SYLLABUS

English 10

Ms. Megan Turner

Otay Ranch High School
2018-2019
megan.turner@sweetwaterschools.org

Hello and welcome to English 10!

COURSE INFORMATION

English 10 is a comprehensive literacy course designed to improve your ability to read, write, and perform
other literacy-based tasks in preparation for entrance to the California State Universities. Throughout this
course, students will read a variety of texts (fiction/non-fiction; narrative, informational, dramatic) in different
mediums (digital and print) to develop ability to read and analyze critically in a variety of different settings.

Reading Materials

The year will be broken into four distinct units, accompanied by the following reading materials:

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2

July 23- September 21, 2018 January 16- March 22, 2019

Unit 1: Narrative (Short Fiction) Unit 3: Informational Text/Research Synthesis

● Students will read a variety of ​short fictions​, ​provided ● Students will read Elie Wiesel’s ​Night​, ​checked out
by the instructor​ in hard copy and/or digital form. from the school library.

Examples include Roald Dahl’s “​The Lamb to the
Slaughter”​, excerpts of Sandra Cisneros’ ​House on
Mango Street​, Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ “​A Very Old
Man with Enormous Wings”​, and Charlotte Perkins
Gilman’s ​“The Yellow Wallpaper”​.
● Students will read a variety of ​informational texts​,
provided by the instructor​, in hard copy and/or digital
form.

October 10- December 21, 2018 April 8- June 7, 2019

Unit 2: Narrative (Novel) Unit 4: Dramatic Texts (Shakespeare)

● Students will read William Golding’s ​Lord of the Flies​, ● Students will read William Shakespeare’s ​Julius
checked out from the school library​. Caesar​, ​checked out from the school library.

**If you (or your parent) have a concern about a text on the reading list, please contact me ​in writing​ (email) at least 2 weeks prior to the beginning of
our new unit. An alternate text and packet of assignments will be given for INDEPENDENT completion.

Supply List

In order to be successful in this course, you must have the following items with you ​every class period​:

- One 8.5 x 11 inch ​COLLEGE RULED​ spiral bound notebook

 I am ​very​ particular on notebook size; students who bring the incorrect size notebook will need to return it
and obtain the correct size notebook. ​Take this syllabus with you to the store and complete a PAPER
​ ithout having to be trimmed.
TEST to see if it fits in the notebook w

- Pens/Pencils (at least 2)

- Highlighter (at least 2)
- Gluestick
- Assigned reading materials for class period

Optional​ (for art projects)

- Colored ballpoint/gel pens

- Markers/Crayons/Colored Pencils
- Scissors

Classroom Expectations

Students will be expected to adhere to the following policies each class period:

1. Be prompt

Punctuality is key to your success as a highschool student. If you miss class, you miss out. Please be ​in class​,​ in your
assigned seat​, before the bell rings. If you fail to meet this guideline, you will be marked tardy. Accumulated tardies (6+) will
result in an assigned, mandatory Saturday School and/or further intervention from administration.

2. Be polite

The best way to make this class fun is to be aware of your surroundings. Always practice respect when interacting with others.
Enter the classroom calmly and quietly. Use your manners. Say “please” and “thank you.” Make friends and help each other
out. This classroom is ​your​ safe space. All opinions are tolerated and respected here. Any failure to adhere to this policy will
result in a one-on-one intervention from myself, the contact of a parent, or a referral to an administrator.

3. Be proactive

As a highschool student, remember that YOU (not your parent, or your counselor, or your teacher) are the one responsible for
your own learning. If you are struggling to understand something, reach out and let someone know. We cannot offer help if you
don’t ask for it. ​I am here to help you always.​ Tutoring schedules will be posted around the classroom as they become
available.

STANDARDS-BASED GRADING

In an effort to create a student-centered learning atmosphere, our classroom will adhere to a standards based
grading system.

What is SBG?

Traditional grading policies limit student success. More often than not, gradebooks are reflective of QUANTITY over QUALITY.
Students are given loads of assignments and graded based on whether or not they have turned in their work on time-- not whether or
not the work they are completing is done ​well​. Additionally, when it comes time to show mastery of a standard, students are given ​one
opportunity, selected by the instructor, to show what they have learned. Once the assignment’s grading window has passed, a student
must live with the grade they received despite any new learning that might have occurred. This results in inflated gradebooks, tired
students, and a classroom atmosphere that does not foster student growth.

Because not all students learn the same way or at the same pace, standards-based grading places control over learning in the hands of
the student. Students will no longer be graded on an A-F scale. Instead, students will be provided a list of standards at the beginning of
the semester that they must demonstrate mastery of by the end of the semester. As the instructor, I will design and implement multiple
opportunities to demonstrate learning in each standard of focus. The result will be a cumulative portfolio in which students will hand-pick
assignments to demonstrate mastery of a standard, to be turned in at the end of the semester.

The ability to select assignments in which the student feels the most pride (with ample opportunity to revise as needed) will result in a
more effective gradebook, a more engaging classroom atmosphere, and a greater sense of responsibility for one’s own learning.

