ETERNITY EXCELLENCE COMMUNITY 2014-2015

Introduction to English

RenWeb Course ID:H130 INTRO-A and H130 INTRO-B

Meeting time and days: Class location:Period 1 Monday – Friday B401Period 3 Monday – Friday B401

Instructor Information:Mr. Brent Beckerbbecker@alliance.k12.ec

Required Textbooks, Websites and Materials: The Outsiders, West Side Story, Romeo & Juliet, Fiddler on the Roof, Merchant of Venice, and Same Kind of Different As Me (Students are responsible for replacement costs if the text is lost or damaged).

beckersenglishsite.weebly.com

Course OverviewIntroduction to English (2 semesters – 1 credit)Prerequisite: None

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God” “And the Word became flesh, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” –Apostle John

Welcome to Introduction to English, a world where words and ideas take on flesh and come to life. It is a world in which you will learn to think critically, communicate clearly and love deeply. The following sheets provide the nuts and bolts for flourishing in this, your first English class as a high school student here at the Alliance Academy International. Additionally, please be aware that this is an English-only classroom. The use of any other language, apart from educational purposes, will result in Conduct Grade demerits.

This course provides a concentration of grammar study and the writing process for composition.Appreciation for literature will be developed through a study of poetry, certain novels, drama, essays, and short stories. Other areas covered will be speaking skills, listening skills, spelling, and vocabulary. This course is required for all students prior to enrollment in the other English electives.

Course Objectives: My passion and desire is to encourage you to love literature and writing, as both a means of experiencing the expression of others as well as finding your own voice for creative expression and articulate conviction. All work done this year will be in line with State of Virginia Standards of Learning (VA SOL) found at http://www.doe.virginia.gov To that end, the following objectives will point:

Read1. To introduce the works of various authors and their reflection on as well as influence of their

specific time periods, and literature in general; 2. To explore the world of poetry and some of the various forms of structure and meter; 3. To read short stories and discover the various elements and components of a story;

Write4. To develop writing skills that reflect clear organization, solid support through detail, smooth

transition between paragraphs, proper grammar, and unique style;5. To effectively analyze a work of literature and respond appropriately through journal entries,

argumentative and/or comparative essays6. To expand your use of vocabulary through regular vocabulary assignments;

Speak7. To present work in front of the class or small groups orally, both analysis of other works as well

as personal writings; and8. To provide dramatic readings of a section of text, as well as act out scenes from various plays

Teaching strategies: Class discussions and Socratic seminars Student reading and performance/presentation Teacher and student lecture Individual and group in-class activities Assessment of learning through quizzes, projects and/or tests

Course Topics: First Semester: Identity in Relationship

Who is God?Who am I? Identity in family and friendship: The OutsidersIdentity culturally: West Side StoryIdentity romantically: Romeo & Juliet

Second Semester: Identity in Society Identity religiously: Esther and Fiddler on the RoofIdentity ethnically: Merchant of VeniceExpression of identity: PoetryIdentity in Totality: Same Kind of Different As Me

Christian Faith Integration:1. The student will understand that all truth is God’s truth.2. The student will begin to grasp that God created all things, including him/her. 3. The student will wrestle with his/her identity, and seek to see identity deeply rooted in a

God that loves him/her passionately and created us all for relationship with Him.4. The student will see the implications of that identity in his/her relationships as

expressed in familial, friendship, romantic, cultural, ethnic and societal contexts.

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5. The student will understand the importance of living and demonstrating submission to and dependence upon God as well as humanity.

6. The student will understand the value of critical thinking in matters of faith, as well as in

Classroom MaterialsEach student is responsible for providing their own materials for class which include:

1. A 3-ring binder with dividers and loose-leaf paper2. A spiral notebook (commonly referred to as your Rev Notebook)3. Pens and pencils

Course requirements:1. Daily in class: Be sure to bring all of your classroom materials and reading text each day. 2. You must make sure to write down your homework each day and note the due date. 3. Tests will assess your knowledge of the text studied as well as various concepts discussed in

class and pursued through home learning opportunities.4. Group, individual and independent projects will also be used to help broaden your horizons

and expand your understanding of a text or concept studied. 5. Occasionally there may be announced (or even unannounced) quizzes at the beginning of

class over assigned reading. Do your reading!6. A final semester exam will be given and count 20% of your semester grade.

