Syllabus for American Literature/Composition
General Syllabus
All students are expected to return the following forms, signed by a parent or guardian:
LAUSD Acceptable Use Policy for internet use.
DonorsChoose consent form
LAUSD Photo and Publicity Release Form
Suggested supplies:
Two composition books (one for fall, one for spring)
Black or dark-blue pens (I suggest erasable)
Red pens for editing
Highlighters, any color (avoid purple, too dark)
Pack of tissues
Optional: Green pen, purple pen, white-out tape (not liquid);
Helpful for use at home: Chromebook (simplest possible), internet connection, printer, white paper.
You MUST bring glasses and wear them if prescribed.
Grades:
(Flexible proportions, may change as curriculum modified during semester)
10% homework
60% classwork (includes discussion participation)
20% projects (includes final essays)
10% quizzes, tests, exams, assessments
Progress Reports and Report Cards
90-100% = A
80-89.99% = B
70-79.99% = C
60-69.99% = D (does not give A-G credit for UC/CSU applicants, as of 8/2015 must retake)
Below 60% = Fail
What You Will Learn This Semester:
All instruction is aligned to the California Common Core State Standards for your subject. Textbook titles and readings listed on class link, above.
The Rules:
1. All school rules apply in class, at all times.
2. Do not do to someone else anything that you would not want done to you.
3. You may make decisions about your own behavior, as long as it does not pose a problem for you, your teacher, or your classmates.
4. Be here mentally, physically, and on time.
5. Do your work.
6. Let others do their work.
7. No excuses, whining, or sob stories unless assigned by me (and I never assign any).
General Notes:
1. Please do not eat or drink during instruction, unless specifically allowed.
2. Mobile devices must be OFF and AWAY during instruction. They may sometimes be used during lessons, with permission.
3. If your phone rings/dings/buzzes/vibrates during class, I reserve the right to take that call or respond to text. If a phone is confiscated, it goes directly to the Dean, who sometimes holds them for months at a time.
4. If you are late to class, please enter quietly, as if you want no one to see/hear/feel/notice you.
5. If I intercept badly passed notes, I sometimes post them in my Passed Notes Museum, and they don't come down for the year.
Consequences for misbehavior in class:
1. Direct eye contact with raised eyebrows;
2. Uncomfortably long direct eye contact;
3. Eye contact with a scowl;
4. Looking at your sternly and saying your name, possibly your WHOLE name;
5. I speak to you in a grave tone, at my desk;
6. I speak to you in a grave tone in the corner;
7. Teacher says "I am extremely disappointed in you," and looks very, very sad.
8. Phone call to parents, aunts, uncles, or grandparents -- whoever is available first.
9. Discussion about your academic progress with counselor;
10. Conversation about your behavioral choices and personal character with a Dean.
All students are expected to return the following forms, signed by a parent or guardian:
LAUSD Acceptable Use Policy for internet use.
DonorsChoose consent form
LAUSD Photo and Publicity Release Form
Suggested supplies:
Two composition books (one for fall, one for spring)
Black or dark-blue pens (I suggest erasable)
Red pens for editing
Highlighters, any color (avoid purple, too dark)
Pack of tissues
Optional: Green pen, purple pen, white-out tape (not liquid);
Helpful for use at home: Chromebook (simplest possible), internet connection, printer, white paper.
You MUST bring glasses and wear them if prescribed.
Grades:
(Flexible proportions, may change as curriculum modified during semester)
10% homework
60% classwork (includes discussion participation)
20% projects (includes final essays)
10% quizzes, tests, exams, assessments
Progress Reports and Report Cards
90-100% = A
80-89.99% = B
70-79.99% = C
60-69.99% = D (does not give A-G credit for UC/CSU applicants, as of 8/2015 must retake)
Below 60% = Fail
What You Will Learn This Semester:
All instruction is aligned to the California Common Core State Standards for your subject. Textbook titles and readings listed on class link, above.
The Rules:
1. All school rules apply in class, at all times.
2. Do not do to someone else anything that you would not want done to you.
3. You may make decisions about your own behavior, as long as it does not pose a problem for you, your teacher, or your classmates.
4. Be here mentally, physically, and on time.
5. Do your work.
6. Let others do their work.
7. No excuses, whining, or sob stories unless assigned by me (and I never assign any).
General Notes:
1. Please do not eat or drink during instruction, unless specifically allowed.
2. Mobile devices must be OFF and AWAY during instruction. They may sometimes be used during lessons, with permission.
3. If your phone rings/dings/buzzes/vibrates during class, I reserve the right to take that call or respond to text. If a phone is confiscated, it goes directly to the Dean, who sometimes holds them for months at a time.
4. If you are late to class, please enter quietly, as if you want no one to see/hear/feel/notice you.
5. If I intercept badly passed notes, I sometimes post them in my Passed Notes Museum, and they don't come down for the year.
Consequences for misbehavior in class:
1. Direct eye contact with raised eyebrows;
2. Uncomfortably long direct eye contact;
3. Eye contact with a scowl;
4. Looking at your sternly and saying your name, possibly your WHOLE name;
5. I speak to you in a grave tone, at my desk;
6. I speak to you in a grave tone in the corner;
7. Teacher says "I am extremely disappointed in you," and looks very, very sad.
8. Phone call to parents, aunts, uncles, or grandparents -- whoever is available first.
9. Discussion about your academic progress with counselor;
10. Conversation about your behavioral choices and personal character with a Dean.