SS-Course+Syllabus


 * NMUSD Summer School 2009**
 * 11th Grade Composition and Literature 3A Course Expectations**


 * Instructor: David James Conlay**
 * Room #: 245**
 * Office Hours:** By appointment


 * Email: dconlay@nmusd.us**


 * Web Site: [|www.aristotle-experiment.wikispaces.com]**


 * Introduction:** I received my teaching credential in Language Arts and my BA in English with a Minor in Spanish from the University of California, Irvine.
 * Course Description:** This course will explore various genres of literature such as short stories, poetry, novels, movies, and plays. Students will improve proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and critical thinking in accordance with the California State Standards for 11th grade Language Arts. Through analyzing the critical and artistic aspects of literature, students will be better prepared to interpret literature and apply it to their lives.

This course also aims to equip students with a variety of tools that they can use to find their voice, explore who they are, express themselves through writing, and have fun!
 * Course Texts:** Prentice Hall: //The American Experience;// Ernest Hemingway: //In Our Time//; other selections as assigned.
 * Major Assignments:**

__Literature__: //In Our Time//; Historical Documents; Short Stories __Writing__: Historical Investigation Report, Response to Literature, Fictional Narrative __Listening and Speaking__: Historical Investigation Report Presentation, Response to Literature Presentation, Narrative Presentation __Independent Reading:__ Student selected novel (Must not be part of your regular coursework for NMUSD), [|book review], graphic essay.
 * First Semester**


 * Attendance and Tardies:** Attendance is very important for this class. Most of the assignments done in class are contingent on previous class work/discussions and build understanding for future activities. Students who miss class will find it difficult to progress with the rest of the class and comprehend future assignments. Students are responsible to find out what assignments (in and out of class) they missed. It is not the teacher’s responsibility to inform students of missing assignments.

Students are expected to be present and on time to class every day. At the beginning of each class, students are required to complete 5-10 minute silent writing activities. Students who are tardy to class will not be able to receive credit for these activities. In accordance with NMUSD’s tardy policy, a student will be marked tardy if he or she is not in his or her seat when the bell rings. Four tardies will equal 1 unexcused absence. If you have more than 1 absences, you will be dropped from the class.


 * Academic Responsibility:** Students are expected to follow ethical standards in preparing and presenting material which demonstrates their level of knowledge and is used to determine grades. Such standards are founded on the basic principles of honesty and integrity (consequences for cheating or plagiarism will be administered in accordance with the NMUSD Academic Integrity Policy).


 * Discipline:** NMUSD is committed to providing a learning environment that allows for the productive interaction of teachers and students in a safe, non-threatening environment—an environment safe from abuse, prejudice, and violent. Students should be prepared to demonstrate the desirable qualities of self-discipline, commitment, and cooperation and to assist the school in promoting and maintaining acceptable social and moral standards of conduct.


 * Departmental Policy Regarding Late Student Work**
 * __Homework__****:** Late work will not be scored. Late work may be turned in to avoid the academic penalty for missing assignments.
 * __Academic Penalty:__** Five percentage points will be deducted from your final grade for every two missing homework assignments.
 * __Major Projects/Essays__:** Major projects and/or essays will be accepted up to a maximum of 2 days after the original due date. Twenty percent of the total points possible for that particular assignment will be deducted from the earned credit each day a major project/essay is late.


 * Required Materials:**
 * Pens and Pencils: All written assignments must be completed in either black or blue ink. Occasional scantron quizzes and tests will require #2 pencils.
 * Paper: Students must bring their own standard size college-ruled notebook paper.
 * Journal: Students will keep a journal for class assignments.
 * Outside Reading Book: Students will choose a grade level appropriate outside reading book to bring to class everyday.


 * Grading Policy:** Grading for this course will be based on a point system. Students can easily calculate their grade any time by simply dividing their points earned by the total possible points at that given time. The grading scale is as follows:

97-100%= A+ 94-96.9%= A 90-93%= A- 87-89.9%= B+ 84-86.9%= B 80-83%= B- 77-79.9%= C+ 74-76.9%= C 70-73%= C- 67-69.9%= D+ 64-66.9%=D 60-63%=D- 0-59.9%= F

Please read through the course expectations and use the contact information to address any questions or concerns.

Thank You,

Mr. Conlay

(Please cut here and return the bottom portion to me)

I have read, understood, and agree to abide by the course expectations listed above for Mrs. Conlay’s class.

Student Name: _

__Student Signature:__ _

Parent or Guardian Name:

Parent or Guardian Signature: _

Parent or Guardian Contact Information (Phone, email, or both): _

__Special Needs or Comments Concerning Your Child:__ _