Phone: (123) 456-789 ext.

123

E-mail: aacrooks@dvusd.org

Welcome to Miss Crooks

Sophomore English Class!
I am thrilled to have all of you as students in
my class during your sophomore year at
Boulder Creek High School. Language Arts
3-4 Honors is an introduction to World
Literature. I hope you will find our
progression through the literatures of
different countries like a world-wide
vacation, giving you a taste for the culture
and experiences of people all across the
globe! I hope you will find that our itinerary
leads to an expansion of your reading,
writing, listening, speaking skills, as well as
your knowledge of the world! Language Arts 3-4 Honors is aligned with
district and state standards and supports the school-wide effort to increase
student achievement.
Bell Schedule
2015-2016 daily schedule (regular school hours are from 7:40a.m. to
2:10p.m.):
Period 1
Period 2
Period 3
Period 4
4th Lunch
Period 5
5th Lunch
Period 6
Period 7

7:40a.m. - 8:35a.m.
8:40a.m. - 9:40a.m.
9:45a.m. - 10:40a.m.
10:45a.m. - 11:40a.m.
10:40a.m. - 11:10p.m.
11:15a.m. - 12:10p.m.
11:40a.m. 12:10
12:15p.m. - 1:10p.m.
1:15p.m. - 2:10p.m.

My Personal Vision
To garner and direct students creative energies and personal interests in
text, both classic and abstract formats, in order to develop literacy skills that
will give them an analytical lens through which to view the world. To build a
collaborative and student-centered classroom, with real-world expectations
and consequences, in order to facilitate the advancement of skills that are
valuable to students futures. To give meaningful praise and guidance in
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students personal endeavors to connect reading, writing, listening,

speaking, and all forms of literacy, to what they are passionate about.

Course Description
This year holds a striking exploration of classical and contemporary literature
written by people from all across the globe. Our literature world tour will
expose you to the writings of European, American, Latin American, Asian,
Russian and African authors, as well as the history and philosophies that
influenced these authors lives. In addition, we will be watching a number of
short films/videos, conducting class discussions, and researching fascinating
topics!
Course Novels
For some of the novels we will read, you will be expected to obtain your own
copy; however, you will be given at least two weeks prior notice. Our school
library has a limited amount of copies and the local library should have
copies available as well. Novels may include (but are not limited to the
following):
Night by Ellie Wiesel
Anthem by Ayn Rand
Animal Farm by George Orwell
1984 by George Orwell
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Brave New World by Alduous Huxley
We by Yevgeny Zamyatin
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Antigone by Sophocles
Course Goals
You will analyze both classical and contemporary texts.
You will read actively.
You will think analytically and creatively.
You will express understanding through a variety of writing
experiences.
You will use vocabulary and grammar skills to enhance oral and written
communication.

AZ Standards for Tenth Grade Language Arts

Throughout the semester, we will be using the following Arizona College and
Career Ready Standards (AZCCRS) for Tenth Grade. For a detailed description
of all standards, please visit:
http://www.azed.gov/azccrs/files/2013/10/azccrs-9-12-ela-standardsfinal10_28_13.pdf
Reading Standards
Literature
Informational Texts
Cite textual evidence
Analyze the way an author orders
ideas/analysis
Determine theme/central idea
Analyze how an authors claims are
refined
Analyze complex characters
Determine an authors purpose
Determine figurative and connotative Analyze different accounts of the
word meanings
same subject
Understand the effect of an authors
Evaluate an authors argument
choice of structure
Analyze point of view/cultural
Analyze US texts of historical and
experiences (outside the US!)
literary significance
Writing Standards/Applications
Argumentative
Informative/Explanat
Narrative
ory
Make claims
Introduce a topic
Engage and orient the
reader
Develop claims with
Develop topic with
Use narrative
evidence
concrete details,
techniques (e.g.
definitions, quotes, etc.
dialogue, pacing,
description, etc.)
Create a cohesive
Use transitions to create Use a variety of
argument
cohesiveness
sequencing techniques
to build coherency
Establish formal style & Use precise language
Use precise
objective tone
and specific vocabulary
words/phrasing, sensory
language
Provide concluding
Establish formal style
Provide a reflective &
statement
and objective tone
satisfying conclusion
Provide concluding
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statement
Speaking & Listening Standards
Initiate and participate in collaborative
discussions
Present information using multiple types of
media/formats (visually, quantitatively,
orally)
Evaluate a speakers point of view
Present information, findings, and
supporting evidence clearly and logically

