English 313 Syllabus 2008 – 2009 Mr. Correa Course Description ...

English 313 Syllabus 2008 – 2009Mr. CorreaCourse Description: This is a full year course for freshmen in the College PrepProgram. Students will begin and continue the study of grammar, vocabulary, writing,oral communication, and an introduction to various types of literature at an acceleratedpace. The literature studied will include selections from short stories, poetry, drama,nonfiction, and novels.Lectures, discussions, cooperative learning, and group work will encompass most of theclass work. Students are highly encouraged and should feel free to ask questions andparticipate in class discussions on course-related material. Participation is essential tosuccess in this class. Students MUST participate in discussions in order to demonstratecomprehension and awareness of the course material –- Mr. Correa is not a mindreader!Required Texts and Materials:The Language of Literature (Grade 9)The Interactive Reader Plus (Grade 9)To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee (paperback)Animal Farm, by George Orwell (paperback)The Pigman, by Paul Zindel (paperback provided by DLS)*** You may be required to purchase one or two extra paperback novels during theyear.Students must also bring to class everyday their laptop, a blue or black writing utensil,the proper text(s), an assignment book, a folder, and loose leaf paper. Failure to bringnecessary material to class everyday will result in loss of points.Homework Policy: In order to succeed in this class, students must completeassignments outside of the classroom. Homework is ALWAYS due at the beginning ofeach class. Failure to hand in homework on time will result in the assignment’s gradebeing lowered one full letter grade. Getting homework in on time is extremelyimportant. However, an assignment turned in late is better than a zero in the gradebook.Handwritten homework will NOT be accepted (unless otherwise specified in theassignment). Nor will any assignments be accepted via e-mail, unless extendedabsences occur or students are given explicit permission. That means it is the student’sresponsibility to have the work printed at home the night before or have it printed atschool before his English period. A physical copy of the assignment is mandatory inorder to receive points.*** Every homework assignment turned in must have the appropriate heading at thetop: student’s name, date, class, period, and title of actual assignment.If you are absent, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find out whatever work,assignments, and/or notes that you might have missed. You must learn to becomeresponsible for yourself! All homework assignments will always be posted on the DLSwebsite for both student and parents to see.

For any amount of days a student is absent, the student will have that many day(s) toturn the work in. However, only students with excused absences will have theopportunity to make-up missed assignments or tests. When a student is absent for aquiz or test, that quiz or test must be made up before or after school – not during classtime.Laptops: Laptops will and should only be used for academic purposes in theclassroom when required. Any video games, inappropriate websites, videos, etcdiscovered will be handled swiftly and punitively. Your laptop is NOT a toy!!!Grading: Your final grade will be based on the following:• Tests/Quizzes = 40% • Essays = 20%• Homework = 30% • Participation = 10%Each homework assignment, quiz, test, and essay will be given a point value. Tests willusually be worth 200 - 300 points, quizzes worth 100 points, and homeworkassignments can range from 20 to 100 points. The student’s final total of points at theend of each grading period divided by the total points possible will result in his lettergrade.Classroom Behavior: Students must follow one simple rule: RESPECT yourself,RESPECT your peers, RESPECT your teacher, and RESPECT your classroom. Failure toshow respect in any way will result in swift punishment. Examples of behavior thatwill not be tolerated:• cheating and plagiarism (copying HW)• tardiness• sleeping• eating or bringing food to class• speaking out of turn• profanity and inappropriate language• getting out of your seat without permission• moving your desk without permission• littering and defacing property• coming unprepared for class• not keeping hands to yourselfThe classroom is OUR environment. In order to fully accomplish our goals andmaximize class time, respect and order must exist at all times.I have read and fully understand the requirements and expectations of myself and my son for thisEnglish class.___________________________ ______________________________ _________Student’s Signature Parent/Guardian’s Signature DateThank you for your cooperation,Mr. Vince Correacorreav@dls.org(312) 842-7355 ext. 219