No Put Downs—no one, including the teacher, will put down any person (this means before or after the bell) at any time.  “Aw, c’mon I was just kidding,” or “Yeah, Mr. H., we were just kidding,” won’t cut it as an excuse.

If you need help, ask for it.--I will be available before and after school as well as during study hall and lunch/preparation periods.

Emergency Pass—you will be given three emergency passes.  These passes may be used to avoid losing teacher evaluation credit for a bathroom break, drinking fountain run, or locker errand.  Passes are non-transferable (you may not share or swap passes) and must be in possession when needed. Permission to leave class will not be granted without such a pass.

Grading System

English 11 and 12

Speech and Debate

English 11 and 12

Essays and test (35%)

Expect a final exam for each class novel

Expect a minimum of 6 major writing assignments (research papers and literary essays)

Writing assignments will be graded using the 6 Traits of Good Writing Model

 

Quizzes and in-class assignments (20%)

Daily reading quizzes are given for each class novel

Sentence study practice includes open notes quizzes

 

Independent Reading/Accelerated Reader (25%)

Students must read two novel of their choice, but at a grade/skill appropriate level from the Accelerated Reader list each quarter  see here for more details

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Teacher Evaluation (20%)

Participation—working or studying, adding to a positive learning environment

Effort—working or studying with or without help from teacher, completing all assignments and NOT taking zeros

Consideration—thinking about the rest of the people in the class before acting or speaking

Responsibility—arriving to class on time, with all assignments and materials, and ready to work immediately after the tardy bell rings

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Speech and Debate:

Semester 1 (Quarters 1 and 2)

Short Practice Speeches (from The Complete Book of Speech Communication) 20%

Major Speeches/Career Unit Assignments 20%

Vocabulary/jargon quizzes 15%

Accelerated Reader 25%

Teacher Evaluation 20%

 

Semester 2 (Quarters 3 and 4)

Major Research Paper 15%

Practice Debates 15%

Accelerated Reader 25%

Major Debates 25%

Teacher Evaluation 20%

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All students will be scored on a cumulative point scale (often involving rubrics, a.k.a. grading scales) and then transformed to percentage. Each assignment or activity will have a point value, both written on the assignment and orally introduced before the assignment is given.  All new grading scales will be reviewed with the class before an assignment is given.  Previously used grading scales will be open for student discussion or review, but will not be formally reintroduced.  At the end of a quarter, earned points are averaged with the total number possible.  All district grading policies apply.

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