Open House 2013

1. Open House 2013

2. English Department’s Mission Statement At the end of the course, each student will be able to read, interpret, speak, and write about a variety of fiction, nonfiction, dramatic, and poetic works, while utilizing an eloquent and scholastic vocabulary.

3. English Department’s Policies LATE WORK No Late Work – A “Z” will be placed in Pinnacle for a missing assignment. MAKE UP WORK FOR TESTS/QUIZZES Tests and quizzes must be made up on a Wednesday morning or by appointment with the teacher. A student has up to one week after an absence to make up the test or quiz. Work not made up will receive a “Z.” REWRITES (PAPERS) Writing instruction is a process; therefore, students will receive feedback from the teacher prior to the deadline in the form of formative assessments and consults. Thus, all major writing assignments are final, polished pieces and will be graded as such. RETAKES Tests and quizzes aim to show student gained learning at a specific time. Thus, there will be no retakes on tests and quizzes.

4. English Department’s Policies GRADING The central components of this course are reading, analyzing, synthesizing, speaking, and writing. Grading policies match these categories. In Pinnacle, student grades are determined according to the following weighted quarterly breakdown: CATEGORIES Reading – 40% Writing – 40% Speaking and Listening – 15% Homework/Reading Checks– 5% PLAGIARISM This statement must be submitted on all major student papers. Each student must sign below this statement to indicate that he/she is aware of this policy. “Plagiarism is taking and using someone else’s thoughts, ideas, words, or work and failing to acknowledge its author(s). In following the school’s policy, students will receive a zero for any plagiarized work no matter the degree or extent.”

5. Overarching Thematic Course Questions • QUARTER ONE: Where do you come from? What do you bring to the world? • QUARTER TWO: What is thrown at you, the consumer? • QUARTER THREE: Who do you believe and why? • QUARTER FOUR: How do you contribute to society while maintaining your convictions?

6. How Can I Help My Child? • Check Pinnacle • Call me or email me: jsullivan@mayfieldschools.org; 440-995-6970 • Remind your child about my motto: “We are all striving for excellence.” I can and will meet with your child at any point during an assignment. The both of us will figure out how to meet the learning objectives and skills. • I am available for extra help 4th and 6th periods.

7. Books to Buy • Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird • William Shakespeare’s Macbeth • George Orwell’s 1984 • Jim Wooten’s We Are All the Same

8. Hints for Success • Encourage your child to read, even if he/she does not have assigned reading. Go to the library or bookstore and initiate at least an hour outside reading a day. • Read the book with your child. Ask questions and have him/her come into class with questions. • Ask to read over his/her paper. Point out any place where you are confused. • Read the paper backwards, forwards. Does each sentence make sense?

9. Help Me! Before leaving this evening and on the provided note card, please take a moment to tell me about your child. Have there been any hurdles in his/her learning? Is he/she quiet and reserved? Does he/she need that extra push? After all and as the parent, you know your child the best. Simply, is there anything that I need to know to promote his/her growth and potential?