Mrs.

Jacksons English Class

Syllabus
The wise man reads both books and life itself.
- Lin Yutang
Hello students and parents,
I look forward to a productive year. The goal of this English class is to help
students learn to effectively communicate ideas through reading, writing, listening, and
speaking. Additionally, we will use these strategies - especially writing - to develop
ideas and deeper meaning. If we are to communicate meaningfully with the people in
the world around us, then we must have something interesting to say.

Comfortable Classroom:

Treat yourself and everyone else with RESPECT.

Use appropriate language.
Have integrity.
Come to class prepared.
Have an open mind.

Curriculum:
Available Texts:
Readers Companion textbook
Writing and Grammar Communication in Action textbook
Literature textbook
Step Up to Writing- Maureen Auman
Novels/Other reading:
A wide selection of department novels
Independent reading (student choice)
A variety of poems and short stories
A variety of non-fiction (magazine, newspaper, Internet)
Written work:

-Summary
-Narrative
Persuasive
Fundamentals:

-Response to literature -Expository

-Journals
-Creative writing (stories/poetry)

Vocabulary in contexts of literature and state testing

Affixes (Prefixes, suffixes) and roots
Grammar (Parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation)
Note-taking and organizational skills
Listening and speaking including presentations

General policies:

Extra credit: I expect students to complete assignments on time. Extra credit is

no replacement for missing work. Occasional points can be earned through
attendance at author presentations and certain class participation opportunities.
Late passes: Each student will be given three Late Work Passes per quarter.
These passes allow assignments to be turned the following class with no penalty.
(Unused passes may be exchanged for extra credit at the end of the quarter)
Missed class: When a student misses a class, for whatever reason, he or she is
responsible for any missing material or assignments. I encourage students to see
me just before missing class or within a day of return.
Late Work: Students will receive a 20% deduction on all late assignments.
Tests/Quizzes: Students will be given tests and quizzes periodically throughout
the school year to assess their comprehension of the curriculum.

Discipline Procedures:
- Name written on board - Teacher/Student after class discussion Call home to
parent/guardian - Detention Referral Parent/Teacher Conference

IMPORTANT (SUGGESTED) Materials for Each Class:

Blue or black pen and pencil

English folder or binder section (for hand-outs and student work)
Spiral notebook for daily notes
Separate notebook (single subject) for journals
Independent Reading book- student choice
Loose leaf paper

Wish list:

Office Depot gift cards

Paper: Printer (white colored), lined, or construction
Tissues
Note cards: 3x5 or 4x6
High-interest books for classroom library or Copperfields gift cards

Please contact me with any questions or concerns regarding this syllabus or the school
year. The sooner we address them, the sooner we can take care of them. As an
educator, my job is to help guide students to learn the skills and information that will
help them achieve success in their endeavors. I appreciate your efforts as students and
your support as families.
For school-related business and questions, contact me at 707-528-5520 vm# 2100 or
ejackson@srcs.k12.ca.us. Please dial the number first, then the voicemail box number.

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Student Name
(Please Print)

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Student Signature

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Parent/Guardian Signature