Syllabus and Contact Info

English 11 Academic/Advanced  2016-17 Syllabus

Hannah Baran ~ Room 109, 5th period

hbaran@k12albemarle.org (434) 975-9300 x60797

Course Overview

In English 11, students synthesize and refine the skills they have learned throughout their years in school to pass the end of course SOL exams in writing (March) and reading (May).  Of course, these exams are a benchmark of minimum competency, and I expect students to exceed their demands!  Our focus for writing will be on persuasion, though will also practice a variety of other styles.  Our focus for reading will be drama, and students will also select non-fiction texts to read independently.

Office Hours

I will be available for extra help in the peer tutoring center (room 88) during CHAT.  I may also be available during your study hall or free period.  Students are encouraged to notify me ahead of time if they plan to see me during CHAT to ensure that I’ll be available and prepared to meet with them.

Classroom Conduct Rules

Students are required to be kind, honest, brave, and responsible in class, and can expect to be treated the same way by me.  I expect students to follow my directions the first time they’re given, participate, and ask questions if they’re confused.

Peer Tutoring Center

Students are encouraged (and sometimes required) to make use of the peer tutors.  Tutoring is available before and after school, during lunch and CHAT, and throughout the day.

Late work: homework

Since all homework is preparation for classroom discussion and future writing, late work (except in the case of an excused absence) is penalized 50%.  I understand that many students have jobs or other obligations, so homework will be assigned rarely, except in the case where you did not finish an assignment during the time allotted during class.  However, you are expected to read daily from the independent book you have chosen.

Late work: essays, projects, etc.  

Students will receive 3 late passes per semester.  A late pass allows a student to turn in an assignment after the deadline but before the end of the marking period without penalty.  Late work submitted without a pass is penalized 25% for the first day late and 50% for all days after that.  The teacher reserves the right not to accept the assignment at all if it is excessively late.

Honor Policy/Plagiarism
Summary tools (Cliff Notes, Spark Notes.com, etc.) not provided by the teacher are NOT permitted.  Any work that is plagiarized in part or wholesale will be given a zero with a possible discipline referral.  Revision will be permitted only at teacher discretion.  I am available to help when needed!

Absences

Please do your best to come to class on time and prepared, both mentally and physically.  If you know ahead of time that you’ll be absent, check in with me about what you’ll miss.  If you’re absent unexpectedly, look at the daily agenda on our class website, check for assignments in Classroom, then email me if you have questions or need materials.  You are expected to come to CHAT before/after an absence to get caught up.

CHAT

Students are expected to come to CHAT before/after an absence to get caught up, or if they need extra help with an assignment.  Students who are given a CHAT pass are expected to attend by the end of the week, or will receive a referral for skipping.

Communication— Email is the best way to contact me, and I will respond within two school days.  If you prefer to call, please leave your phone number and the best time for me to return the call.  Before contacting me, please first check Parent Portal, where you will find a wealth of useful information, including grades, attendance, and missing assignments.   Our class website also contains a lot of useful information and is located at www.baranclassblog.blogspot.com.  Parents can also sign up for assignment updates via Google Classroom.  Parents are encouraged to attend back to school and parent-teacher conference nights.

Cell Phones

Using a cell phone for social/entertainment purposes during class is a distraction to you and disrespectful to me.  I generally offer a quick “tech break” at least once per period; otherwise, phones should be kept in the student’s bag.

Grading

The county policies for assigning grades and exam exemptions, as detailed in the student handbook, will be followed. All students must take the midterm and the Writing and Reading SOLs (unless they have already passed the SOL or an accepted alternative).  The midterm and final exam will likely be a project or presentation rather than a test. Extra credit is offered periodically to the whole class; students may not request individual extra credit.  A minimum of 60% of the 9 weeks grades will be derived from writing assignments.  Grades are rounded to the nearest tenth of a point.  The final grade is calculated as follows:

• 80% 9 weeks grades (20% for each quarter)
• 10% midterm
• 10% final exam (unless exempt)

Required Supplies:

• Charged laptop and power cord
• Pencils, pens, highlighter
• (optional) Flashcards, if that’s how you like to review vocabulary

Donations Welcomed & MUCH Appreciated:

Tissues, hand sanitizer, books for our class collection, pens & pencils, markers, highlighters

I am looking forward to a wonderful year together!