Course Work:

There is a great deal of material we need to cover in English I.  The most important things we do is read, discuss, and write about literature.  To become an excellent reader you must practice regularly.  For that reason, the expectation for this class is that you will read for a minimum of 20-30 minutes a night.  It is very important that you come to class prepared to discuss whatever we are currently reading.  Quizzes on readings will be given.  This is vital to your development as a reader and critical thinker.  It will also greatly impact your writing. Don’t let yourself down!

1.  Late Work: 

·        Late work will be reduced one letter grade per day for up to three days.  Any work more than three days overdue becomes a zero. You are still expected to complete it and turn it in. 

·        If you have an excused absence you have the number of days you were absent to turn in the work.

·        If you are in school for any part of a day you are expected to turn in work that was due that day.

2.  Notebook:

All students are required to keep a three ring notebook for this class.  You should keep all class materials in your notebook.  You should also keep a running total of your points for the class.  This will tell you what your current grade is and what work you may still need to complete.

**Note:  At the end of each grading period you may be asked to use your notebook to take a notebook quiz.  The notebook quiz will require you to answer questions based on the work in your notebook.

Absences:

If you are absent, you need to go to Student Services upon your return and get a yellow slip (regardless of whether the absence was excused or unexcused).  If you have an excused absence, it is your responsibility to check with me to see what you missed and need to make up!!  If you are absent on the day of a test or quiz, you are responsible for making it up the day you return unless you make other arrangements with me (such as taking it during Academic Prep).  NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR WORK MISSED DURING AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE. 

Classroom Structure:

Classroom structure is necessary to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to work to their full potential.  The following list describes what is expected of all students in this classroom:

1.        Be in the your seats before the start of the period.  Being tardy to class three times will result in a detention.

2.        Be prepared when you arrive for class.  Bring pen/pencil, folder, books, and notebook to class each day.

3.        Neatly place all materials back where they belong when finished with them.  Leave the room in better shape than you found it.

4.        Stay in your seat until dismissed by the instructor.  The bell does not dismiss you, I do.

5.       All food and drinks (except gum and water) are to be disposed of before entering the classroom unless otherwise permitted by the teacher.  Gum is permitted as long as it cannot be seen or heard.  No food is permitted on the second floor except by special permission/pass.

6.        Any form of academic dishonesty will be dealt with sternly.  Some examples of academic dishonesty include: submitting work as your own that includes any part taken from another source without proper citation, or receiving unauthorized aid on any coursework (such as copying homework, etc.).  It is expected that all students will complete their own work. The Academic Integrity Statement and Code of Conduct Honor Statement adopted by the school are listed below and will be strictly enforced.

·         Any information taken from an outside source such as the Internet, a book, magazine, etc., must have the source properly cited, even if you rewrite the material in your own words(paraphrase).  We will be learning this procedure early in the first semester.  Failure to follow the proper rules for citing a source will be considered plagiarism, using someone else’s thoughts or work without giving them proper credit, and will result in a failing grade for that assignment.

7.        RESPECT EVERYONE IN THE CLASSROOM!  Be considerate of anyone who is talking, whether it is the teacher or a classmate.  Remember, respect goes both ways... More specifically:

·   Be open to all points of view.      

·   Poor attitude toward the instructor and/or peers will not be tolerated.

·   No commentary about or toward anyone in class is permitted.

·   If you have a problem with something or someone in class, bring it to Mr. Meeks after class.

8.        All rules contained in the Student Handbook apply in our class.  Please take special note of the dress code.