Welcome Parents and Students

1. Welcome Parents and Students ENGLISH IV ENGLISH IV AP ROBERT HOWARD ROOM B-7

2. Contact Information • Teacher: Robert Howard • Phone: (936) 829 – 5626 • email: rhoward@dibollisd.com • High School Website: http://dibollhigh.tx.dih.schoolinsites.com/ • My Web Page: http://dibollhigh.tx.dih.schoolinsites.com/?PageName=TeacherPage&Page=1&StaffID=60526&iSection=Teachers&CorrespondingID=60526 • ALL classes will use www.turnitin.com for submitting major written assignments.

3. Class Materials • Students will need the following supplies by Wednesday, August 24, 2011: All students: • a 1 inch 3 ring binder with dividers OR a 5 subject spiral notebook (8 1/2 x 11 College Ruled w/plastic covers and dividers) for my class period only! • a supply of college ruled notebook paper • a four color (black, blue, green, and red) pen • a supply of #2 pencils • a four pack of colored hi-liters • a pack of 3 x 5 lined index cards (for SAT vocabulary) AP Students will also need: • one additional pack of 3 x 5 index cards (for AP vocabulary) • a Barron's AP English Literature and Composition Study Guide, 3rd Edition, List Price: $16.99

4. Course Description • This course continues an emphasis on advanced reading strategies and composition techniques integrated with a study of selected British and World literature. • Selections include fiction, poetry, drama, literary nonfiction, and informational texts. • Using the writing process, students work on refining their skills in composition and developing mature grammatical and stylistic features. • In addition, students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in writing for varied audiences and purposes.

5. Course Description • Students also review and refine research skills through a variety of research projects. Multiple in-class writings require students to practice their thinking, organizational, and communication skills. • Opportunities to practice listening/speaking and an emphasis on media literacy are inherent in the course. • English IV AP students will receive additional information and activities designed to facilitate their passing of the AP English Literature and Composition Test on Thursday, May 10, 2012.

6. Class Procedures There is an enormous amount of reading, writing, and speaking required for this class—students will also have frequent homework assignments.

7. Seating: Students may choose their own seats and I will make a seating chart. Students will have the opportunity to change seats each six weeks. It's important to remember that I maintain the right to change student’s seats at any time.

8. Textbooks Initially, I will maintain a classroom set of the textbook we use in my class, but students will eventually be issued a textbook that they will need to bring to class when needed. Your textbook is to be covered properly at all times.

9. Daily Agenda Beginning Tuesday, 08/23/11, you will copy the "daily objective" from the board. 1. Copy it into the first section of your notebook/spiral 2. Copy it every day as soon as the tardy bell rings. 3. If you are absent, borrow someone's notebook and copy any objectives missed. (makeup work, notebook test)

10. Complete Heading Be sure to put a complete heading on everything you turn in. Example: Robert Howard (full name) August 27, 2011 (date) English IV - 4th (class/period) Title? (assignment name)

11. Class Notes Students will take lots of notes in this class; they are not optional; they will be graded, and students will be tested over the material in their notes.

12. Incomplete/Late work In order to receive full credit, students with an excused absence must turn in work due and/or make up any assessment on the day they returnto class if they were aware of the assignment prior to their absence or within three class days of their return if the work was assigned during their absence. Students may make up incomplete or failed assignments for a maximum score of 70 for a period of one week after the assignments original due date. The student’s work must be original not simply copied from another student. Don’t have any missing assignments; turning something in is much better than not turning in anything.

13. Grading System Student grades are posted by ID number just outside my classroom on a weekly basis, so students can always monitor how they are doing in class and determine if they need to attend tutorials to make up or retake any assignments. Major tests and papers will make up 67% (75% in APWH) of your grade. (homework counts as 25% of this portion of your grade) Daily papers and quizzes will make up the remaining 33% (25% in APWH).

14. Grading System The course will use the following grade scale: A: 90 - 100 % B: 80 - 89% C: 70 - 79% F: 0 - 69% Most writing tasks will be graded using the 5 point AP Rubric scale: 5 (Exemplary) 100% 4 (Advanced) 90% 3 (Proficient) 80% 2 (Basic) 70% 1 (Below Basic) 60% 0 (Not turned in) 0%

15. Restroom Each student receives one free restroom pass each six weeks; if you do not use it during the six weeks it becomes a 100 test grade. There are occasionally opportunities to earn additional restroom passes during a six weeks. If you use your pass, you will still be permitted to go to the restroom, but you will be assigned three paragraphs for the class disruption.

16. Extra Credit There will be no extra credit work in this course except when announced in advance. The 1st Six Week’s choices and forms are posted on my web page. Extra Credit is due no later than the last week of each six weeks, and should be turned in during flex period.

17. Tutorials Tutorials are available most mornings from 7:40 – 8:00 and are available by appointment Monday through Thursday from 3:45 – 4:30.

18. Class Expectations My main class rule is RESPECT. This includes respect for me, your peers, and the classroom. No putdowns are allowed, even if you’re joking. Keep your hands to yourself. Use appropriate language, and keep the classroom clean. Be ready to learn. Stay in your assigned seat and work quietly. Pay attention and don’t use any electronic devices.

19. Class Expectations Be Responsible. Arrive to class on time. Make sure you are inside the classroom when the bell rings. The school attendance and tardy policy will be enforced, and grades can be lowered for missing too much class. If you miss class, find out the assignment. Do the Right Thing. Be honest, have integrity. Do your own work. Stay positive; ask yourself how can I do better? Do what it takes to get the job done to the best of your ability. Don’t take shortcuts.

20. Consequences The following consequences will be applied for rule violations: 1st Warning: Verbal 2nd Warning: Discipline Paragraphs 3rd Warning; Time Out/After School Detention and Parent Contact 4th Warning; Office Referral This is a demanding class; we work too hard for any distractions. If you can’t behave, transfer out! In the event of a severe disruption students may immediately be sent to the office.

21. Class Motto: “Learning is Frustrating!” Don’t get discouraged. Learning is difficult; if you don’t find yourself struggling with an idea or concept, then you probably aren’t learning very much.