Course Description:

The student will develop the structural and creative skills necessary to produce written language that can be read and interpreted by various audiences.

Learning Goals/Objectives:

• Write to acquire knowledge, clarify thinking, synthesize information, improve study skills, gain confidence, and enhance lifelong communication.
• Write frequently for a variety of purposes such as narration, description, persuasion, exposition, and personal, creative expression.
• Identify and write for a variety of audiences.
• Recognize that language has several levels of usage determined by audience, purpose, and occasion.
• Approach writing tasks systematically and use elements of the writing process as appropriate.
• Practice a variety of prewriting activities to generate, focus and organize ideas.
• Use a variety of appropriate organizational strategies to develop writing on various topics.
• Develop organized writing containing focused, well-developed ideas.
• Demonstrate effective writing style by the use of vivid words, a variety of sentence structures, and appropriate transitions.
• Evaluate and revise writing to focus on purpose, organization, development, transitions, unity, and audience awareness.
• Recognize and demonstrate knowledge of standard English: usage, mechanics, spelling, and sentence structure.
• Identify and begin to use a variety of resources to revise and edit writing.
• Research information from various sources to prepare presentations or reports which use summarizing, paraphrasing, direct quotations, citation of sources, and bibliographic sources.
• Continue to respond actively and imaginatively to literature.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for multicultural and ethnic diversity in language.

Grading:
Grading will follow the policy of the Tipton County School District
A = 93% - 100%
B = 85% - 92%
C = 75% - 84%
D = 70% - 74%
F = 0% - 69%

Text(s):

Elements of Language, Fourth Course, Holt, Rineheart, Winston, 2004.
The Language of Literature, McDougal Lettell, 2006

Assessment:

Classwork: 30%
Tests: 30%
Homework/Projects: 20%
Notebook/Bellwork: 10%
Class Participation: 10%

Behavioral Expectations:

The following are general classroom rules that every student should respect:

• Follow all rules in the Tipton County Student Handbook. These will be enforced.
• Students are required to have textbooks and necessary supplies for class.
• Students should be in their seats and working on Bellwork when the bell rings.
• Students must remain in their seats unless permission has been given to get up from their desks.
• Students are not allowed out of the classroom unless it is an emergency. Don’t ask.
• Desks should be kept flat on the floor. No one may sit on their desks.
• Students may not interrupt the teacher while she is talking.
• Students may talk only when the teacher has given them permission to do so.
• No personal grooming should occur in the classroom.
• No head coverings or sunglasses may be worn in the building.
• No sleeping in the classroom.
• No gum is allowed in the school, no exceptions.
• Students may not touch the intercom button.
• Students may not hang around the door of the classroom.
• Card playing is not permitted.
• Students must not bring the following into the classroom: radios, CD players, MP3 players,
  Gameboys, cell phones, or any other multimedia device.

Consequences of Misbehavior:

Refusal to adhere to the above guidelines for behavior results in the following consequences:

• Verbal Warning/Conference with Student
• Conference with Parent
• Office Referral

The teacher reserves the right to skip any of the above steps, depending on the severity of the offense.

Cheating on a test or homework will result in a zero for the assignment, a call home to parents,
and/or an office referral.

Student Responsibilities:

• Students must be aware of information on the board. It is important, so read it!
• Students will be required to do daily classwork and participate in class activities.
• Students will be responsible for their own work. No cheating or copying another’s work
  will be tolerated.
• Students are responsible for making up missed work. We will observe school policy on absenteeism.

Supplies Needed:

English notebook: a 2 in. three-ring binder
5-tab section dividers
loose-leaf notebook paper (to be replaced as it runs out)
pens or pencils, colored pen for checking