Syllabus and Course Requirements for English 1 (Hard Copy)

Scripps Ranch High School
A National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
California Distinguished High School
Golden Bell Award Recipient

Instructor: Susan Forest-Rode
E-mail: sforest-rode@sandi.net
Work phone 858-621-9020 X-3024

Course Description: Please review attached ninth grade outcomes and expectations for English Language Arts at SRHS.

Grading policy: (See Grading policy by click here) Students will receive points for written work, homework, and tests. Grades throughout the semester are cumulative. Absences and tardiness may affect academic grade as well as citizenship grade.

Assessments: Students will be assessed on reading, writing, and other language arts skills such as vocabulary and grammar. These assessments may be written or oral. Assessments may include essays, written logs, poetry, book reports, oral reading, drama, presentations, group discussions, and group projects; as well as tests and quizzes.

Classroom environment: I believe in keeping a healthy, clean, student friendly classroom. Therefore, no food of any kind or any beverages, except water, will be allowed in the classroom. This includes gum and candy. For obvious health reasons spitting in class or around the outside area is strictly forbidden and will result in detention and clean up detail. Students are expected to leave the class in the same clean and neat condition as they found it. Courtesy and respect will be shown to all persons. Foul language, obscenities, teasing, confrontational and disrespectful behavior, vandalism, and taking personal property of others without permission will not be permitted.

Classroom Policies and Rules: Please review my policy sheet. My standards for behavior align with the school’s behavior codes.
*A word about electronic devices: In my classroom all such items must be turned off and put away where I do not see them or hear them. They do not serve a purpose toward the type of learning we do in freshman English. It is best if toys such as ipods® and Gameboys® are left at home.

Citizenship: All students begin with an ‘S’, satisfactory, in my class. In order to maintain a satisfactory citizenship grade, students must show respect and courtesy to all persons in class. To achieve a higher grade students must go above and beyond the expected student behavior. Citizenship grades are cumulative throughout the semester. In order to get and maintain a ‘G’ or an ‘E’ grade students must willingly participate in class discussions, volunteer answers, and participate when appropriate in a group. Tardiness and truancy will affect citizenship grades. Please see the student requirement sheet for more details.

Communication: It is best if you wish to contact me to do so via e-mail, as I am not at school every day. Please e-mail me at sforestrode@sandi.net. I should reply to you within a day. If you do need to contact me by phone my number is 858-621-9020 X3024. Please be aware that I turn my phone off during class time and that I check my voice mail about once a week. If you need to reach me right away please call the office and leave a message for me.

Web Site: I currently have a web page that can be accessed through the school’s web site. Go to the school’s web site www.srhs.sandi.net. Under the heading Directories select Staff (left sidebar). Scroll down to Forest-Rode, Susan and click on WEB. Homework will be posted on my web page as well as current information regarding the work we are doing in class.

Homework and other assignments: Students are expected to do outside class reading for a minimum of 30 minutes per day, including weekends. Students will also have vocabulary words to study. Students will be given a separate handout regarding the vocabulary program. They will be tested on these words approximately every other week. For the first six weeks students will do all their compositions in class. Student homework will be posted in class and on my web page.

Scripps Ranch High School maintains a high standard of quality work. Cheating is not permitted. Students will sign a schoolwide honesty policy. Students caught cheating will receive a zero on the assignment and may NOT make it up.

Late Work will not be accepted. Students may make up tests or homework with an excused absence only and within a reasonable time frame. If a student is absent on the day of a quiz or a test they will take it after school on the day they return or take a zero. Reports, essays, and other written work must be turned in on the due date – no exceptions. Students who miss class on the due date must turn their work in prior or get it to me no later than 3 p.m. that day. Students are responsible for finding out what they missed in class and to make sure they make up their assignments.

Tardiness: Students are expected to be in their seat and ready to work or already working when the bell rings. Students outside class or standing in class will be considered tardy. A student arriving after 30 minutes is considered truant unless he/she has an excuse slip.

1st tardy = warning
2nd tardy = 30 minutes after school on the day of the tardy
3rd tardy = 30 minutes, phone call home
4th tardy = phone call home, referral and administrative detention or Saturday school.

Students that do not show up for detention on the day that it is assigned will have a parent contact and a referral, which may result in an extended detention or Saturday school.

Texts: Students should have a copy of their literature book, The Language of Literature for 9th Grade and bring it to class every day unless told otherwise by me. The Language Network is a companion text dealing with writing skills and grammar. We will use an in-class set. Students must have an independent reading book of their choice brought to every class. We will also read several novels as a class.

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