Welcome to Junior English! Lauren McNeil, D-10 University of California, Santa Barbara - B.A. in English with Honors, minor in Spanish - M.A.Ed. & teaching credential in English 9 th year at FHS -Maternity leave - Pleased and honored to be working with your students this year!
Curriculum Common Core/Standards-aligned Focus on American literature (so, sadly, no Shakespeare) - Aligned with U.S. History - Social, political, historical contexts - Themes characteristic of historical periods - Progress through the American literary movements (“Isms”) chronologically SAT/contextual vocabulary quizzes & SSR (Sustained, Silent Reading of self-selected, parent-approved books) on Fridays
Core & Planned Supplemental Texts Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible (1 st semester core) F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby (2 nd semester core) Tennessee Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire (possible supplemental) J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye (possible supplemental) Poems, short stories, non-fiction pieces, etc. from the Elements of Literature: Fifth Edition anthology textbook Recommended: own copies of texts for note-taking
Grading & Assessment A=90% and above, B= %, C = %, D= %, F=below 60% (no rounding up) Standards-based, weighted grading system: - Listening, Speaking, & Participation=15% - Frequent participation - Reading=40% - Writing=45% - Primary focus: response to literature essays, SAT-style essays -Writing tools, essay structure, & critical thinking -Appropriate help that develops writing skills (students are encouraged to get free help from me!) - In addition to hard copy submissions, turnitin.com final draft electronic soft copy submissions - To pass: submit all major writing assignments Q: online grades - Missing “red” assignments that are blank (not scored) in the gradebook are excused or have yet to be entered and do not affect the overall grade
Policies One day per excused absence to make up work Appointments for quiz/test make-ups upon the day of return from excused absence Major assignments (e.g. essays & projects) due by pre-announced deadline even if excused absence Technological excuses are not acceptable for late work No credit for late work (except major writing assignments 50% point deduction for each day late) No extra credit FHS policies/rules – including those regarding tardies & cuts, cell phones, academic integrity, & behavior –enforced
How You Can Help Time management (see website calendar) Excusing absences Assignment/grades review Quiz/test prep, e.g. flashcard practice Writing skills, e.g. practice essays Organization Student-teacher communication (for academic questions/concerns, student-teacher meeting prior to parent-teacher meeting; student support available by appointment) Wish list donations (greatly appreciated!)
Open Lines of Communication Phone: (925) ext Website (calendar, notes, handouts, reading recommendations, suggested course materials, classroom wish list, etc.) - accessible through FHS website Conferences by appointment - Office Hours 3 rd period Thank you for attending! I look forward to a great year with your student!