English & Composition I: Course Expectations
Chelsea Weiss Room: 164 & 167
cweiss@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us
Course Description: The purpose of this course is to help you to become a more effective reader and writer. To this end, we will study literature from a variety of genres, time periods and places. We will also look at literature and art while asking ourselves: How does perspective change and create storytelling? We will explore the ways in which elements such as, genre, structure, syntax and word choice define and redefine texts throughout history.
Major works include: Romeo and Juliet, Oedipus Rex, Haroun and the Sea of Stories, and a variety of short stories, essays, myths and poems. You will have the opportunity to write in a variety of styles, but this course will focus on writing expository essays and analytical writing. You will learn how to craft a strong argument, generate compelling thesis statements and support your claims with well organized evidence. Further, to be a successful student in this class, you must understand that a piece of writing is never finished! Your writing can always improve, and it is in this spirit that we will return to your writing for revision throughout the year. Additionally, to help you improve your reading and writing skills, we will be studying grammar and vocabulary throughout the year.
Academic Expectations: This class will be guided by the following school-wide academic expectations.
· Write clearly and effectively, producing work that is informative, well organized, and appropriate to its purpose
· Read and comprehend varied materials and be able to interpret and apply what they have read
· Listen actively and respond to communications through inquiry, discussion, writing, and various forms of art.
Classroom Expectations: Above all else, this classroom will be a place in which all of its members are respected at all times. Our classroom will be a fun and welcoming place where we listen to each other, encourage each other to share ideas and contribute to class discussion. In order for this to happen, you are expected to come to class ready to learn and ready to be a part of this community.
Preparation & Organization: You are expected to come to class on time (which means you are in your seat when the second bell rings) and have all of your materials ready. Every day you will be expected to bring:
- An English folder OR section in a larger binder
- A planner for homework assignments
- Last night’s homework
- A pen/pencil
- All relevant books
- Post-its (unless you buy your own copy of the text)
- A composition book to be kept in the classroom as a journal (NO SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS)
Writing: All LHS 9th graders are expected to complete four major pieces of writing each quarter. These pieces will not all be expository essays, but it is expected that they will be word processed and kept in the classroom. You will have a folder kept in the room for your work, which will be sent home a periodically for your parents to view.
Due Dates: All work is expected to be handed in on time. All major assignments will lose one letter grade for every day they are late. Because homework is a valuable part of high school success, all freshmen will be using the Zeros Aren’t Permitted (ZAP) program. If you do not complete your homework on time, you have multiple chances to complete the work for partial credit and increased teacher support. For example, for a nightly homework assignment, ZAP credit breaks down as follows:
| Point Value | Criteria |
| 4 (full credit) | The assignment is completed on time and with effort. |
| 3 (75%) | The assignment is incomplete or completed after school during ZAP |
| 2 (50%) | The assignment is passed in the next class or work is 50% completed |
| 1 (25%) | The assignment is more than one class period late and is poorly completed |
Of course, if you know ahead of time that you going to need help on an assignment, I am here after school for extra support before the assignment is due.
Attendance: If you are absent, it is your responsibility to meet with me. Further, the daily agenda is posted on my website, so it is a good idea to check the website while you are out. The LHS policy regarding absences is clearly explained in the student handbook. It is important that both you and your parent(s)/guardian review the policy with special attention to the section about tardiness and its connection to the N grade. When you are tardy to my class, you should expect to stay after school with me. You will be asked to check in with me at the end of the day if you are late.
Grading: You will receive A-F grades for all major assignments. All essays and projects will be assigned with a rubric. You will be graded based on the standards set forth in those rubrics. Smaller assignments, quizzes and homework will all be assigned a point value. You will know the point value of every assignment at the time it is given. Hopefully, this will help you gauge the amount of time and effort each assignment deserves. Grades in this class will never be arbitrary; you will always know why you received the grade on your work. I will also keep you informed about your grade throughout the course. I promise, there will be no surprises! I will be happy to discuss your grade with you at any time during the year if you make an appointment with me at least 24 hours in advance.
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I, _______________________, have read the course expectations and understand that I will be held
(student name)
responsible for upholding the course expectations.
I, _______________________, have read the course expectations and can be reached by:
(parent name)
Home phone: _______________________ Email: ______________________________
Student signature: ______________________ Parent signature: ______________________
Anything you would like me to know:
