Introduction

1. Introduction Procedures, Expectations, Rules, and Other Such Prefatory Remarks English 11CP Mr. Kirkley

2. Mr. Kirkley is… • A teacher • This is my seventh year teaching high school English. • Before coming to Fort Bragg, I taught in Clovis, CA. • I teach Honors English 10, CP English 11, and AP Literature and Composition • A dad and husband • My wife also teachers here, as a resource teacher. • My kids are Abigail (9) and Elijah (6) • A writer • An athlete (or, at least I used to be) • Clearly, a very handsome man

3. Procedures • On Entering my class (the first 10 minutes) • First 10 Silence Rule is to be strictly Observed • Turn in Homework at the tray • Look to the screen for Assignments Due, Vocabulary, Warm-up, Agenda, and Homework. • Copy down Homework in Planner • Copy down Vocabulary in Personal Glossary • Begin Warm-up • DON’T mess with the mood! • Done or not, when the 10 minutes are up, I will begin class.

4. Procedures • Gain 5 points (or more) for participating in a variety of ways (volunteering to read, answer or ask a question, offer a comment in class discussion, etc.) • Lose 5 points for doing screwball stuff (speaking out of turn, messing with the mood, distracting class in some way, using the restroom in the middle of class) • During Class • Participation is 15% of your grade, which means I care about it a lot, and so should you. • This is an easy way to improve your grade. • Start out with 5 points out of 10 points each day. • Without too much effort, you could end up with extra credit in Participation ever day.

5. Procedures • During Class (continued) • Don’t use the restroom unless it’s an emergency. The restroom is not a solution to boredom, confusion, fear, or any other emotion you’re feeling. Neither is it for proper to fix make-up, hair, or clothing during class. Fortunately, the restrooms are available before school, at break, and at lunch. That should do in most cases. • On Missing Class • It happens, I get it. • Let me know BEFORE you miss, if at all possible. • Deadlines are still enforced. If you knew about the deadline and were absent during the deadline, then your work is due upon your return. • Look in Binder or on Web Site for work missed, including Agenda, handouts, etc.

6. Procedures • On Grades • I don’t give grades, you earn them yourselves. I just record them. • Late work receives a maximum of 70% credit if one day late. A maximum of 50% credit it two or more days late. • Check your grades regularly online or in Advisory.

7. Expectations • I expect you to be honest with me and with yourself • I expect you to be curious and open-minded • I expect you to respect me, other students, and yourself • You can expect me to be honest with you, whether you like it or not • You can expect me to try to help encourage your curiosity • You can expect me to respect you to the degree you treat others with respect

8. Immutable Laws of Behavior

9. Habits of the Mind • These are necessary for real learning, but they do not come naturally to most people. • We must train ourselves to develop these habits. • They are the keys to success in English class (and in other parts of life, too). • Habit #1: Silence • Study, introspection, and complex thought require silence. • We rarely have true silence because we surround ourselves with “noise” including visual noise, like texting and Facebook • It’s uncomfortable at first, but that will pass quickly. • I require 10 minutes of silence at the beginning of each class period. • You must also cultivate silence when you do your homework, especially reading and writing. • That means, no TV, music (with words), phone, internet, people who speak to you. • This will increase the speed and quality of your work dramatically.

10. Habits of the Mind • Habit #2: Patience • Patience, like Silence, is a lost art. • Many worthwhile things must be done slowly, over and over, to be done well. • Your best will not be your first, it will be only be achieved after many attempts. • Habit #3: Permission to be Wrong • Being wrong is fine. Being o.k. with being wrong is not. • Without trying and failing, nothing truly great can be achieved. • This is especially true in discussion.

11. Habits of the Mind • Habit #4: Practice • Especially when it comes to reading, you’ll never get better without consistent practice. • Like running a race, reading is a skill that requires endurance, and endurance can only be built by daily, incremental, growth.