Writing
Process
Prewriting
Drafting

Writing
Elements
Ideas &
Content
Organization

Revising

Voice

Editing

Sentence
Fluency
Conventions

Publishing

Grading
Semester Grades are determined by the following scale:
Course Work
80%
Final Exam 20%
A- 100%-90%, B-89%-80%, C-79%-70%, D-69%-60%, F-anything below 60%
Please Note: Plagiarism or cheating of any kind will result in a score of 0%
Homework/Folder Policy
You will need two folders for my class, each labeled with your name
and one pocket labeled complete for finished work and one pocket
labeled incomplete for unfinished work.
One folder will be with you at all times, while the other will be with me.
Folders will rotate on Mondays, when you hand in your finished work
from the previous week.
On Fridays, you will receive a cover sheet with all the assignments due
in your folder the following Monday.
I also keep a running tally of assignments on the board, so you will
always know what is due.
Folders may be turned in late for full credit if a student was absent
(one day per absence).
Grades are visible to students and parents through their access to the grade
portal, using an ID and password. If your parents cannot access the portal or
have not received an ID, please contact the schools front office.
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I will also be sending home a printed grade report on a biweekly basis, or

every two weeks. If you or your parents would like to receive a printed grade
more frequently, please contact me and I can make it happen.
Homework Assistance
If you are unsatisfied with your grade in the class, or you just feel like you
need some extra help, I will be offering homework assistance. I am available
the hour before school starts, an hour after school ends, as well as during
lunch. However, an appointment for homework assistance must be arranged
in advance (at least one day prior notice). When making an appointment,
you should state the topic you are struggling with so that I may assess
whether it is something which can be addressed in class. When attending a
homework help meeting, you should bring an outline or rough draft of the
assignment and prepare specific questions that they would like answered.
How Parents Can Support Their Students
Parents, do not hesitate to contact me or to visit me in my classroom if you
have any concerns about the success or well-being of your student. I am
available for homework assistance, and am more than willing to help your
student formulate a plan to succeed.
Communication
I am open to communication with parents and students in a number of
different ways: by letter, by school phone, by school e-mail address*, or for
short in-person conferences (this will be reserved for special circumstances).
I will be reachable by phone or for in-person conferences the hour before
school starts and for an hour after school ends. Due to in-person conferences
only being held under special circumstances, these will be reserved by prior
appointment. Any e-mails or calls made after 5p.m. Mon.-Thurs. may not be
returned until the following day. E-mails or calls made after 5p.m. on Fridays
or before Holiday Breaks may not be returned until the following week;
however, it is my goal to return all communication within a 24 hour period
when possible.
*Please refer to the contact information on page 1 of the syllabus.

