Syllabus

Porter Gifted Magnet English 8

Ms. Shapiro

Room 35

 

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

I enthusiastically welcome you to our Gifted Magnet English 8 class, and I look forward to a positive learning experience for each student this year. To ensure a positive experience, I would like to acquaint you with the course objectives, content, requirements, and my standards. Please review this letter.

 

English 8 is a Common CORE standards- based courses that explores the study of English- focusing upon reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This course will expose the students to various components of literature, including novels, short stories, plays, essays, poetry, memoirs, articles and a variety of informational text. Students will develop cognitive and meta-cognitive skills, research skills, grammar skills, vocabulary skills, analytical/critical thinking skills, and the fundamentals of various styles of writing. Class instruction to achieve our academic goals will include a variety of methods that will actively involve the students. Some of these methods include: teacher directed lessons- with guided practices in class and class work to reinforce skills or concepts taught, use of technology and audio-visual materials- films, photos, presentations- to appeal to a variety of senses, journal writing, small group work, independent study, dramatic activities, class discussion, seminars, speeches, individual writing, quizzes, and tests.

 

I encourage parents/guardians to please subscribe to Schoology, and check daily to see if your child has assignments to work on or assignments that are due. There are no designated nights for homework; our class is a project-based class, and each project requires long-term planning and effort. Therefore, homework of a discrete nature is very rarely assigned. Instead, students will be given a timeline of when each component of the project for each unit is due and when the final product is due. Students must budget their time to meet the timeline requirements. Students are always given ample time in class to work on their assignments, to collaborate with others, and to seek help from me. I ask that parents/guardians please review the requirements and due dates for all assignments and projects, and please ensure that your child has completed the work thoroughly and correctly to submit on-time. Criteria charts and rubrics are given to the students for all major assignments. Additionally, all assignment due dates are delineated on Schoology.

 

Each assignment is worth a designated number of points; the progress report grades and the final grade will be determined by dividing the students’ acquired number of points into the total number of points possible. The points are converted into a percent, which translates into the students’ grades. I use a standard percent scale to determine grades (A=90%-100%, B= 80%-89%, C= 70%-79%, D= 60%-69%, F= 59% and below). Students are strongly urged to complete all assignments and put forth their best effort on all assignments. I do not give assessments or major projects/essays until we have reviewed and practiced the material in multiple and varied ways to ensure that all students are meaningfully grasping and understanding the material. However, there are still times that a student may struggle on an assessment or essay. While I do not offer extra credit, I do implement elements of mastery grading practices of encouraging students to revise and resubmit major assignments that they struggled with. Knowledge is our goal, and grades are not intended to be punitive, but rather, grades are intended to reflect students' understanding of the material and concepts. We will work together to help students to access, understand, and master our class objectives. Please note that prior to students submitting the final product of any essay/project, we work diligently and thoroughly to ensure that students are understanding the material. Therefore, the option for a student to resubmit a final draft if the student earns an unsatisfactory grade is limited to students who are genuinely struggling with the final product (as evidenced by a "Fail" or "D" grade for students who have exhibited thoughtful effort). This option is not for students who earned an unsatisfactory grade as a result of not doing the preliminary work necessary to understand the process. Further, students may not endlessly resubmit assignments. When we work on major essays/projects, I will review the procedures for one possible resubmission if a student worked diligently and yet still earned a "D" or "Fail."

 

Regular attendance, class promptness, and completion of assignments are essential for having a successful year. In the case of an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to contact me regarding any missing exams and assignments upon immediate return from the absence. Students who are absent will have the same amount of time to complete make-up assignments that the class was originally given to complete the assignments. In the case of a missed exam, students should contact me upon return from the absence to arrange a make-up time.

 

I cannot always know when a student is having academic difficulty or confusion unless s/he/they tell me. Therefore, students are encouraged to seek help when they need it! It is encouraged and expected that parents/guardians make an effort to be involved in their child’s progress in the class. Schoology and the progress reports/report cards are my method and the district’s method of communicating your child's grade with you. Progress reports/report cards will be sent home approximately every five weeks via the mail or your child. Please make sure you know the dates that the progress reports will be sent home.

