1. Course Overview Mrs. Odom
English I honors
Course Overview
Mrs. Odom

2. Welcome! Find your assigned seat.
If you have your summer reading letter signed, please turn it in on the podium.
As I call your name, please let me know if you prefer to go by a nickname/middle name/etc.

3. Summer Reading
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee & The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Both books must be read and annotated already.
Wednesday, 8/17
Summer Reading Quiz (Comprehension)
Annotations will be graded
Students who have not completed the summer reading assignment will be removed from honors English and placed in a regular class.

4. Academic Expectations
Advanced reading, writing, and analytical skills
Good study skills, including self-motivation
Ability to complete work independently (without whining!)
Timed in-class essays
Socratic Seminars (min. of 1 per 9 weeks)
Each student must participate verbally in the discussions; this will be a major part of the assignment grade.

5. Classroom Rules & Expectations
Be on time, on task, and prepared to learn everyday.
Personal electronics are for educational purposes only.
Be responsible for your own learning.
Respect the teacher, the classroom, and other students.
Trash goes in the trashcan or recycling.

6. Daily Procedures Beginning of the Class: During Class:
Be in your seat when the bell rings.
Clear your desk of everything except your English materials.
Be prepared for class: English binder, writing utensil, book, etc.
Begin the bell ringer on the board. (More on this.)
During Class:
Remain seated unless there is a reason to get up.
Don’t interrupt me or others.
Remain on task.
End of the Class:
Make sure you have all your belongings and homework, if assigned.
Do not line up at the door. Remain in your seat until the bell rings.

7. Bell Ringers Write the date each day. Skip a line in between days.
Entries must be legible and in order.
If you were absent, write “ABSENT” under that date. (This is your responsibility.)
I will collect bell work approx. every two weeks to be graded.

8. Required Materials 3-ring binder w/dividers
Blue or Black Pens and Pencils
Looseleaf Notebook Paper
Highlighters (multiple colors)
Sticky Notes
Agenda (issued by school)
Reading Material

9. Grades
Total points: final average is the percentage of points earned out of points possible.
Points may vary, but this is a general reference on weight.
Tests/Major Writing Assignments: 100 points
Minor Writing Assignments: points
Quizzes: 30 points
Classwork/Homework: points
Projects: points

10. Communication Email Website Remind OdomMN@santarosa.k12.fl.us
Remind
See handout for instructions on signing up.

11. Absences Makeup work is entirely your responsibility!
Assignment Notebook
Work is due on the third day back. Previously assigned work is due on the first day back. You must remember to give it to me; I will not remind you.
You will be required to come in before school unless I approve an alternate time.

12. Late Work
Late work will not be accepted for credit unless prior arrangements are made with me (and approved).
Late projects and essays (major grades) will lose one letter grade per day late.
Will not be accepted more than three school days late for any credit.

13. Scenario
You are absent the day a paper is due. The next day you are back at school, but do not have your assignment. You turn it in on your second day back. How many points do you lose (assuming a possible 100 points)?
20 points—2 days late!

14. Discipline
Good behavior is expected from all students, especially honors students.
Major infractions: Immediate discipline referral to dean.
Fighting, defiance, major disruptions, etc.
Referrals will also be issued for violations of the school’s tardy and cell phone policies.
Minor infractions will be logged in a discipline log, creating a cumulative effect that can result in a referral.
See back page for example; please go over this with your parents.
Talking, being out of seat, minor disruptions, etc.

15. Electronic Devices
Electronic devices are an invaluable resource, but they can also be distracting.
They must be put away unless I give permission for you to use it.
If you are using it without permission:
1st time: I will confiscate until the end of the class period.
2nd time and on: Referral and you must get it back from the dean at the end of the school day; school’s cell phone policy will apply for consequences.
On test/quiz days (and any other time I decide), all cell phones must be stored at the back of the room.
If you are caught with your phone when I have instructed you to turn it in, you will receive a referral for defiance.

16. Plagiarism/Cheating
Plagiarism and cheating are violations of academic integrity, which will not be tolerated in any academic setting.
Improper and/or missing citations of sources = plagiarism
Copying someone else’s answers and/or sharing your own answers are both examples of cheating.
0 on the assignment.
Parent contact, possible referral

17. Extra Credit Reading 1st 9 Week Choices:
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
A Time to Kill by John Grisham
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Choice must be approved by parents and you have to obtain your own copy.
Must come in before school no later than Friday, October 7.
Possible 2 points added to final average at end of grading period.

18. Misc. Notes Internet access and printing are required.
Sports and other obligations (vacation, drama, etc.) do not excuse you from assignments or give you an extension.
Code 2: Absence policies apply.
I will notify your coach if there is an issue.

19. Questions?

20. Signed Syllabus
Please have your parents read and sign the syllabus as well as the example discipline log.
Signed syllabus due Wednesday, August 17.