English I Honors & Academic

Mrs. Sarah Peeler

East Ascension High School
Room 818

Course Title English I

Class Location Room 818
Instructor Mrs. Sarah Peeler
Email Address Sarah.lambert@apsb.org
Planning Period 2nd Block
Collection Grade 9

Requires Materials
Charged Laptop | USB flash drive | Loose leaf | A 2-3 inch binder with pockets for handouts and
dividers for organization | Writing Utensils/Highlighters
________________________________________________________________________________

Course Content & Description

Louisiana State Standards (CCSS)

English I introduces students to a diverse collection of literary genres and reviews, which helps build
upon English language skills, such as reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary development. These
skills are the foundation for any effective reader and communicator, thus providing students with
preparation for future college and career success. Guided by the Louisiana State Standards, the
course is a rigorous approach into the study of the various genres of classic and contemporary
literature, high-interest informational texts, the traits of excellent writing and the process behind it, and
the details of English grammar, usage, and mechanics. Students will engage in reading, responding,
writing, analyzing, and critical thinking for each piece of literature read in class. Students will learn what
makes an effective writer, and they will work on improving their abilities daily. All of this will be
accomplished in a rigorous and positive environment filled with high energy and expectations for
academic output and behavior.

Louisiana Student Standards

Louisiana is continuing the states tradition of periodic professional reviews of the states academic
content standards. This process will ensure that Louisiana maintains strong expectations for teaching
and learning and that standards continue to prepare students to successfully transition to
postsecondary education and the workplace. All current standards fall under five major categories,
which represent broader learning targets:

1. Reading for Literature

2. Reading for informational Text Course Requirements and Evaluation

**Due dates and topics of
3. Writing projects/activities will be announced
in class**
 4. Speaking and Listening

5. Language

Course Policies & Procedures

Academic Dishonesty Policy

As per the district student policy manual, if a student cheats on a test/assignment or plagiarizes, he/she will
receive one after school detention, no credit on the test/assignment, and an administrative conference. This
is for both the person cheating and the person who allows another student to cheat.
Plagiarism is defined as stealing a person's ideas or writing. (Copying and pasting information is plagiarism
unless you site your sources.)

Types of Grades Per Quarter

Benchmark (20%)

o Students will have several formal assessment grades throughout each quarter.

Imbedded Assessments (10%)

o Assessments within the curriculum.

Bellwork (10%)

o Everyday students will correct and diagram a sentence. Every five class periods, students will turn in their
sheet for a grade.

Compliance (10%)

o ParticipationEvery day is 20 points, so every two weeks, students will get a 100-point grade. Students lose
points by sleeping, excessive talking, being off task, cellphones, etc.

Article of the Week (10%)

o Students will have five class periods to read and annotate a text provided. Some weeks it will be fictions, and
others it will be nonfiction.

Grammar (10%)

o Students will have some grammar quizzes throughout the year.

Weekly Assessments (10%)

o Cumulative assessments from the weeks lessons.

Exit Tickets (10%)

o Daily students will be asked to submit an exit ticket at the end of class.

Other Assessments (10%)

o Assessments within class that are subject/lesson specific.

Essays and the Submission Policy

Students will complete multiple essays throughout the semester.

Students are to submit first drafts typed and printed or in writing on loose-leaf with skipped lines; however,
the second and final drafts must be typed, printed, and handed in to me at the beginning of class on their
due date or before 12:01 AM online if I ask for an online submission. We spend a generous amount of
time in class working on the writing process, so there is no excuse for an incomplete or late assignment. It is
imperative that students review their rubrics and ask any questions prior to turning in that assignment for a
grade.

Grading Scale: 93 100 A | 85 92 B | 75 84 C | 67 74 D | 0 66 F

Participation
Each student is expected to contribute positively to the learning environment in the classroom by doing the
following:

Exhibit self-control by keeping hands, feet, and unnecessary comments to themselves

Take care of bodily needs (drinks, restroom, etc.) outside of regular class time so that they can devote the
full time to class activities and not disturb others by walking in and out, (THREE bathroom passes will be
allowed per quarter unless a medical note is provided from the front office or there is a private
extenuating circumstance.)
Refrain from eating large snacks in class (Limit drinking
to water only) A student who chooses to behave in a
Arrive on time way that disturbs the positive learning
Refrain from using cell phones environment in the classroom can
Respect classmates and teacher expect a conference/write up. Persistent
Bring materials to class for each meeting behavior that disturbs the learning
Leave when the teacher dismisses you, not the bell. environment will result in more
The rest of the syllabus will break this down more significant consequences (office referral
specifically. or removal from class).

Attendance Requirements
(See the student handbook for more details on the attendance policy)

o Students will be allowed to make-up work missed due to an excused absence. The teacher will set
reasonable deadline (within 3 school days upon returning) for the student to turn in any missed work.
o In the instance of an excused absence, you are to initiate the necessary arrangements the first day you
return to class. Ideally, you should contact me before or while you are absent, (or check the website) so that
you can bring your make-up work upon your return.

