Welcome to Mrs. Owens English Class!!

We are in for an exciting year, and I cant wait to get to know each and every one of you!
Below you will find my rules and expectations. This is a brief overview of what I expect of
you, as well as what you can expect of me. We will spend some time going over these in
detail and amending them as necessary as a class.

Rules/Expectations

Be respectful! In my classroom, we will respect each other, respect the teacher,

respect the classroom, and respect ourselves.
Be here and be involved! Each one of you is an important member of this classroom.
We need you here and involved in classroom activities each and every day!
Students will be responsible for participating in setting the classroom
goals and expectations and adhering to them accordingly.
We will maintain a safe and comfortable learning environment at all
times.
If conflicts arise, they will be addressed on an individual basis with teacher.
If students need assistance or have needs that are not being met, students will be
accommodated without question.
I will never ask something of you that I am unwilling to do myself.

At no point in time will it be acceptable to disrespect another person or the classroom. The
first offense will result in a conference with me. Following occurrences will result in a
conference with the counselor, principal, and/or parents. At no point in time will the
safety of students be violated. If a safety threat occurs or is presented, the school resource
officer and administration will be notified immediately. Students will be held accountable
to the expectations set by the classroom.

Cell Phone Policy

Knowing how vital cell phones are in our daily lives, I understand your desire to
have them out and close to you. In my classroom, however, unless you are
instructed to have them out or are told you can have them out for learning
purposes, you will keep them on silent in your backpack or pocket. If they are out at any
time other than when instructed they will be taken and placed in the cell phone bucket for
the rest of the class period. Be respectful of those around you and keep them stored. The
distraction to your peers interrupts your learning and those around you. Dont worry, you
will have sufficient opportunities to have them out and use them throughout the year.

Grading
Grades will be broken down in the following manner:
Participation
Homework
Tests
Quizzes
Projects
Assignments

10%
10%
15%
10%
20%
20%

Calculated in a variety of waysSee description

Includes reading and occasional homework assignments
Made up of 6 unit exams, equally weighted
Weekly grammar/vocab and occasional reading quizzes
Made up of 6 unit final projects
Includes daily, in-class, individual & group assignments

Portfolio

15%

Consists of 2, semester-long cumulative portfolios

Homework
This accounts for 10% of your grade. This includes at-home reading, accompanying
reading notes, or other tasks completed at-home. Aside from reading, takehome work will be limited. Therefore, late homework will be accepted only
with an excused absence if turned in by the class period following your
return. Work submitted after that will not be accepted without prior approval
from me. If absence is unexcused, homework turned in after due date will be
accepted but will receive a 10% grade reduction.

Tests
It is important that you are here on test dates. We will have plenty of in-class review and
preparation for exams. If you miss a test, it is your responsibility to schedule a time to
make it up, whether it be before school, after school, during lunch, or during homeroom.
Each semester, students will have the opportunity to re-take one exam of their choosing.
Should you choose to re-take a test, you must arrange a time with me to re-take it. I will
then take the higher of the two scores for your final test grade.

Quizzes
With an excused absence or tardy, I will allow you to make-up missed quizzes during
journaling time. Unexcused absences or tardies will result in missing that weeks quiz
points.

Absences/Tardies
It is important that you are here. Excessive unexcused absences and/or tardies will result
in a conference and loss of participation points, unless alternate engagement requirements
are met. Students will have an opportunity to make up some of their lost points by
completing an alternate engagement assignment in place of in-class discussion and
activities. We all want you here, so its important that youre here and engaged in class
activities. If absent, see me, a classmate, or the class website for make-up instructions. No
points will be lost with an excused absences or tardy and missed work can be made-up.
The alternative engagement assignment option is available to those students as well and
will awarded additional participation points.

Participation
Active participation is essential to success in my classroom. Every student is accountable
for participating in activities and discussions. Students who consistently participate will be
granted the full 10% of the participation grade percentage. This includes individual,
partner, and group work, as well as whole class discussions. Every opinion matters, and I
expect all voices to be heard. This classroom is a safe space where all opinions and ideas
will be respectfully appreciated.
Participation occurs in a variety of ways
and will be determined at my
discretion. Be here and be involved
thats all I ask. Students are
welcome to turn in their written
thoughts if unable to do so
verbally. As long as you demonstrate
engagement in class
materials, class discussions, your

participation and involvement will be acknowledged. One-on-one discussions during

conference time or written thoughts and questions will always be welcomed.

Looking forward to a great year!!