Classroom Policies

Entering the Classroom: As you greet me at the door, you will

remove earbuds/headphones and hats, turn all electronics off or to
silent mode before stowing them in your backpack/book bag, quietly sit
down in your assigned seat, and begin copying down the daily
learning objective.
Bell Work: When you finish copying down your daily learning
objective, you will be given 1-2 minutes to complete a bell work
question (be prepared to share your answer to the bell work with the
class). We will go over the answer as a class and when we are finished,
your bell work will be collected for participation points.
Classwork/Homework: Most assignments are designed to be finished
during the class period. For extensive or ongoing assignments, time
will be allotted in following class periods for you to finish. However, you
are encouraged to stay on track with our course schedule. The majority
of the homework given to students will consist of reading
assignments and/or makeup work if you were absent.
Late/ Makeup Work: It is your responsibility to acquire the work you
missed while you were absent. Makeup work is typically located at the
front of the room in the corresponding pockets on the bulletin board
labelled Monday-Friday. If you are absent more than 1 week, you will
need to talk to me to receive the prior weeks work; alternatively, if
you know you will be going on vacation, please talk to me about
receiving your work in advance so you do not get behind. For each day
of absence, you will have one school day to make up your work.
However, this can be turned in with your folder at the beginning of the
following week. If you miss a test, you will need to contact me so we
can set up a time before/after school to make it up. Late work will be
taken for half credit up to 2 weeks after the due date.
Long-term Projects: Projects or other assignments given up to two
weeks in advance of the due date are considered long-term. No late
work is accepted for long-term projects or assignments under any
conditions.
Dismissal: In the last few minutes of class, I expect you to conduct
yourself in a quiet and respectful manner. When we have finished with
the days lesson, I will give the signal for you to copy down the
homework/reading assignment for that night. As you do so, I will walk
around to check that you have it copied down, and will then give you
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the signal to begin packing up your backpack/book bag. You are not to
pack up or get out of your seat until I say so (even if the bell rings). I
will dismiss you, not the bell.
Bathroom: Due to our limited time together, only one male student
and one female student may use the restroom during the class period.
If you ask to use the restroom while I am instructing, permission will
only be given once I have finished. Permission, however, will not be
given in the first five or last five minutes of class. If you abuse this
policy, your privileges may be revoked until further notice. In
emergencies, an exception may be made at the teachers discretion.
For medical issues, please see me before or after class and we can
make arrangements.
Classroom Rules
1. During class discussions/Socratic seminars, students will express their
opinion using school-appropriate language and in a manner which is
respectful of the opinions of others.
2. During peer editing or revision, students will express warm feedback
before expressing cool feedback.
Warm feedback: commenting specifically on something a peer did
exceptionally well in a positive manner
Cool feedback: commenting on something a peer may improve on in a
constructive and positive manner
3. Students will respect the personal space and boundaries of other
students.
Respecting the personal space of others means keeping your hands,
feet, bodies, and objects to yourself.
4. Students will check out laptops from the teacher before use during classtime, and will treat the laptops with appropriate care.
5. Students will stay in their assigned seats unless otherwise instructed by
the teacher.
* In addition to these rules, which are in accordance to district policy,
students will be expected to follow all other rules of the district and those
stated in the student handbook.
Consequences
My consequences for breaking the aforementioned rules will follow due
process; therefore, the severity of the consequence will be aligned to the
violation, and will increase as the violation is repeated. However, as the
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teacher and enforcer of these consequences, I reserve the right to skip steps
based upon the severity of the violation.
First Offense Warning/Conference
Second Offense Call Home
Third Offense Detention
Fourth Offense Administrative Referral
*** Please keep in mind that any violation of a documented school rule will
result in the according consequence as mandated by the student handbook.
***Please also keep in mind that I am required by law by the state of Arizona
to report signs of abuse, neglect, or any threats which imply that you may
hurt yourself or others.

Classroom Behavior Expectations and Consequences- PBIS

Learning Environment

Prepared

Bring materials
Come prepared to learn

Respectful

Respect others, their property, equipment, and the facility

Integrity

Complete your own work

All electronic devices are off and out of sight

Discipline

Arrive on time & be in your seat

Behave appropriately and use courteous language
Keep food and drink outside
Encourage confidence
Cooperate and collaborate

Everyone
United

____________________________________________________
Students Name: ___________________________________ Class Period:
_______________
I understand the policies and procedures that Miss Crooks has
outlined for her Sophomore World Literature Course, and my
parents and I have received a copy of the class syllabus and
calendar for the 2015-2016 school year.
Student Signature: __________________________________
Parents Signature: ________________________________________
(Please sign, detach, and place in your Week #1 Folder by next Monday)