Welcome! Heather Fleming Fordham, Ph.D., MA Ed. “Dr. F” Freshman English

All the best for a great start to high school! Three people play integral role in your child’s success:Three people play integral role in your child’s success: Student, parent, & teacherStudent, parent, & teacher What you can do:What you can do: Review assignments and assessments with your childReview assignments and assessments with your child Encourage organizationEncourage organization Support time managementSupport time management Limit extra-curriculars (eg., two after-school sports at once is perhaps too much)Limit extra-curriculars (eg., two after-school sports at once is perhaps too much)

Personal Background California nativeCalifornia native Literature specialistLiterature specialist BA, German Literature, UC BerkeleyBA, German Literature, UC Berkeley MA, Ph.D. Germanic Languages & Literatures, U PennsylvaniaMA, Ph.D. Germanic Languages & Literatures, U Pennsylvania M.A. Education, Teaching Credential (German & English), U PhoenixM.A. Education, Teaching Credential (German & English), U Phoenix Published writer and translatorPublished writer and translator Yoga teacherYoga teacher 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification 2011 (Downtown Yoga, Pleasanton) Teaching since 1989, at FHS since 2005Teaching since 1989, at FHS since 2005

Accountability is Key Organization & Study SkillsOrganization & Study Skills ▫Occasional binder checks Make-up/Late work policyMake-up/Late work policy ▫Sports? Field trips? The student is still responsible for the work. ▫Sick? The student has as much time as the length of the absence (including weekend days) to make up work. Fostering independence, interdependence, and self-relianceFostering independence, interdependence, and self-reliance “My printer broke!” “The internet was down!” “What if…?” “But I…”“My printer broke!” “The internet was down!” “What if…?” “But I…” ▫Use alternatives! (FHS Library, Ptown library, friends, neighbors…) ▫Be a problem-solver! Excuses are for eighth graders – we are getting ready for real life here!

Core Texts Of Mice & MenOf Mice & Men ▫John Steinbeck Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek MythsHeroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths ▫Bernard Evslin The OdysseyThe Odyssey ▫Homer Romeo & JulietRomeo & Juliet ▫William Shakespeare

Grades & Assessments Writing………….………45%Writing………….………45% ▫The single most important aspect of Freshman English! Reading…………………35%Reading…………………35% ▫One hour of recreational reading at home is a CA standard for English! Listening, Speaking, Participation…………..25%Listening, Speaking, Participation…………..25% Grade weighted most in writingGrade weighted most in writing ▫FOUR required essays: one per quarter  No essay = F for the quarter! ▫Writing tools ▫Essay structure & critical thinking ▫Many opportunities to write throughout year

Expectations My belief is that all students are capable of behaving responsibly, cooperatively, professionally and courteously at all times. Participation and behavior is documented by a system a participation points. In order to avoid losing participation points, students need to abide by the following: Follow all school rules and guidelines, including District Dress Code. Upon arriving in class, be seated and take out agenda, pen/pencil, and note paper so that you are ready to begin learning when the period begins. If you are not in your seat when the period begins, you will be marked tardy. Students arriving late without passes will be considered tardy. Turn off all electronic devices and put them away before entering the classroom. NO eating, drinking, or chewing gum in class. Only water is permitted. Respect the property, people, and supportive atmosphere of our classroom. Lost books will be replaced once paid for. Remain seated until I dismiss the class. Disregard for these basic requirements will generally result in the loss of one participation point. Repeated infractions will result in the loss of more participations points and possible further consequences (detention, Saturday school).

Parent/Teacher Communication Open lines of communicationOpen lines of communication ▫ ▫Note, however, that the first point of communication should always be between teacher and student – we’re getting ready for college and the real world here! Online GradesOnline Grades ▫Updated every few weeks  Remember that grades are impacted heavily by writing grades, and that grading these is time- intensive activity.  A student who blithely neglects to submit an essay because his/her grade is “pretty good anyway” is in for a rude awakening at grade-reporting time!!