Evaluation/Grading: The grading system at the AAI is the understanding that the value of assigning grades to student work is that of communication – not compensation. All instruction at the AAI is based upon learning standards, competencies, and outcomes. Students are graded on a 4 point scale.

A 4 - Advanced The student has mastered learning objectives and demonstrates depth of understanding and flexible application of concepts and skills.

B 3 - Proficient The student demonstrates independent understanding and independent application of learning objectives.

C 2 - Emergent The student demonstrates understanding, however, shows incomplete/inconsistent application of learning objectives.

D 1 - Limited Evidence

The student demonstrates limited understanding and limited application of learning objectives.

F 0 - Not Enough Evidence

The student demonstrates minimal understanding and no application of learning objectives.

All grading will include two categories of assessment: formative and summative. Formative assessments will evaluate your process on the journey of learning. Summative assessments will be the endpoint understanding of the learning that has occurred. This is the rough breakdown of percentages:Formative: Quizzes and Homework 20%Summative: Essays and Papers 30%Tests 20%Projects 30%

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PTS Conferences: Any student receiving a 70 or lower at the end of Terms 1,2, 4 and/or 5 will be required to meet with Mr. Becker during the established PTS Conferences

Exemptions (Semester):There will be no exemptions from semester exams.

Late Work Policy: All work must be turned in at the beginning of the period unless otherwise noted by the teacher. Late work will be assigned a HAT and subject to the consequences associated with incomplete work. If you are having trouble with an assignment, please contact me ahead of time (midnight the day it is due, is NOT ahead of time).

Homework Additional Time (H.A.T.)Homework Additional Times (HATs) are provided to assist students in successfully completing their assignments in a timely manner as well as to help students build a practice of personal discipline in the fulfillment of their school work. Students who fail to turn-in assignments at the scheduled time may be required to attend H.A.T.

Classroom Standards: I expect that our classroom will be a place of vibrancy and excitement, a place where people are willing to learn, to be challenged, to stretch their thinking, and to share their thoughts. In order for this exuberance to not become chaos, there are some standards of mutual respect I require:

1. Be in your seat with all your materials by the time the bell rings. 2. Respect the people, equipment and furnishings of Room B401.3. Raise your hand for permission to speak or get up from your desk.4. Listen carefully and follow instructions. 5. This is an English-only classroom. Enjoy speaking English in this classroom.

Consequences for choosing to violate a classroom rule:First time: Name in book. Warning.Second time: One check next to your name = Demerit.Third time: Two checks next to your name = Action plan (due the following day). Fourth time: Three checks next to your name = Discuss further options with the Dean of Students.

Rewards for choosing to follow the classroom rules:1. Satisfaction of doing good work. 2. Affirmation from the teacher (high five, note, merit)3. Free, undistracted reading time (weekly)4. Class parties for specific reasons (monthly basis)

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Clarification on Standards: 1. Timeliness: Knowing that we have limited time for all of our adventures each day, you will arrive

on time to class with all of your materials (plus the book we are reading) and be seated at your desk working on the WUA (Rev assignment, G&M, Read) when the bell rings.

2. Respect: a. Me: You will respect my input and instruction and will not be talking while I am. When

you have a question or point to make, you will raise your hand calmly and wait until you are called upon.

b. Others: You will respect your fellow students and will not talk over them or do the “raised-hand-dance” while they are speaking.

c. Yourself: Cheating/Plagiarism: You will not cheat or plagiarize. God made you a unique individual—why would you want to steal someone else’s work or their ideas and call them your own? Have more respect for yourself than that and offer what is yours to offer. Students are required to give proper credit to all Internet sources used in academic assignments, whether quoted or summarized. This includes all forms of media on the Internet, such as graphics, movies, music, and text. Plagiarism of Internet resources will be treated in the same manner as any other incidences of plagiarism, as stated in the school handbook.Note: If at any time in your enrollment at the AAI you have an Academic Dishonesty incident, you will receive a zero for the work and will be immediately referred to the Dean of Students and placed into the probationary process. (See the Student Handbook for the full policy).

Procedures: 1) The Start of Class:

Success in class starts with preparation before class even starts. Make sure that you have brought the appropriate materials to class.

Find your assigned seat and sit down. Pull out your notebook and any relevant reading material. Read the board for the morning’s Warm-Up assignment and get started on it immediately. If there was homework due that day, please place it on the upper left-hand corner of your desk

while Mr. Becker comes by to check for completion of it. If Mr. Becker wants it handed in, then follow the procedure for handing in homework.