Late Work Policy

o Major assignments are due at the beginning of class. Any major assignment that is turned in past the
due date will result in a lower grade. This includes leaving class to go print the assignment. Extenuating
circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis. If the student does not have their assignment to turn
in on the due date, the student must fill out a late work form and turn that in in place of their assignment.

Online Communication Guidelines

o The word "netiquette" is short for "Internet etiquette." You should be aware of the common rules of netiquette
for the Web and employ a communication style that follows these guidelines. Online discussions and journal
topics should be treated as serious classroom discussion. Be mindful that all correspondence using St.
James Parish Public School Systems equipment and software is monitored at all times. By signing, you
have agreed to follow the St. James Parish Public School Systems Acceptable Use Policy and Electronic
Communications Policy.

Responding to a Fire Drill

o When the alarm sounds for a fire drill, you will quietly get out of your seat with NOTHING in your hands and
WALK out of the room. From there, we will exit the building and line up in the parking lot. You will remain
quiet and IN A LINE during this time as I check roll. We will remain together until the all clear.

Extra Credit
o Extra credit is not offered in Mrs. Peelers class.
o If you do the work that you are supposed to do, you will not need extra credit.

Entering the Classroom

o Once a student walks through the door, class has begun for that student. Therefore, students will begin
work immediately upon entry to class.
o Each student will enter class quickly and quietly, go to his/her desk and begin the bell work. You are
expected to be in class before the tardy bell.
o If the door is closed, then the students are to quietly line up along Mrs. Peelers wall. Mrs. Peeler will let the
students in.
o During this time, dress code will be checked, and any owed late work should be turned into Mrs. Peeler.
o If you were absent the day before, you should look for the work you missed in the missed work drawer in
your groups tower.

Entering Class Tardy:

o You should silently report to your seat. I will approach you to catch you up when the time is right. In the
meantime, you will work on whatever the class is working on at the time.
o You must have your Admit Slip visible for me to see. These will always be checked.
Walk-In-Work
o Walk in Work will (almost) ALWAYS be MUG Sentences. Students will receive a sheet with five sentences
on Monday/Tuesday, and students must keep track of the sheet for FIVE class days (two weeks) because
we will do one sentence a day.
o After the tardy bell, students will have eight minutes to complete AND go over the sentence for the day. With
that being said, at the 4-5-minute mark I will walk around taking roll and checking that the students have their
sentence 100% complete.
o Students may quickly sharpen pencils at this time if necessary.
o There should be limited talking during this time.

Make-Up Work:
o You are responsible for collecting, completing, and turning in the work as soon as possible.
o Any class handouts will be in the missed work drawer in your groups tower.
o You must come see me for graded make-up work (as it will not be in the drawer).
o In the case of an excused absence, you have the same number of days you missed to make up your graded
activities.
o When a test is given if you miss only the day a test is given, you will have had the notes, explanation, and
review. Be ready for the test THE DAY YOU RETURN. In other cases, make-up test will be scheduled on
an individual basis, giving the student time to get notes and missed work completed.
o My suggestion to you is to get a phone number from a classmate before you leave, so that someone may
collect work for you or may let you borrow their work.
o No matter what I will give each group 4-5 papers. The assigned group leader will be responsible for writing
the absent students name on the extra paper and placing it in the make-up work drawer.

Sharpening Pencils:
o Students may sharpen pencils during the Walk-In-Work time.
o PENCILS MAY NOT BE SHARPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF A LESSON. Use a pencil from your tower caddy
in the meantime. If you are using one of my pencils/pens, and they break/quit working, simply put it in the
small blue trash can in the back of the room to be sharpened or checked by me.
o Please DO NOT ask to sharpen pencils while I am teaching or a group is presenting.

Needing a Tissue:
o If you ever need a tissue, simply go get one. You do not need permission to leave your seat in this case. If
laptops are out, please be VERY CAREFUL when walking around the chargers.
o One your way to get a tissue, please keep your hands/comments to yourself.
Restrooms/Lockers:
o Restrooms and lockers should be used before school, right after lunch (with teacher permission), and in
between classes.
o So that instructional time is not disrupted, students will be allowed TEN bathroom passes per semester for
ALL CLASSES. This means once youve used the restroom ten times within any classes, you will no longer
be allowed to go.
o Once you receive permission, go sign your name and time out on the log in the back of the room.

Work Areas:
o You are responsible for keeping all of your work areas clean, including your groups tower and caddy.
o You are responsible for reporting any writing or graffiti in your work area as soon as you come into class.
o School bags are to be placed on the back of your chair or neatly under or beside your desk, not in the aisle.
o Upon leaving the class, you are to check the floor for any mess, which shall be picked up and thrown away
before you will be dismissed.
o Take all of your things when you leave. Any left items will be put into the Lost and Found.