Gradebook Breakdown

Our gradebook will be broken into four distinct categories (in alignment with CCSS):

WRITING - 40% READING LITERATURE - 20%

Example assignments: Example assignments:

● Written exit tickets (short answer responses) ● Annotations
● Graphic organizers ● Graphic organizers
● Powerpoint slides ● Written exit tickets (short answer responses)
● Essays ● Inquiries
● Art projects ● Art projects

READING INFORMATIONAL TEXTS - 20% SPEAKING AND LISTENING - 20%

Example assignments: Example assignments:

● Annotations ● Presentation of work to peers/classmates
● Graphic organizers ● Socratic Seminars
● Written exit tickets (short answer responses) ● Recording of dramatic performances
● Inquiries

Citizenship Grades

Citizenship grades will be calculated a points system, and based purely on student participation. Items that will
have impact on your citizenship grade:

● Completion of assignments in Literacy Notebook

● Preparedness for class (bringing class materials every class period)
● Participation in class discussion
● Behavior in class
● Attendance/tardies

Grading Scale

With the induction of Standards-Based Grading policies, student grades will be shifted to encourage higher
levels of student participation, and, ultimately, higher levels of student success.
 What used to be... Will now be...

A+ (100 %) E (Exceeds the Standard)

A- (90 %) M (Meets the Standard)

D+ (69%) R (Needs Revision)

F (50%) N (Not Enough Data to Assess)

Standards-based grading eliminates the need for “in-between” grades, like Bs and Cs. Students who
demonstrate mastery for each of our focus standards will receive an A. Students who do not revise their work
to demonstrate mastery for each standard will receive a D+. Students who were absent or did not turn in an
assignment to demonstrate mastery will receive an N (translated to 0% in the gradebook) until the assignment
is made up.

Final Grades and Final Portfolio

At the end of the semester, students will hand-pick a series of assignments to turn in as part of their final
portfolio. The goal is to have revised each of these assignments as necessary throughout the semester to
demonstrate mastery of the standards in English 9. This portfolio will serve as the student’s final for the
semester.

Final grades will be assigned on an A-F scale, based on an average of the standards-based letter
grades (E, M, R, N) received throughout the semester. ​In essence, it is 100% possible for ANY student to
receive an A in the class as long as they are completing revisions for their assignments along the way!

EXTRA NOTES

The state of California mandates that ​all​ high school students take a minimum of ​four years​ of English to
graduate high school. Even though graduation seems like miles away, ​consider this class your first ticket to
graduation​. Unfortunately, space in Summer School is limited and it is not guaranteed you will be able to
make up English 9 before your senior year if you fail. ​Just​ ​remember: Pass English 9, Graduate on Time!

Attendance/Tardy Policy

Excessive absences and/or tardies does not just impact you; it impacts the entire class. Upon your arrival back
in class, you will have ONE class period to collect any missing work before it becomes a permanent N in the
gradebook.

All make-up work must be collected/made-up ​outside of class time​ (before school, nutrition break, lunch,
after school, and select Extended Learning Periods) as to not interfere with student learning time.

In addition, students must EMAIL me prior to their absence if they wish to collect any make-up work upon their
return.

**Students who are continually absent/tardy will forfeit assignment revision privileges.**

Revision Policy
To reduce online plagiarism, revision time will be embedded into class time. REVISIONS COMPLETED AT
HOME WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED (unless agreed upon **in advance** with me.)

Students who wish to complete a revision on an assignment must complete a Revision Log. All revisions will
be graded at my own pace, as to not interfere with the grading that comes with daily learning. ​That being said,
it is ALWAYS better to aim for an M on the first attempt.​ If you have any questions on this revision policy,
please do not hesitate to ask.

Where to Find Homework/Assignments

All daily agendas and homework assignments will be published on our class white board and online at:
www.ms-turner.weebly.com​.

Technology Policy

Cell phones are not to be in use during class time, unless further specified by myself (or a visiting educator.)
Sometimes, cell phones will be integrated into our lesson plans. In the case that you do not have a cell
phone/data to use, ​you will not be penalized, ​but you may be partnered with another student to earn credit.

Cell phones may only be checked during transition periods. If a student’s technology use interferes with their
ability to participate in classroom assignments, it will be confiscated until the end of the period or end of school
day (depending on number of offenses).

1 Technology Warning Student keeps phone/technology item and puts it away

2 Technology Warnings Student gives phone to teacher and collects it back from teacher
at end of class period

Parent phone call

3 Technology Warnings Student gives phone to teacher, to be picked up from front office
by parent after school hours

Student behavior reflection form

4th Technology Warning Automatic referral to front office

Contact Information

I can be reached by email ​at any time​ at ​megan.turner@sweetwaterschools.org​.

I maintain a 24-hour response policy during the school week. If you have any questions, or would like to
schedule a meeting with me outside of class time, sending an email is the most efficient form of contact. I am
happy to set-up phone meetings through email as well.

I am looking forward to getting to know you over the duration of our time together :)
 PARENT CONTACT FORM

Please read the syllabus with a parent/guardian, then fill out this form and turn it in to me.
Please write neatly. :)

Student name: ___________________________________________ ID#: __________________________

Class period: _________

Student/Parent signature section

I have read Ms. Turner’s 2018-2019 syllabus with a parent/legal guardian. I agree
to all of the policies presented in this syllabus.

X___________________________________________________________________________________
STUDENT SIGNATURE

X___________________________________________________________________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE

Parent contact information​ (confidential and to be destroyed at end of school year)

Parent Name: _______________________________________________________________

Parent Phone Number: ________________________________________________________

Parent Email: _______________________________________________________________

Preferred contact method (circle one): PHONE -or- EMAIL

Language of preference: ______________________________________________________

Student Behavioral Interventions Record​ ​(for teacher use only)

Date Behavior Intervention Notes/Outcome

Verbal warning in
class

Student Behavior
Reflection Form

1-on-1 discussion
with student
outside of class
time; loss of break
time

Parent contact
made

Referral to
Counselor/Assista
nt Principal

Referral for further

Administrative
Action