Guidelines for Success
Phone: (512) 570 – 2000 email: sherri.sneed@leanderisd.org
Welcome to English I. I am looking forward to teaching you this year. Please place this handout in your Raider Binder so that you will have it to refer to if you have any questions about how to achieve success in English. If you have any questions or concerns, please come and talk to me!

COURSE FOCUS
The focus of English I will be on improving writing, reading, speaking, listening and researching skills to develop you as an independent, critical thinker.
English I readings will be assigned from the following options:
• Heroes, Gods and Monsters • I Am the Cheese
• Raisin in the Sun • Short Stories
• West Side Story • Poetry
• The Odyssey • Other assigned and self-selected reading
• Romeo and Juliet
• Make Lemonade
Writing skills will be demonstrated in essays, writer’s notebooks, poetry, research papers and other writing assignments. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to do creative projects. This will be another way for you to exhibit what you learn. You will receive a list of project possibilities in a separate handout.

CLASS MATERIALS
You will need the following supplies for English I:
• 1 set of dividers (need at least 6) to be used in the English section of the Raider binder.
• 1 composition book (9 ¾ x 7 ½ inches – NO SPIRALS)
• Notebook paper (wide ruled)
• Blue, black or other dark colored ink pens ONLY
• 1 box of markers OR 1 package of glue sticks OR one box of Kleenex
(these supplies will be left in the classroom to be used throughout the year)

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
My primary goal is to ensure that each individual has the opportunity to learn. In order that each student’s right to learn is respected, the students of each class period will follow these expectations:
1. Be in your assigned seat ready to work when the class period begins.
2. Bring paper, pen, notebook and all needed materials every day.
3. Keep hands, feet, books and objects to yourself.
4. No swearing, rude gestures, cruel teasing or put-downs.
5. Follow ALL directions.
Although I do not anticipate any problems, infractions will have one or more of the following consequences:
1. Teacher conference with individual student (minor incidents)
2. Teacher assigned detention
3. Teacher/Parent conference (telephone or email correspondence or arranged meeting)
4. Teacher/Parent/Student conference (appropriate measures will be agreed upon)
5. Immediate office referral
*NOTE: In cases of an extreme offense, the teacher may choose to advance directly to Step 4 or 5.
As you enter the classroom you will (1.) turn in any assignments due into the appropriate in box and (2.) be seated and begin work on the starter activity which will be on the board. Please remain seated during lessons unless you have received permission to do otherwise.

GRADES
No grade is ever “given,” but rather a grade is earned. Keep up with the grades you receive. If you have a question about your grade or grades, I will discuss it either before school, after school or after your class period. If you feel it necessary, you may schedule an appointment for either before or after school. Progress reports are sent out at the end of the third week of the six weeks. Report cards are sent home at the end of the six weeks. And remember, you can always check your grades online!
EACH MAJOR GRADE counts as 15 – 25% of your six weeks average. Examples of major grades are as follows: tests, projects, presentations, and essays.
NOTEBOOK (English section of Raider Binder) counts as 10 – 15% of your six weeks average. This is an organizational grade in which you must keep assignments, tests, quizzes, handouts, etc. in your Raider Binder. Papers must be kept in order according to a table of contents that will be filled out as papers are returned. Specific papers will be kept in your binder throughout the year to assist you in studying for semester exams.
Each DAILY GRADE counts once to make up the remaining percentage of your overall grade. Examples of daily grades include informal essays, informal presentations, daily activities, homework, scheduled quizzes, pop quizzes, and grammar and vocabulary assignments.
Example: Test (major grade 1) = 20% of six weeks average
Project (major grade 2) = 20% of six weeks average
Notebook (major grade 3) = 10% of six weeks average
ALL daily grades combined = 50% of six weeks average
100%
NOTE: Percentages will fluctuate between grading periods as the number of assignments in each category may vary.
* You are required to keep all papers for the six weeks in your Raider Binder until report cards are delivered. This will allow you to verify your grade should a question arise. Grade disputes will not be considered unless a copy of the assignment in question is available for review.

LATE WORK
You should endeavor to turn assignments in on time. Each SEMESTER you will receive three “Pinch Passes” which allow you to turn in one late DAILY assignment (per pass) for FULL CREDIT. Two passes must be used for turning in projects or major writing assignments. This pass entitles you to a one-class period day extension, NOT a free grade. In other words, YOU MUST STILL COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT! The Pinch Pass must be stapled to the late assignment in order to receive credit. After both Pinch Passes have been used all other missing assignments MUST BE COMPLETED DURING TUTORIALS IN FRONT OF AN ENGLISH I TEACHER in a timely manner. You will receive up to a 70 for the completed late assignment.

WRITER’S NOTEBOOKS (composition books)
You will keep a writer’s notebook in the classroom throughout the year. Entries will include starters, responses to literature, responses to writing prompts, free writes, recreations, poetry and grammar practice. This is intended to be a safe place for you to express yourself and your creativity.
All responses for your writer’s notebook will be kept in a composition notebook, not a spiral since we will keep them stacked on a shelf in the classroom. Writer’s Notebooks will be kept in the classroom at all times. IT SHOULD NEVER LEAVE! At the end of the six weeks, they will be graded and points will be awarded based on completion and depth of thought. If you ARE ABSENT, you MUST GET THE PROMPT FROM ME and MAKE UP THE MISSED ENTRY. An absence does not excuse you from completing the response/activity.
We will share responses each day in class. I will initially ask for volunteers to share. In the event that everyone is shy that day, I will randomly call on students. Please do not write anything in your writer’s notebook that is too personal to share because “I don’t want to share” or “I don’t have anything” is NOT an option.

MAKEUP PROCEDURES
Refer to the student handbook regarding makeup work for absences.
• You will be allowed one day to make up work for each day missed (one day absent = one day to make
up, two days absent = two days to make up). For example, if you miss an A day, you will get the
assignment on the on the next A day, and will have until the following A day to turn in that work.
• If you are absent on the day of an exam, you will take the exam the day you return unless otherwise
arranged by the teacher.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING THE ASSIGNMENTS YOU MISS!

RETESTING
You will be allowed to retest on ONE major EXAM per SEMESTER. However, you must first attend a total of 45 minutes of tutorials where I will re-teach the material and you will review the information BEFORE you will be allowed to retest. Retesting will also be done during tutorials.

Example: first tutorial = 30 minutes
second tutorial = 15 minutes
third tutorial = as long as it takes to retest
Students must retest in a timely manner. After a test has been returned to the students, I will give you a specific deadline in which all retests must be completed. The two test scores will be averaged to determine your new test grade.

TUTORING
I am available before school on "A" days from 8:00 – 8:30 and after school on "B" days from 4:00 - 4:30. This may fluctuate some throughout the year due to my coaching schedule and faculty meetings. Please sign the tutorial logbook when you come in for assistance.