Welcome!

1. Welcome! Mrs. Barth AP English III English III

2. Who is Mrs. Barth? • I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Kentucky University (2005) and a Master’s Degree in Reading Education from the University of Louisville (2010). • My husband’s name is Heath, and my daughter Hope is five-months-old. You’ll probably hear lots of stories about them; my family is very important to me. • This is my 8th year of teaching at BC. • I LOVE my CARDS- Hope was born an hour before we beat Wichita State to make it to the National Championship. I also love WKU athletics (minus Bobby Petrino). • I also love music, and I grew up on a farm in southern Kentucky.

3. And MOST Importantly… • I LOVE what I do, I LOVE my students, & and I LOVE to have FUN at work!

4. Here’s How I Roll • I will treat you FAIRLY, but our definitions of fair may not be the same. Fair does not mean that you will always get your way. • I have high expectations: I never ask you to do something I haven’t done myself. I want you to have high expectations for yourselves too. • I am organized and run a tight ship: I do not believe in busy work; everything we do is for a specific purpose. If you want to know why we are doing an activity, simply ask me (in a respectful manner ) • I believe in the power of choice: every decision you make impacts your future. No one forced you to get up out of bed this morning; you chose to be here. • I do not tolerate any form of disrespect (put-downs, profanity, or general negative comments directed toward me or others). Your job is to learn; my job is to teach. I want us to achieve our goals and have fun along the way. Respect goes a long way toward achieving those goals.

5. Some Guidelines • This is a safe place to express thoughts. • You are grown. I will treat you that way until you act otherwise • You get from me what you give • Didn’t do your homework? Own it, do it, turn it in, & accept the consequence- that simple

6. Day-to-Day Stuff: Guidelines No sleeping- this class is way too entertaining for that No backpacks or purses on desk No cell phones, unless directed by me. You MUST have a sense of humor, but know your limits Be respectful of others and property If you choose not to follow the guidelines listed above, consequences will include parent contact and discipline referrals (which creates more work for me and you) • ALWAYS come prepared • Come in, grab your binder, have a seat, and begin responding to the prompt on the board • Share your journal during discussion • Listen to others • Be active in class • Give your best effort for this class, and you’ll find yourself better prepared for your future plans, whatever they may be

7. Mrs. Barth’sClassroom Procedures Enter The Room • Come in quietly • Get your Binder from the crate • Have a Seat • Review agenda and Learning Target (I post a week’s agenda at a time so you know what to expect) • Begin Bellringer (Journal) TARDY (Excused or Unexcused) • Come in quietly • Place tardy slip or teacher note in the tardy basket • Get your binder • Have a seat • Begin working on the Bellringer

8. If you happen to finish your work early… • Be willing to revise your work if it does not meet required expectations • Choose a book to read or read your independent novel. Stay focused on the task you are completing. • Work quietly so that your classmates can finish their assignments.

9. Turning in Assignments • Turn in assignments to the appropriate tray, located at the front of the room. • Do this as soon as you enter the classroom or when you finish an assignment. • It is YOUR responsibility to turn in your assignments, not a classmate’s responsibility. Do not hand assignments to me, unless I am collecting an assignment from the entire class.

10. What if I Have to Use the Restroom? • Although you will not want to leave such an exciting classroom like mine, shall you NEED to go: • You have 3 bathroom passes a SEMESTER • QUIETLY get up • Come to front table • Find your name in restroom passes for your class • Write the date, time, destination, and sign • Fill out the hall pass too • Discreetly hand both passes to me to initial, and you may leave with the hall pass • If you are gone more than 5 mins. I will assume you are in danger or lost and send reinforcements to find you. Don’t make me send reinforcements! • Once your 3 passes are up, that is it without a doctor’s note on file in the office

11. Homework and Absences • There’s this crazy thing about learning… You have to BE here to LEARN • However, sometimes things happen (myself included) • What should you do if you’re absent? • Check my teacher website: schoolrack.com/jenniferbarth. It is your responsibility to get make-up work. All necessary handouts are attached. • The Bullitt Central H.S. policy for make up work applies (the # of days absent + 1) • Stay in communication with me and this will not be a problem • I do not offer extra credit to individual students. Late assignments will be docked 20%. Assignments over 2 weeks late will be docked 50%.

12. Grading This year we have a NEW grading scale 90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D 59 below F I do not discuss grades or your behavior with you in front of other students. If you have a question about a grade, please see me at the end of class or after school. Regardless of your grade or effort you’ve given, I’ll show you respect, and I expect the same from you! Because of paper and ink costs, I will not print progress reports very often. Please check your grades on IC. Username: Student ID (# on your library card) Password: first initial, last initial, 6 digit birth date

13. What Will I Need? • AP: • How to Read Literature like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster • The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (Check Amazon, discount bookstores for cheapest prices. You may download it on Nook, Kindle, iPad, or phone too) • A large 1 ½-2 inch 3-ring binder • 6 Dividers- labeled “Journal,” ” “Argument,” “Analysis,” “Synthesis,” “AP Prep,” “ACT” • A YEAR’S supply of loose-leaf paper and pens

14. What Will I Need? • English III: • A large 1 ½-2 inch 3-ring binder • 6 Dividers- labeled “Journal, ”“Argument,” “Analysis,” “Synthesis,” “AP Prep,” “ACT” • A YEAR’S supply of loose-leaf paper and pens

15. What Will We Be Doing This Year?

16. Final Thoughts… This classroom is a safe place where we will accept and encourage each other. Please see me if you have any concerns or questions. I can’t help you if I’m unaware of a problem. I believe in your potential, and I hope you believe in your potential too!