1. August 24, 2016
On the back of your name plate add three things you would like to learn this year (in any class or even outside of class)

2. Mindset and success
Make a list of the things you feel you are good at and some of the things you aren't; for each item, explain why
Share your list and reasons with your group
Pick two items on your "not good" list and discuss what it would take for you to become better at each

3. Turn-and-Talk
Discuss with your group a time when you worked really, really hard on a project or skill, surprising even yourself with your “grit.”
What made you work so hard?
Did you ever feel like giving up?
What kept you going?
How did it turn out?
What did you feel when it was all over?

4. Short response
What makes it so hard to believe in ourselves and keep believing in ourselves?

5. We are here to grow and learn!

6. Syllabus Teacher: Sarah Schelstrate Room: J-109
Phone: (956)
Conference: 3:00-3:40 daily
Class Website:

7. Supplies
Students will need the following materials for use in this course:
*1 one inch binder (any color) *Flags and small cube Post-Its
*8 index dividers *Five different colored highlighters
*Black or blue ink pens or pencils *1 pkg. notebook paper
(Recommended: 1 pin drive-at least 2 GB-and ear buds/SMALL headphones)

8. Electronics policy
We frequently utilize electronics in this class; therefore, it is of the utmost importance that students remain on task when the assignment calls for use of electronic devices. Any student caught off task (i.e. snapchatting, Facebooking, texting, etc.) will have their device confiscated for the remainder of the period and their electronic assignment forfeited. They will have a chance to complete the assignment by hand only. For those students without electronic devices I will have computers available for use. In order to use an electronic device in class, students must sign an electronic use policy provided by the teacher the first day of class. The apps we will be using in class are all free apps and should be downloaded as soon as possible. They are as follows:
Pic Collage
Remind: Safe Classroom Communication
Dictionary.com
Google Slides & Google Docs OR Microsoft Power Point & Word
NO VIDEOTAPING OR PHOTOGRAPHY OF PEOPLE IS ALLOWED IN CLASS (not even selfies). Taking pictures/videos of people in class will lead to disciplinary action.

9. Testing
**All electronic devices must be turned in to the teacher before testing. They will be returned at the end of the testing period to the student. Any student who fails to turn in an electronic device will receive a ‘0’ on the test with no re-test permitted.

10. Class Participation Expectations
The student will:
Be prompt-Once the tardy bell has rung, if you are not in the room and in your seat, you will be marked tardy. Too many tardies will result in an “NG” on your semester report card
Be prepared-always come to class with correct materials to perform the assigned tasks, your homework completed, and a positive attitude
Be polite- when others are speaking and raise your hand to ask questions, give answers, or to ask permission to leave the classroom. Respect other people’s property and ideas.
Be engaged in your classwork and an active participant in class discussion, coursework, and collaborative group work
Be cognizant of twenty-first century technology netiquette and practice good online habits

11. Grading Policy
In this course, grading will follow PSJA ISD’s policy. Averages will be determined by the following criteria:
Tests 40% (2) *Projects(s) 10% (1)
Quizzes 15% (2) Six Weeks Exam 15% (1)
Classroom/Homework 20% (6)
*Projects may include presentations, research papers, models, reports, collages, posters, experiments, etc.
Student will be responsible for obtaining and completing the makeup work in a satisfactory manner and within the time specified by the teacher.
A student who does not make up assigned work within the time allotted by the teacher will receive a grade of zero for the assignment. A student will be permitted to make up tests and to turn in projects due in any class missed because of absence.
Teachers may assign a late penalty to any long-term project in accordance with time lines approved by the principal and previously communicated to students.
Due Dates
All work is due on the date announced in class. Only under exceptional circumstances will extensions to that due date be allowed. If teacher chooses to accept a late assignment 10 points will be deducted per class day after assignment is due.

12. Research Papers
One of the last summative assignments for this class is a formal research paper accompanied by an oral presentation with a visual. (Further instructions will be given when we begin the Research Paper Unit.) This is the single most important assignment of the course and is the culmination of everything you have learned in class. One major paper will be due in December (semester exam) and the cumulative research project will be due in May (final exam). We will be working on mini-research papers and presentations throughout the year in order to develop and strengthen paraphrasing, citing, and other necessary research skills.

13. Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism, or submitting someone else’s work as your own, is a serious academic offense. Academic honesty is of the utmost importance; therefore, if a student is caught plagiarizing, consequences of the first offense is a lesson on plagiarism (in addition to the one taught in class) and an option to redo the assignment. Any other offense after the first, will result in an automatic zero on the assignment.

14. Substitute Teacher Procedures
In the event that I am absent, please be aware that all assignments are to be completed during the class period. Assignments are due the day they are dispensed when there is a substitute. Students should NOT take the assignments home to finish. Each assignment is designed to be accomplished without teacher assistance. Every task is for a grade, and occasionally, one might be a major grade; therefore, be advised that not finishing the assignment or not attending class will result in a ‘0’ that cannot be made up. All day absences will be the only excuse for not turning in an assignment when there is a substitute teacher.

15. 2016 Summer Reading Assignment
For your summer reading, you were supposed to read and annotate I am Malala as well as complete a project. Please bring the book with your name on it and the annotations as well as whichever project you chose to complete to Ms. Schelstrate’s room (J109) by Friday 8/26/16. The annotations are a homework grade, and the project is a project grade for the first six weeks. If you did the assignments for Friday Night Lights as well, you may bring those for extra credit. Please be aware that you will need the I am Malala book for several assignments throughout the first six weeks; therefore, if you have not read it, it is imperative that you do so immediately. Late summer reading assignments will be accepted until September 23rd with a grading scale as follows:
Aug. 29-Sept. 2: -10 points from each assignment
Sept. 5-9: -20 points from each assignment
Sept : -30 points from each assignment
Sept : -40 points from each assignment

16. Tutoring
Tutoring is held every Saturday beginning September 10th from A student earns extra credit for every time he/she attends tutoring. In addition, second semester there will be after school tutoring and pull-out tutoring during 9th period. We will have a benchmark in November and another in January. Failure on either benchmark will require the student to attend tutoring to ensure that he/she passes his/her English II STAAR EOC on March 30, 2017.

17. Communication/Remind Sign-up
Students will receive extra credit for
signing up via mobile or .
If parents wish to register as well,
please include your child’s name so
that I can associate you with them.

18. Letter to your future self
Write a letter to yourself (at least ½ page long)
Talk about
What you want to learn this year (can be in any class)
What you think of your classes so far
What you hope to accomplish this year/your goalS
WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE AND WHAT YOU ALL LIKE TO DO TOGETHER
*I WILL PICK THIS LETTER UP AND GIVE IT BACK TO YOU AT THE END OF THE YEAR!*