Lexington Senior High School

Welcome to English IV! 

This semester you will be exposed to different types of literature, from American Literature to British Literature. We will be reading multiple fiction and nonfiction short stories, poems, and novels. There is a heavy emphasis on writing in order to prepare you for a college or career setting. All lessons and activities in my classroom are firmly rooted in the Common Core State Standards, which can be viewed:  www.corestandards.org/ela-literacy/RL/11-12/

English IV Goal: Helping students explore advocacy in their own sphere of influence while also practicing the writing and analysis skills needed to be successful in post-secondary college and careers.

Guiding Questions:

How can I enact change within my sphere of influence?

How do I participate in productive advocacy?

How does identity inform inquiry?

Classroom Expectations

**Note**  Plagiarism and cheating will NOT be tolerated in this class.  Anyone student caught cheating on an assignment will earn a grade of zero for said assignment.  This policy can be seen under the Student Code of Conduct within the General Information category on our school's website. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, students copying one another’s work. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, students passing off someone else’s ideas as their own, either verbatim (word-for-word), paraphrasing, and/or organization.  Do NOT plagiarize information from an acquaintance’s work, the internet, or anywhere else. We are preparing students for higher education. Pagalism in a college or university can lead to suspension or expulsion. If we learn about the consequences and how to avoid plagiarism in high school, we can prevent that from ever happening.

Consequences:

• Student(s) will receive a zero on the assignment.

• A referral will be sent to the Administration.

• Parent/ Guardian Phone Calls

Snacks and drinks are allowed, but students are expected to clean up after themselves. If food or drinks are left behind the whole class will lose this privilege. Donations of bottled water for students to use are greatly appreciated.

Discipline Plan: I believe in treating each student fairly as he/she/they work within well-defined, reasonable limits.  I believe students prefer to know exactly what behaviors are acceptable in the classroom and are more comfortable with these limits.  An essential part of the plan includes rewarding good student behavior as well as providing consistent consequences for undesirable behavior.  The following rules and consequences are a guide that every student and parent should know well.

1. Follow all school rules as presented in the student handbook (cell phones, hats, tobacco products, dress code, inappropriate language, bullying, etc.).

2. Do not talk when someone else is speaking.

3. Be respectful.  Do not make rude/derogatory comments.

4. Stay in your seat unless given permission

5. Be prepared for class every day.

WHEN STUDENTS DO NOT BEHAVE AS EXPECTED, THEY WILL RECEIVE…

•     First Offense -- Warning

•       Second Offense -- phone call or e-mail to parent/guardian and minor infraction report to administrators

•          Third Offense -- discipline referral to administrators 

IN CASE OF SEVERELY DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR, THE STUDENT WILL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE OFFICE.  SPECIFIC OR FURTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTION WILL BE TAKEN WHEN NECESSARY.

 Class assignments: The student is responsible for checking the Absent Student Center in the classroom for any worksheets they missed. They can also check Canvas or ask the teacher for any missing notes or assignments.

 Quizzes and tests: The student must arrange a date and time to make up their quiz/test during lunch or after school.

Grading Policies: 

Major Tests/Projects/Essays 35% 

Quizzes 30% 

Classwork/ Participation/Other 25%

Homework 10%

10 Point Scale-  (A - 90-100; B - 80-89; C - 70-79; D - 60-69; F- 0-59)