Course Description
English I is a rigorous college preparatory class that requires students to complete numerous reading and writing assignments on a daily basis. In addition, students will complete several assignments pertaining to vocabulary, spelling, and grammar in order to improve their skills. There will be monthly examinations in class.
Classwork
Students will work collaboratively completing several projects and group presentations during the school year as well as individual projects and assignments. Class will start with ten minutes of personal journaling every single day from day one until the last day. Students will be provided a writing prompt each day to spark their thinking. The benefits of journaling are manyfold, but there are three main benefits: 1) Reduces stress 2) Improves writing and 3) Empowers the writer. William James (philosopher and psychologist) said, "If you can change your mind, you can change your life." One way of changing your mind is to journal about your life. Our own life will be a textbook in this class. According to the Huffington Post, "Writing about the ups and downs of your daily life can help you to get perspective on your experiences and find lessons in them."
Homework
You will be assigned one homework assignment every other week. Homework assignments are designed to give you opportunities to improve your communication skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. If you need help on any of the homework assignments, you can ask me under the ask-a-question link.
Materials
*Notebook/Journal- you will need to acquire a notebook for our daily journaling. Since you will be using this notebook on a daily basis I suggest that you get something you will be comfortable with. You can get your favorite color notebook, or cover it with magazine pictures or internet pictures to express your style and personality. Notebooks are due by next Friday, September 13.
*(Purple) Holt Literature Textbook- you will be issued this text in the library and will keep it at home. Make sure to keep it in a place that is easy access; you will have homework assignments to complete using this text.
*(Green) Rhetorical Reader-
Behavior
I expect everyone to respect each other and to treat everyone with the utmost respect. My learning philosophy emphasizes teamwork. Once you understand something, you have a duty of sharing that with your peers. Learning can be difficult at times, but with hard work and diligence we can all help each other and learn together. If behavioral problems arise, I will redirect you to the task at hand. If the behavioral problem continues, I will ask you to step outside so I can remind you of the task and get you back on track to success. Finally, if the problem persists, we will conference (teacher, student, parents) to work together and help you reach success.
Grading Policy
Every activity/assignment will count for credit. You do the work, you get the credit. It will either be stamped with full credit or incomplete. If you're missing more than one question, it will be marked incomplete. Make sure to finish the assignment thoroughly and pay attention to details.
*Key Assignments- these are major projects and count for a lot of credit. They will be graded using a four-point scale. A four is the best grade you can earn
Life is a journey. It is my pleasure to be a part of your journey. I believe in all my pupils!
Mr. J.
"Stay Alert Stay Alive!"
English I is a rigorous college preparatory class that requires students to complete numerous reading and writing assignments on a daily basis. In addition, students will complete several assignments pertaining to vocabulary, spelling, and grammar in order to improve their skills. There will be monthly examinations in class.
Classwork
Students will work collaboratively completing several projects and group presentations during the school year as well as individual projects and assignments. Class will start with ten minutes of personal journaling every single day from day one until the last day. Students will be provided a writing prompt each day to spark their thinking. The benefits of journaling are manyfold, but there are three main benefits: 1) Reduces stress 2) Improves writing and 3) Empowers the writer. William James (philosopher and psychologist) said, "If you can change your mind, you can change your life." One way of changing your mind is to journal about your life. Our own life will be a textbook in this class. According to the Huffington Post, "Writing about the ups and downs of your daily life can help you to get perspective on your experiences and find lessons in them."
Homework
You will be assigned one homework assignment every other week. Homework assignments are designed to give you opportunities to improve your communication skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. If you need help on any of the homework assignments, you can ask me under the ask-a-question link.
Materials
*Notebook/Journal- you will need to acquire a notebook for our daily journaling. Since you will be using this notebook on a daily basis I suggest that you get something you will be comfortable with. You can get your favorite color notebook, or cover it with magazine pictures or internet pictures to express your style and personality. Notebooks are due by next Friday, September 13.
*(Purple) Holt Literature Textbook- you will be issued this text in the library and will keep it at home. Make sure to keep it in a place that is easy access; you will have homework assignments to complete using this text.
*(Green) Rhetorical Reader-
Behavior
I expect everyone to respect each other and to treat everyone with the utmost respect. My learning philosophy emphasizes teamwork. Once you understand something, you have a duty of sharing that with your peers. Learning can be difficult at times, but with hard work and diligence we can all help each other and learn together. If behavioral problems arise, I will redirect you to the task at hand. If the behavioral problem continues, I will ask you to step outside so I can remind you of the task and get you back on track to success. Finally, if the problem persists, we will conference (teacher, student, parents) to work together and help you reach success.
Grading Policy
Every activity/assignment will count for credit. You do the work, you get the credit. It will either be stamped with full credit or incomplete. If you're missing more than one question, it will be marked incomplete. Make sure to finish the assignment thoroughly and pay attention to details.
*Key Assignments- these are major projects and count for a lot of credit. They will be graded using a four-point scale. A four is the best grade you can earn
Life is a journey. It is my pleasure to be a part of your journey. I believe in all my pupils!
Mr. J.
"Stay Alert Stay Alive!"