English IIB
Spring 2012
V. Hedge
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Your child is currently enrolled in my English II class. I am looking forward to a successful semester with your child. I have high expectations for my students, and I will be doing my best to help him/her achieve those expectations. Since an open line of communication between parent and teacher is important for student success, the purpose of this letter is to help answer questions you may have.
This year new English books have been adopted by DISD. Each child will receive a SpringBoard book to use at home and in the classroom. Please help us by making sure that your child takes care of this item and uses this wonderful resource. We will be covering four units within the SpringBoard book. These units will contain fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and short story selections. Vocabulary, grammar, and writings will be required in each unit. Occasionally, film/videos are used in the classroom in order to illustrate a particular curricular-related concept, including full length films and film clips. The following films/clips will be used: the opening scene from Life is Beautiful, the opening scene from Chocolate, a scene from Cyrano de Bergerac, a scene from Whale Rider, a scene from Bend It Like Beckham, and a scene from Julius Caesar. Your signature will indicate permission for your student to view curriculum and school appropriate film/videos related to classroom content and subjects.
MATERIALS NEEDED
• Dictionary-paperback, carry daily
• Binder, 3-ring
• Notebook paper
• Pens, pencils, highlighter, red grading pen
• Dry erase marker
• Post-it notes (large and small)
• 1 small pack of index cards
• 1 manila folder
• 1 box of Kleenex
GRADING POLICY
Benchmarks 10%
Daily/Participation 20%
Quizzes/Short Answers 30%
Essays/Test/Projects 40%
ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY:
Electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, etc.): Please see the Student Handbook for the official district policy.
MAKE-UP WORK FROM ABSENCES
It is the responsibility of the student to check with the teacher, outside of class-before or after school-for assignments missed due to absences. Students have 1 day for each day absent to turn in the work missed and 3 days to make up any test or quiz missed.
LATE WORK
Work accepted one day late will be subject to a 30 point loss. Students have until the end of the current progress report period to turn in assignment for 30 points off.
After this time period, the assignment will no longer be accepted. If a student wants to complete a late assignment in the allotted time period, they must attend one of the available tutorial options.
If a student does not take the opportunity to complete a major test/project, they must write an explanation as to why they chose not to complete the assignment and get it signed by their parents and turn it in to me.
TUTORIALS
I am available for tutoring on Monday and Tuesday afternoon in the library for Extended Learning Oportunity and tutorials in my classroom on Thursday. Students must let me know that they will be attending tutorials to make sure that I will be in the classroom.
School-wide tutorials are also available: Extended Day tutoring will be every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 2:45 until 4:45 p.m.
Lighted Windows/Open Doors every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., and an English teacher will be there for student questions.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
• Be on time! Students should be in their desk when the tardy bell rings.
• Bell Work: Students are to begin work immediately on the assignment for the day. If a student is tardy, they may not have enough time to complete the assignment, and they will have to make it up during tutoring.
• Be respectful-“Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
• Come to class prepared. Always have your materials ready.
• No food, no drinks, no make-up, no electronics.
• Keep desk area neat. Throw away trash as you leave.
• Write with pens or neatly with mechanical pencils, or have your own pencil sharpener. Pencils should be sharpened before the bell rings.
• Class is in session from bell to bell, but the bell does not dismiss students- the teacher dismisses students.
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me.
My school number is 281-229-6470 and you may leave a voice message,
and my e-mail is
vhedge@dickinsonisd.org.
Students: Keep this first page in your binder, return second page to me tomorrow.
English II B Syllabus Circle your Period: 1 3 4
Spring Semester
Mrs. Hedge
Parents/Guardians and Students,
Please acknowledge reading of this English II Syllabus by signing below:
Student Name: ______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name printed:__________________________________________
Parent Email:_________________________________________________________
Phone Number: _______________________________________________________
Best times for teacher to call parent/guardian:________________________________
Parents and Guardians:
Please write anything you want me to know about your student:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you,
Mrs. Hedge
English III Syllabus
TAKS TEST Wednesday, March 7th!!!!
The 2nd semester of English III focuses on TAKS preparation, the research paper, and the novel.
Unit 4
Impact of War
In this unit students will read, analyze and review TAKS strategies in order to prepare for the upcoming TAKS test on March 1st.
Excerpts being read are “Live from Baghdad”, “Soldier’s Home”, “Adam”, “Survival in Auschwitz”, “The Bracelet”, and “Summer Games”
*Students will be required to write a weekly essay.
Unit 5
A Changing Awareness:
In this unit students will read, analyze, make inferences and draw conclusions in pieces by
by Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston. At the same time, students should notice likenesses and differences in cultures or historical periods that shape the meaning of pieces.
Unit 6
The American Dream
The Great Gatsby – novel and movie
Research Paper – NO LATE RESEARCH PAPERS – ANYTHING PLAGIARIZED WILL RECEIVE A ZERO ***************DISTRICT POLICY**************
Although the English department has worked diligently to choose stories that compliment our thematic units and meet the rigor of the course, parents may occasionally disagree with our choices. Should parents object to any of the department’s chosen selections, they must offer an alternative selection for approval in advance.
Valerie Hedge
Vhedge@dickinsonisd.org -afternoon tutorials & Mon. & Tues.-ELO-Library
Students-place this page in your binder.
Return signed second page to me tomorrow.
Parents-if you want a copy of this page, please make a note on the second page.
English III Syllabus Circle your Period: 6 7
Spring Semester
Mrs. Hedge
Parents/Guardians and Students,
Please acknowledge reading of this English III Syllabus by signing below:
Student Name: ______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name printed:__________________________________________
Parent Email:_________________________________________________________
Phone Number: _______________________________________________________
Best times for teacher to call parent/guardian:________________________________
Parents and Guardians:
Please write anything you want me to know about your student:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you,
Mrs. Hedge
