3. Entry Bell 7:20 1 st Period-English I Advanced 7:30- 8:20 2 nd Period-English I Pre-Ap 8:25- 9:15 3 rd Period- English I Pre-Ap 9:20- 10:10 4 th Period- English I Pre-Ap 10:15- 11:05 5 th Period – Theater Arts I 11:10- 12:10 6 th Period – Conference 12:45- 1:35 7 th Period – Theater Arts I 1:40- 2:30

4. Biography After graduating from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in Houston, Texas with a focus in theater, I decided to attend Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where I received my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Communications with a concentration in English and African-American studies. After graduation, I worked as a corporate concierge before deciding to pursue my teaching career. I worked as the speech and drama teacher for six years at Lake Olympia Middle School where I was honored to be awarded the Lake Olympia Rookie Teacher of the Year award in 2003-2004, the Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators (HAABSE) Teacher of the Year award in 2005- 2006 and the Lake Olympia Teacher of the Year award in 2006- 2007.

5. Definition of AP AP, or Advanced Placement, Courses are college-level courses that a student can take in high school. The courses are more rigorous than high school courses since they are, in fact, college courses and students can receive college credit for taking the courses, although not all colleges grant students college credit for the courses.

6. Required Materials It is the student’s responsibility to come to class each day with the appropriate materials for class. composition notebook (flat-bound, please) three-ring binder (1.5 to 2 inch) (5 tabs or dividers) blue or black pens pencil red or other color pens for checking work saving device for computer work (flash drive) plenty of notebook paper

7. Course Content 1st Nine Weeks Short Stories Literature Terminology and Application Vocabulary, including prefixes and suffixes Introduction to Writing Genres Open-Ended Writing Strategies Text Structure 2nd Nine Weeks Novel: To Kill a Mockingbird Vocabulary Literature Terminology Writing Strategies/Literary Analysis Open-Ended Writing Strategies 3rd Nine Weeks Introduction to Mythology Epic: The Odyssey Introduction to Research Vocabulary Open-Ended Writing Strategies, continued Expository Writing 4th Nine Weeks Introduction to Poetry Introduction to Drama/Renaissance and William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Vocabulary Writing Strategies/Literary Analysis Expository Writing and Poetry Analysis

8. Late Work Policy Daily Work/Homework - not submitted on time will be counted as late with a maximum next day grade of a 70. After the 70 opportunity has passed, the highest grade the student can earn on the assignment is a 50. No late work will be accepted after the third day. Major Grades- 15 pts per day off of major projects not submitted on time. All work must be completed before the next progress report.

9. Tutorial Policy If at any time you need help with an assignment or need to access a computer to complete an assignment, I encourage you to attend tutorials. Simply show up with your pass, sign in on the tutorial roster and begin work. Don’t forget to sign out before you leave. I offer tutorials on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons from 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. but I am also available on any other day when requested in advance. All tutorials are by appointment only. Make-up tests are given during tutorial times. If you attend tutorials YOU NEED A PASS.

10. Travis Honor Code All students are expected to follow the THS English Department Honor Code. Cheating, copying, or plagiarizing will result in an automatic 0 per Travis High School policy. According to dictionary.com, plagiarism is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and/or thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work.

11. Literature Textbook and books to purchase Holt McDougal Literature 9 We strongly recommend that our students purchase their own copies of the books that we will be reading and analyzing. Annotation is invaluable for thorough analysis. Animal Farm by George Orwell To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee The Color of Water by James McBride Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare One additional Shakespeare play to be assigned later

12. Web Page Consult my web page on the Travis High School web site for important information, due dates, assignments, and documents. www.fortbendisd.com/campuses/ths/cours es.cfm Click on “English” Click on “T. Thomas” by English I AD Click on “T. Thomas” by English I Pre Ap Click on “Resources

13. Contact Information Email: tiffanie.thomas@fortbendisd.com Conference time: 12:45 p.m. – 1:35 p.m. (281) 634-8098