Mr. Becker will tell you when the Rev assignment is done—keep writing until given direction to stop. If it is another assignment, then you may pull out a book and read while waiting.

2) The End of Class: Remember the important adage: The teacher releases the student, not the bell. When the bell rings, make sure to check all around your area and pick up any garbage. Make sure that you have written down the homework for the following night. Pack up your things and make sure you have not forgotten any personal items. Remain in your seat until the teacher dismisses the class. Have a great rest of your day.

3) Teacher Assistance: When students need to ask for assistance, they will do the following: Raise their hand straight in the air, not waving it or doing anything else distracting Once I see and acknowledge their hand, I will do two of the following:

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If it is quiet and students are working, I will nod my head, acknowledging I see them and will be there soon, then they will put their hand down and continue to work until I get to them.

If the class is discussing, I will call them by name and they can state their question or comment out loud.

4) Student Understanding: When students do not understand a concept being discussed, they will do the following: Raise their hand to signal that they do not understand. Identify the area of confusion if they are able, forming their specific concern in a question if

possible. Make the effort to understand, asking clarifying questions again with raised hand if further

clarification is needed. When students understand a concept being discussed, they will do the following: Nod their heads in agreement Be called upon to state the learning objective or concept in their own words.

5) Student Attention: Mr. Becker will tap a bell to indicate that he wants the attention of the group. Once the bell

sounds, students will do the following: Stop whatever they are doing immediately. Turn and face me, paying attention with their eyes on me. Be prepared for direction or instruction as I will have something to say.

6) Handing in Work: All assignments will be due at the beginning of class, unless the students are directed otherwise.

Any assignment turned in after the beginning of class will be considered late. All assignments will be accomplished with blue or black ink, but preferably typed. All assignments will be placed on the upper left-hand corner of the desk during your WUA so

that I can come by and check it, as well as give you feedback on your work. If I ask for work to be handed in, students will pass their work across the aisle to their left. Once the work arrives at the aisle closest Mr. Becker’s desk, then the person who is sitting in the

first desk of that row will pick those all up, place a paper clip from the resource desk around the papers and place them on Mr. Becker’s desk.

7) Student Binders: Every student will have a binder labeled specifically for this class. They will bring this to class for

credit. The binder will be distributed into three/four different sections. Should the sections be

distributed or broken up based upon the units we are studying? There will be a section for grammar and mechanics, but there could just be The Outsiders, etc. The problem is that they will have to change those descriptors at semester.

8) Absent Student: When students are absent, they will complete the following procedure: Review the website/Renweb for their missed assignments from their absence (they can access

this from home during their absence). Hand in any work to the teacher that was due the day(s) they were absent

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Look in the folder marked for their class and retrieve any worksheets from the days of their absence.

Borrow the notes from a fellow student with the information from the lecture from the previous day (if there was one).

Complete the work within the prescribed timeframe based upon number of days missed.

9) Tardy Student: When students are tardy to class, they will follow the prescribed procedure: Enter the class quietly Place any note explaining their absence on the teacher’s desk. Proceed quietly to their desk and begin with the Rev Assignment at the start of the class If the student is sufficiently late that the Rev assignment is completed, he/she will be required to

get the prompt and finish with the assignment out of class.

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Introduction to English (H130 INTRO)PARENT & STUDENT SIGNATURES

I have read this syllabus carefully and understand what is required.

_________________________________________________Student Name Printed

__________________________________ __________________________________Student Signature Parent Signature

Sign and return one copy of this page to the teacher no later than Friday, September 5th. Late submission will result in a grade reduction. Retain a copy for yourself. You will also find a copy of the syllabus at www.renweb.com.

Parent Teacher Student Conferences are held twice each year and both parents and students are encouraged to attend. Students scoring with a C- or less are required to attend. If a parent desires to speak with a teacher at any other time, an appointment can be scheduled through the secondary office by calling 226-6985 ext. 6205.

A Note to Parents/Guardians

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Feel free to contact me at any time. You will find my email address at the top of the syllabus. I value your partnership in your child’s education as I, along with you, desire your child to be successful. Please know that it is my commitment to aiding him/her in achieving success in Introduction to English. Should you have any questions or comments for me at this time, please record them on the lines below, and I will contact you at my earliest convenience. Thank you. I look forward to teaching your student this semester!

Sincerely,

Mr. Brent BeckerQuestions or comments :

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