1. How many movies, books, poems, and commercials have you seen about finding an amazing hidden treasure? What is the treasure? Just gold, money, jewels… or is it something more? Literature invites us on a treasure hunt. A search that will hopefully bring us closer to ourselves and to what we truly want out of life. By the end of this year, I hope you’ll begin to understand what you want out of life and how to get it. This is the treasure we seek. Name _______________________________________________________________________________ Date___________________ Per________ Seat# _______ Required Materials Due Friday, September 4 th : Spiral bound notebook, 70 to100 pages and no smaller than 8”x10 1/2” Homework planner- any type that works for you Please ensure that you have pen, pencils and paper with you everyday. Participation points may be deducted for missing materials. Due Friday, September 11 th : The Alchemist, a novel by Paulo Coelho Texts for Fall Semester: The Alchemist, Coelho The Odyssey, Homer Antigone, Sophocles Texts for Spring Semester: Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare Novel Talks Other texts to be determined Consequence Steps Over Grading Period 1. White Card- Warning and participation points deducted (you may receive up to 2 White Cards per grading period before receiving a Yellow Card) 2. Yellow Card- Participation points deducted and Student/Teacher conference after class 3. Red Card- Detention and/or a phone call home (teacher’s discretion) 4. Assortment of methods determined case by case such as parent conference, behavioral contract, extended detention or other consequence tailored to the student. Some offenses will jump immediately to the Red Card. Make sure you know what they are! 2009-2010 Course Description Mrs. Dara Loftis Email: dara.loftis@smusd.org Phone: 760.290.2700, Ext 3430, RM 430 Grading Category Weights Homework, Class Work & Participation = 30% Writing = 20% Tests & Assessments = 20% Projects = 10% Proficiency Essays & Benchmark Tests = 10% Final = 10% General Expectations: I am aware most of you have no need for these to be stated, but for the sake of clear communication the behavioral expectations are listed below. 1. Respect Mrs. Loftis, your classmates, and your community. Discuss concerns with me at break, lunch, after school or through email Class ends at Mrs. L’s dismissal Use language wisely: no profanity, no negativity Please no food or drinks (water OK) Dress appropriately for our academic environment (refer to dress code) Obey Mission Hills High School rules 2. Maintain a positive attitude. Be positive and uplifting to everyone around you. Most aspects of life include positives and negatives: make the most of both! Be aware of your tone of voice and facial expression All criticism needs to be constructive in content and method (see rule #1) 3. Listen to directions and follow them the first time. Be ready to learn Take responsibility for yourself and for your learning NO listening device (IPod, etc) or cell phone use allowed Turn work in on time 4. Be in your seat working before class starts. Lock out procedure When you enter class, start the exercise prepared for you without distraction.

2. ABSENCES It is your responsibility to locate and make-up all missed work if you are absent. SOME TOOLS TO HELP YOU… Call or meet with your challenge group to ensure you understood the homework and to retrieve in-class assignments. Phone #s: Your challenge group members need to write down the agenda, take notes, and gather handouts for you while your absent. Please contact one of them to get missed class work. If necessary in the back of the classroom, you will see the “Assignment Notebook.” The extra handouts from each day will be placed in this file. You may also check the website for daily homework:. Email me (dara.loftis@smusd.org) for clarification. Include an explanation of your understanding of the assignment(s). Please contact me for instruction and clarification, not for the list of assignments. Late work due to absence must be submitted the day you return otherwise, it may not be accepted. Please make arrangements in advance for lengthy absences. Notify me and the counseling office of extended sicknesses or emergencies as soon as possible. Email works best. Major assignments due the day you were absent are still required to be submitted on time. If necessary, email me (dara.loftis@smusd.org). Always submit a hard copy on the day of your return. Tests must be taken within one week of your return (exceptions for longer absences). All make-ups are given at lunch or after school on Tuesday. Make an appointment with Mrs. L the day you return from your absence. If you are truant, no late work will be accepted. When Mrs. Loftis needs your attention… Mrs. Loftis will call you to attention by asking for your eyes and bodies to face her. OR Mrs. Loftis will play a short song. As soon as it plays, your eyes and body need to face front ready to listen. Other methods will be presented throughout the year. When we need to get into Challenge Group formation.. First, a song chosen by Mrs. L will play. Second, we will all face forward and put our backpacks on our desk. Then, the front two desks flip their chairs to face the back wall. Next, the back two desks will push forward. Lastly, we will face Mrs. L ready for instructions. To return, the song will play again, and we will do everything in reverse. When we need to get into Socratic Seminar formation… Middle seats (emerald, lemon, bronze) turn inwards and move forward to make a small circle in the middle of the room. Outside seats (all others) push desks close to the wall to make a large circle around the inside circle. Coming in to class: Enter the class quietly. Begin working right away. Each day begins by reading the agenda, writing down your homework and beginning the DO- NOW activity on the board. Come prepared to work: Have all materials necessary for that day’s work including homework to turn in, paper, pencils, handouts, silent reading materials, and other materials for that day. You may only use the electric sharpener before the tardy bell. If you come without your materials participation points may be deducted. The use of cell phones and listening devices is not allowed in class. You may use your dictionary any time except during tests. Class does not end until Mrs. Loftis dismisses you: When Mrs. L dismisses you, exit quietly and respectfully. Assignments may need to be turned in on your way out of class. Please put assignments in the correct compartment. Coming in to class: Enter the class quietly. Begin working right away. Each day begins by reading the agenda, writing down your homework and beginning the DO- NOW activity on the board. Come prepared to work: Have all materials necessary for that day’s work including homework to turn in, paper, pencils, handouts, silent reading materials, and other materials for that day. You may only use the electric sharpener before the tardy bell. If you come without your materials participation points may be deducted. The use of cell phones and listening devices is not allowed in class. You may use your dictionary any time except during tests. Class does not end until Mrs. Loftis dismisses you: When Mrs. L dismisses you, exit quietly and respectfully. Assignments may need to be turned in on your way out of class. Please put assignments in the correct compartment.