Group Towers & Caddy:

o There is a tower and caddy that 4-5 students in each class will share. This means TWENTY-FOUR students
will be using the same tower and caddy between A and B days.
o There is a drawer for the cellphone lottery (this will be explained later), missed work, 1st Block, 2nd Block, and
3rd Block.
o The block drawers are for the students to keep their stuff for my class. If a student chooses to leave their
stuff for my class in the drawer, it must be in a folder or binder. ANY LOOSE PAPERS LEFT IN THE
DRAWERS WILL BE THROWN AWAY.
o The caddy has extra supplies for students. I do not require students to bring markers, scissors, glue, etc.
because I have more than enough for them to use. Feel free to bring your own materials. We will go over the
specifics of the tower and caddy in class.
Turning in Work-Student:
o All test/quiz papers will be turned into your class drawer upon completion.
o Make sure your name and date are on your paper.
o You will not be allowed to touch your paper after you turn it in, so check your work carefully!!!!!!
o When you finish your test, look on the Early Finisher board. Your next assignment will be found there (if
applicable).
o If you have make-up work to turn in, put it in the drawer. Even if it mixes with that days stuff, I will find it.

Class Work
o You are expected to work quietly when working individually.
o All work must be neat and legible.
o Avoid the fuzzies when using loose-leaf if it is being turned in to me.
o Always use a heading with Name, Date, and Block.

Early Finishers:
o NEVER should you be bored or idle.
o When you finish your work early, look on the early finisher board. Your next assignment will be found there (if
applicable).
o If you finish that assignment, grab a brain teaser worksheet from the tray by the calendar.
o You will remain silent during this time so that all other students can concentrate on what they are doing.

Attention
o I will count down from five to zero when your attention is needed. At zero, the class should be quiet, still,
and attentive.
o Other methods will be discussed in class.
Cooperative Groups:
o Students will be working in assigned cooperative groups several times each week.
o The point of these groups is to work together to solve problems, work as peer helpers, complete activities,
and develop teamwork skills that will be needed throughout the rest of your school career and into the work
place.
o Groups will change at the mark of the term or at the discretion of the teacher.
o You are expected to discuss the lesson and use peer tutoring/teaching techniques when working in groups.
o You are expected to remain with your group at all times. Visiting and/or talking with other groups will not be
permitted.
o There will be NO changing around of group members unless directed by the teacher!
o You are seated with your group already, so the only movement needed may be to move your desks closer
for discussion purposes.

Shoulder Buddies:
o Your shoulder buddy is the person sitting next to you in your group.
o You will be talking to and working with this person daily, so if you have any MAJOR issues with your partner,
simply write your concerns on a piece of paper and turn it in the drawers in the back of the room.
o When I ask you to talk to your shoulder buddy about something, I expect you BOTH to contribute through
questions, comments, and concerns while remaining on topic.
Computers:
o Laptops are only to be used in my classroom for my assignments when I have instructed you to use them.
o AT NO TIME shall a student take it upon him/herself to open up his/her laptop and work or play on it.
o During my assignments, the only Webpages/documents that may be open are the ones pertinent to my
assignment. Your brightness must be all the way up at all times.
o Laptops must be brought EVERY DAY. They will likely be used EVERY DAY!!
o AT NO TIME shall a student listen to music unless permission has been grantedusually during
independent work.

Cell Phones:
o Cell phones should not be used at any time in my class unless granted permission by me.
o Cell phones should be put in the cell phone lottery drawer or in the charging station.
o On random days, I will pull a number. If your desk number is pulled, and your cell phone is either in the
drawer or the charging station, you will win 2 bonus points towards any assignment approved by Mrs. Peeler.

Dismissal:
o The bell does not dismiss you; I do.
o Pack up will begin at one minute before the bell rings when I tell you to begin; students will not begin packing
prior to my request.

No Name:
o If you fail to put your name on a graded assignment, I will clip it to the No Name ribbon. You have FIVE
DAYS to retrieve your paper and return it to me with your name on it. After one week, you will receive a
ZERO.
o I will put a stamp on the paper each day it is not claimed. Once I see five stamps, the paper is discarded

** The above schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of
extenuating circumstances. All students and parents will be notified of changes. **

English I
Mrs. Sarah Lambert Peeler- Course Contract

Please check the class website for more information and a copy of this syllabus:
http://mrspeelersclass.weebly.com

Student Name (please print): ___________________________ Class Period _____

Parents should initial the items they have read and reviewed for this course.

_______I have read, reviewed and understand the Course Syllabus for Mrs. Peelers
class as well as Mrs. Peelers specific grade computing system.

Parent Signature _____________________________Date_______________

Student Signature ____________________________ Date ______________

This form and the contact information needs to be signed and returned no later than
Monday, August 14, 2017. Please print out a copy of our course information for you to
refer to throughout the school year.

Parent/Guardian Contact Information

Student Name _______________________________ Class Period ______

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Name ______________________________________

Home Phone Number ___________________________________________

Cell Phone Number ____________________________________________

BEST Contact Number__________________________________________

Best Time to Contact ____________________________________________

Email Address________________________________________________

Mailing Address ____________________________________

____________________________________

____________________________________