1. bargerel@hickoryschools.net phone & ext. 1
Ms. Barger Hickory Career and Arts Magnet
ENGLISH 1 honors
Course Description
Class Expectations
As high schoolers you know how to behave at school, I expect you to demonstrate that appropriate behavior.
I expect you comply with set classroom procedures for various activities. I’ve listed a few of the key ones below:
Be in your seat working on Grammar tardy bell rings.
Put your name and the date at the top of every paper.
Do not use electronic devices in class without teacher permission.
Limit bathroom breaks to independent work time. Sign yourself in/out as directed.
Maintain a clean and orderly work area.
3. Come with all necessary supplies.
Welcome to English 1! Our focus this school year will be examining a variety of literary genre’s in order to continue developing our skills as critical thinkers, readers, writers, speakers, and listeners. These skills help you understand a text, but more importantly they help you communicate with other people and thus build relationships. The success of your adult life will depend a lot on how well you read, write, and communicate with others.
What types of writing will I do this year?
Our writing will fall in to three main categories: analysis, response, and journal writing. We will learn the basics of good paragraph writing and apply that skill to all the writing we do this semester. We will also be doing extended writing projects and short essays.
What types of reading will I do this year?
We will be reading a little bit of everything: short stories, poetry, novels, and plays. These reading will be taken from the school text book, internet sources, or school provided novels. The readings will cover a number of different topics while still reflecting themes of independence and growing up.
Do I have to read outside of class?
It’s an honors class, yes. That being said, I will provide you with time in class to read and complete homework assignments. If you use that time well, you probably won’t have much or any work to do outside of class. If you waste the time I’ve given you, you will find yourself doing a lot of work outside of class. If you are working hard during the time given in class and still have a lot of work to do at home, please let me know so that I can help.
What kind of assignments will we be doing?
This year I plan on doing a variety of traditional and non traditional assignments designed to engage all learning styles as well as integrate arts. These include: foladables, creating artifacts, small group and independent learning, Project Based Learning, Reading Groups, daily Grammar instruction, and activities that involve music, dance, visual and theatre arts. The majority of these will be kept in our interactive notebooks.
Supplies
Chromebook
Composition book
Pencils/pens
Eraser
If you would like to contribute to the classroom supplies:
Kleenex
scissors
College-ruled filler paper
Pencils/Pens
colored pencils
What is an Interactive Student Notebook?
The Interactive Student Notebook (ISN) is a portfolio of student work. The modified version that we will be creating this year will have teacher directed notes, class activities, foldables, evidence of student understanding, and other needed study material. You will need a notebook, I prefer composition books, but a spiral will work as well. You will be graded on both the notebook as a whole and individual assignments.
These notebooks will STAY AT SCHOOL, do not plan on using this notebook in multiple classes. You may sign them out before major assessments.
Where do I go to find agendas and assignments?
Google Classroom will be used to house any online portions of our class. We will discuss how to access this program during the first week of school.
phone & ext

2. Grade Scale Grading Policy
Ms. Barger Hickory Career and Arts Magnet
Grade Scale
How will I check my grade for this class? A
= % B
= 80-89% C
= 70-79% D
= 60-69% F
= 59 or below
Class progress reports or report cards will be sent home every three weeks. Parents and students are also strongly encouraged to check the Parent Portal to view the most current grades for EVERY class. I will do my best to have grades updated each week. If you every have questions about your grades, please come speak with me.
What do I do if I am absent?
Grading Policy
It is your responsibility to get and complete all make up work! If you know your going to be out, meet with me a few days BEFORE to get the work. Otherwise, meet with me the next day to get any missing assignments. Your classmates are another great source for getting missing work. I would also suggest signing up for an AE tutoring session.
This classroom operates on a total points system. Each assignment has a point value: test and major writing assignments are usually 100+ points, quizzes are around 20 points, and homework/classwork is usually points. Your grade is determined by the number of points you earn divided by the possible number of points you could have earned.
In the scenario below the grade would be 132/135 which is 97 and by the state grade scale and A
The average semester has 500+ points, this makes it easier for students to recover from a poor test grade and to more clearly see that they are learning.
What happens if I turn in an assignment late?
Your grade will be posted as a zero until the assignment is completed. I do not accept late work after the reporting period which is every three weeks. Students who are missing assignments or have a D or lower in the class will be assigned AE tutoring per school policy.
* YOU turning in your work late is not an emergency for me, it will be graded in a timely manner but current work will come first.
Assignment
Points possible
Points
earned
Small assignment 15 14
Weekly Grammar 20
Big Test
100 98
Grade:
135
132
What happens if I need more time on an assignment?
Should you need more time, please speak with me 1+ days BEFORE the assignment is due. I will decide alternate due dates based on individual circumstances. I am more likely to grant extensions to students who consistently use time given in class well.
What do I get if I follow class rules?
Your appropriate behavior in class assures everyone of an environment conducive to learning. It’s my hope that you will gain an increased knowledge of literature, satisfaction in your own learning, improved skills, verbal praise, positive note to parents, tangible trinkets, and special class activities / privileges.
What are the consequences if I don’t follow class rules?
Common consequences used in this classroom include the following:
Warning: If your behavior is unacceptable, you will be given the choice to change your behavior and act appropriately. This could be verbal or written.
Removal from Classroom: If your behavior disrupts others learning, you will be sent to another classroom/office to work independently until you choose to correct your behavior.
Referral to Administration: For serious offences students will be removed immediately and referred to administration. Students will be referred as needed for other offences or patterns of disruptive behavior.
* The order and number of consequences will be determined by the teacher.