Welcome to Junior American Literature and Composition!

1. Welcome to Junior American Literature and Composition! Mr. Murphy Portable 2 – Periods 4 and 6 Please fill out an “about your student” sheet before you leave Contact information: E-mail – murphybr@bsd405.org Telephone – (425)456-7452 http://tchrmurphy.wordpress.com/

2. A little bit about me…

3. American Literature and Composition Students will develop their skills in… Course overview: • Reading • 6 Books/Plays • Writing • Narrative, Expository, Personal, College Essay • Research • Public Speaking • Group and Individual Our American history has been marked by important cultural and sociological changes.  In this class, we will trace those changes through the voices and narratives of a variety of significant authors.  As Students explore these author's voices, they will become skilled readers of texts written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts.  In addition, they will find their  own voice and become skilled writers who can compose for a variety of purposes. 

4. Books our class will be reading: • The Great Gatsby • F. Scott Fitzgerald • The Crucible • Arthur Miller • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn • Mark Twain • The Things They Carried • Tim O'Brien • Fences • August Wilson • Death of a Salesman • Arthur Miller

5. Grading Policies Grading Scale Other Information A 90-100% B 80-89% C 70-79% D 60-69% F Below 60% • Grades are determined by: • Class work & Homework • Quizzes and Tests • Assignments and Projects • Participation: attendance, punctuality, engagement in class activities, following instructions & classroom policies, respect for others. • Grades are not weighted by category • Grades can be accessed on PIV via the BSD website

6. Student expectations: • Come to class prepared • Pen/Pencil, Paper, Completed class materials • Participate in class • Speak up in large and small group situations • Complete work on time • Late work can be turned in within a week for 60% credit • Be respectful and appropriate • Treat others the way you know they should be treated • No iPods or texting!!

7. Advocating for themselves… • Students need to be self-advocating • Responsibility is ultimately placed upon the student for solving problems, answering questions and their work in general The Process I have emphasized in class: • Student discusses issue with teacher first • Parent contacts teacher/teacher contacts parent • Student and/or parent contact counselor if needed • Lastly, student/parent/teacher contacts administrator

8. Your assignment… • Please fill out one of the “About Your Student” sheets with your name, your email or contact information, your students name, and any information you can tell me about them • This could be anything; information about how they learn; their favorite or least favorite subjects; what kinds of groups they work best in; things I should watch out for, or be sensitive of; or anything else that you think I should know • Please contact me if you have any questions or comments, or even if you just want to check in… • Email – murphybr@bsd405.org • Phone – (425) 456-7452