Hello students and parents! I can't wait to get to know a new group of 12th graders this year. I had a blast teaching Language Arts for the first time last year and I look forward to another fun year. I have been impressed with the talent and insights from my Language Arts students and it's a privilege to teach! Please check back here to see what assignments were missed on any given day. Here is the disclosure document for this year:
12 Grade Language Arts
Ms. Katie Houston
Room A101
Course Overview:
This course
is designed to prepare students to read, write, and use language effectively in
their academic and career pursuits beyond high school in accordance with the
Language Arts Common Core State Standards.
Course Goals:
1.
Teach students how to read literary and informational texts critically
2.
Teach students how to write argumentatively, informational, and narratively
3.
Teach students command of the English language in speaking,
listening, and writing
Materials Needed Daily:
·
Students need a writing journal. I have small
journals students may use and return to me at the conclusion of the school
year. If a student prefers a standard 8 1/2x 11’’ size journal, he/she may
bring his/her own. This journal will remain
in the classroom and be used every class period.
·
Students
need a separate notebook for Language Arts to take notes and do
assignments. This can be either a spiral
bound notebook or a section in a binder or larger notebook specifically
designated for Language Arts.
·
Students will check out a Language Arts text (Collections) to be used throughout the
entire year. It is the students’
responsibility to make sure they have their books with them during every
class period. I will let students
keep the text in our classroom when they are not needed for homework.
·
We will read Of
Mice and Men in the fall, which does not appear in Collections. Students can check out a copy from the bookroom.
·
Students need a pen or a pencil every single
day. I expect seniors in high school to be
prepared and if they are not, to resolve the issue calmly and quietly by
borrowing from a neighbor. I will not
have extra pencils in the piano lab.
Absences and Late
Work:
·
Assignments are due on the designated day at the beginning of the class period. Late work will receive a 10% grade
reduction. Any late work turned in to me
the last week of the term will receive a maximum of half credit for the assignment.
·
If a student is absent, it is his/her
responsibility to look at the class blog www.mshoustonlanguagearts.blogspot.com
to find out what he/she missed and make up the assignment. If I do not receive it within a week of the
absence, it will a 10% grade reduction.
Again, any late work turned in the last week of the term will be given
half credit or less, depending on the quality of the assignment.
Grading:
·
Classwork/Homework: These assignments are worth between 5-20
points, depending on the length and difficulty of the assignment.
·
Daily Journal: Each journal entry is worth 10
points.
·
Projects: There will be 1-2 big projects each
term, including essays, creative writing pieces, poetry, speeches, etc. They are worth 100 points each. Students will
be given a specific rubric for each project so they know exactly how to be
successful on each one.
Plagiarism and
Cheating:
·
If a student plagiarizes or cheats by turning in
any kind of writing that is not his/her own, he/she will receive a ‘0’ for the
assignment and his/her parents will be contacted. If the offense is repeated, the administration
will be involved.
Classroom Expectations:
·
Arrive on time, be prepared, and stay in class
the entire time. We will follow Highland High School’s attendance policy. Please do not ask me to make exceptions.
·
Complete homework at home BEFORE class
begins. It will be considered late if it
is not finished at the start of class. Assignments
the student cannot do in class that day because he/she was not prepared with
his/her homework cannot be made up.
·
If electronic devices are out (unless I give
special permission), I will take them until the conclusion of class. If I have to take a student’s cell phone more
than a couple times, I will take it to the office for them to keep until a
parent can pick it up.
·
Be respectful and kind towards others. Our class should be a safe zone where
students can express their feelings during class discussions without being
ridiculed. I will not tolerate bullying of any kind.
·
Please refrain from using vulgar language
(swearing, sexual references, potty language, etc.)
·
Dress according to HHS’s dress code. I will
follow the school’s policy and send those not in code to the main office to
borrow school clothes.
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Please sign below
and return no later than Thursday, August 27th at the beginning of
class.
I have read and understand the classroom requirements,
grading policy, and classroom expectations.
I will be responsible for all my actions in class and will treat my
peers, the classroom materials, and my teacher with respect.
Student Signature: ________________________ Date: ____________
Parent Signature: _________________________ Date: ____________
