 2 pencils, 2 highlighters, 2
glue sticks, and post –it notes.

2. If Absent: Regardless of any type of absence students are allowed to make up work.
Students in this course are provided with a year long course calendar. All homework
assignments are available from the start of the course. There is no excuse for not turning in
work, as it has been provided to you well in advance. Homework assignments, regardless of
absence are due the class period immediately following the date assigned. It is my
expectation that all work will be completed and turned in on time, no excuse. The only
permissible reason for not turning in assignments is bereavement.
If a student is absent on the day a homework assignment is due, the student is expected to
turn in that assignment, as well as the assignment that is due the day the student returns. I
DO NOT ACCEPT late work Please note that this is a strict policy. Students must be
responsible and turn things in on time.

3. Attendance: Attendance is crucial to a student’s success. Students must be here to be


able to do well in this class. After 5 absences, excused or not, I will call home and let the
parent/guardian know that the students grade is being adversely affected by poor
attendance. After 8 absences (in a six week grading period), I will notify the parent/
guardian again and send an attendance referral to the office.

4. Homework: Students can expect homework every night except for Fridays and major
breaks (Winter/Spring). Homework that is done poorly, where it is sloppy, illegible,
written in incomplete sentences, or not done in its entirety, will be returned to the student
to re-do for partial points. Please review the absence policy, as it contains important
information about turning in homework assignments if absent. Let me reiterate- I do not
accept late work and homework is expected to be completed and turned in on time. A
majority of your homework will consist of reading. If you do not complete your reading,
you will have a difficult time passing this course.

5. Grading: The grading scale I use is as follows:


100-98% A+ 79-78% C+
97- 93% A 77-73% C
92-90% A- 72-70% C-
89-88% B+ 69-68% D+
87-83% B 67-63% D
82-80% B- 62-60% D-
59-0 F

The grading percentage breakdown is as follows:


40% Interactive Notebook 40% Writing
10% Homework and Participation 10% Tests/Quizzes

In-touch may have some symbols that are unfamiliar to you. Below are the
definitions:
* Work not turned in, student earned 0 points
/ In but not graded

Classroom policies and procedures:


♣ Students are expected to be in their seats, ready to do the board work when the bell rings.
Students who are not in their seats at his time will be marked tardy. The school wide tardy
system will be enforced. Additionally, any time you take away from my class by being late, I
expect to be made up on your own time (before/after school or during lunch)
♣ ALL WORK is expected to be your own. When you submit any assignment, journal
exercise, or test it must be an original work containing your own thoughts and ideas.
Submitting another person’s work (even in part) constitutes cheating; you will not receive
points for the assignment, and the violation will be noted in your discipline record. Likewise,
if you assist another student in the process of cheating, by allowing them to copy your work,
for example, your assignment will also be counted as a zero. On many of your homework
assignments, you may work together to discuss the questions and possible answers, but the
final product must reflect your own work.
♣ Disrespect towards others and the teacher will not be tolerated. Some consequences might
include a lunch detention, parent conference, or a referral.
♣ A big emphasis is placed on organization. The goal is for each student to learn how to be
responsible, and develop habits what will help him/her be successful in school and in life.
Students are expected to bring their planners and our course calendars. Parents can check
these calendars to see what homework is being assigned each day. In addition to this, I have
created a course website to say up to date with assignments. Please note, in order to see
specific due dates you must download a course calendar. You can visit it by visiting
www.olyenglish11.blogspot.com. Please call me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Fisher

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