Back to school night 2019-20

1. Back to school night 2019-20 Mrs. Spiewak English 2H, R, and S

2. Contact information Email: Darragh.Spiewak@woodbridge.k12.nj.us It is encouraged that sophomore students communicate directly with me if they have concerns regarding their work, tests, quizzes, or writing. Please know that I am always concerned for the academic as well as emotional growth and development of all of my students. With this being said, I also support my student’s ability to advocate for themselves regarding their needs, concerns, and progress. Please encourage your child to speak with me if they have a concern regarding their grades and/or the material, before or after class. If you should need to speak with me, feel free to email me.

3. Culture and Classroom expectations Expectations: • Above all things- students must treat each other with respect; my classroom is a “safe zone” for all students • HIB laws are taken very seriously (technology) • Class participation is an integral part of this English classroom. Students must actively participate in his/her learning. • Learning is experiential; learning is interactive and social(John Dewey). • Academic Integrity Plagiarism will not be tolerated • Students learn about plagiarism in the first few days of class. There will be a continuous discourse regarding plagiarism. • Plagiarism= stealing, dishonesty, cheating (this includes the use of a fellow student’s ideas, words, or efforts as their own) • Board Policy dictates the disciplinary response to plagiarized materials and work.

4. Brand new Curricula Here is the link to the new Sophomore curricula- https://sites.google.com/wtsdnj.com/english-2-grade-10/home I worked on the curriculum committee this past summer and we used a thematic approach for organization. Each unit will have a core writing task, informational text, short stories, multimedia sources, and one larger text, among others. Every student, no matter the track, will complete a research writing piece. This research is directly linked to the materials used for instruction. Unit 1: Fear and Conflict- Larger text: Animal Farm by George Orwell Writing task: Create a graphic novel, Research paper tasks • Short works of fiction, non fiction and multimedia resources will be introduced to go along with these units. • Honors supplemental text: A Separate Peace Unit 2: Human Rights- Larger text: Frankenstein (graphic novel) Writing task: RST and Google Slide project, Research paper tasks • Short works of fiction, non fiction and multimedia resources will be introduced to go along with these units. • Honors supplemental text: Ethan Frome Unit 3: Woman’s Rights and Equality-Larger text: I am Malala and/or Antigone Writing task: Narrative writing piece, Research paper tasks • Short works of fiction, non fiction and multimedia resources will be introduced to go along with these units • Honors supplemental text: Ethan Frome Unit 4: Ambition and Power-Larger text: The Tragedy of Julius Caesar or Macbeth • Writing task: Rhetorical analysis and Research Paper submission • Short works of fiction, non fiction and multimedia resources will be introduced to go along with these units • Honors supplemental text: Independent readings for research paper