 

Please keep in mind that Magnet English 8 is extremely rigorous and appropriately challenging. According to LAUSD's gifted magnet criteria, students in a gifted magnet are expected to engage in curriculum that is two years above grade level. The course is designed to prepare students for honors and/or advanced placement courses in high school, as well as to cultivate skills students will need in college. Thus, it is vital that students keep up with all assignments, put forth their ultimate effort into each assignment, and seek help from me when needed. Again, please check Schoology frequently, so you know when your child has assignments, projects, tests, etc. due.  If parents/guardians have any questions regarding the course and/or their child’s progress, please feel free to call the school at 818.920-2050 to arrange an appointment with me, or email me at [email protected] . I am looking forward to an exciting year with all students and a positive communicative relationship with parents/guardians.

 

1.) Your fully charged Chromebook and charger. Without this, you cannot participate in the majority of our daily class activities and lessons, which would render a "zero" on corresponding assignments. Note: When using your Chromebook in class, you should only visit sites that I direct you to visit, and you should only use the Chromebooks for activities/assignments related to our class while you are in our classroom. If you are using the Chromebook for activities unrelated to our class (e.g., doing work for another class, playing games, messaging friends, visiting sites unrelated to our class, etc.), you will earn a "U" in work habits. 

 

2.) A binder/notebook with sufficient lined paper. It may be a binder that you use for other classes, as well. You will use this for in-class notes and assignments. The only categories necessary are:

a.) Notes

b.) Vocabulary (we will access our vocab. on the Chromebook, but you will write your answers on paper. You will turn these notes in for credit prior to each vocabulary quiz).

c.) Handouts

Optional: Returned Work (you are required to keep all of your returned work; you may discard it at the end of the semester-- after 20-week grades have been submitted. You may either keep this in your binder or somewhere else that is convenient for you). You may add additional sections to help keep yourself organized, as you deem fit.

Note: Your textbook--MyPerspectives--should be kept in your locker or at home if our school is not issuing lockers. Since this is an advanced class, we read a variety of literature (which you can browse on the “preview into our literature” section on the website), including novels and short stories, which I will provide for you in class. I will let you know in advance when you need to bring your textbook to class.

 

Note: As a result of online learning during COVID, each student was issued a Chromebook; consequently, a significant portion of our work is now completed on the students' devices and submitted through Schoology, as opposed to physically handing in during class. You only need need to print out assignments that have not been submitted through Schoology, unless specifically instructed to print. The work that we submit through Schoology will remain on Schoology for students and parents/guardians to review. Additionally, the majority of our handouts will now be located on Schoology, as well. You can always print any handout that I have posted on Schoology to put in your binder if you prefer a tangible copy.

 

3.) Make sure to always bring a sufficient number of blue or black pens and pencils with you. 

 

4.) Always have your school agenda with you, so that you may write down the daily agenda, assignments, and reminders. No agenda pages should ever be torn out. I may write notes to parents/guardians in the agenda. Parents/guardians are expected to read their child's agenda regularly to remain updated on your child's work.

Note: If students are unable to purchase classroom supplies (pens, paper, folder, etc.) for personal reasons, please let me know privately, and the school will provide the necessary materials. 

 

5.) Always have a reading book or appropriate magazine with you to engage in if you finish an assignment much earlier than the rest of the class. Generally, this does not happen, as I pace our activities reasonably, but inevitably, some students finish before others. If you are completely finished with an assignment or test for our class, and there is nothing else that needs to be worked on for our class at the time, you may also do work for another class while you are waiting for the rest of the class to finish. You should never do work for another class if there is work that needs to be done for our class.

 

1. We will all work to create and maintain a positive classroom environment by complying with these guidelines:

A. Take care of personal business and the restroom before or after class.

B. LAUSD has a cell phone ban policy during the school day. Thus, upon entering class, students will place their cell phones in the cell phone holder according to the number that corresponds to their number in the roll book. Students will pick up their phones at the end of class before the bell rings. I will not dismiss the class until everyone has his/her/their correct phone. Additionally, earbuds/earphones/headphones and all unauthorized electronic devices need to be stored away during class; electronics that are being used during class without my permission will be confiscated and sent to the dean.

C. Be seated in your seat by the time the bell begins to ring. Failure to be in your seat and on-task when the bell rings will result in a tardy.

D.  After sitting down in your seat, look at the "materials needed" section on the board to identify the materials that you will need for that day, and have the materials out and ready by the time the bell rings. Be ready and prepared to begin working on the opening activity before or upon the sound of the bell. If I have to remind you to be on task three or more times in a 5-week grading period, you will earn a "U" in work habits.

E. Listen attentively to instruction, and listen openly to one another in class or group discussion.

F. Wait until someone is finished speaking before responding; respond/speak to others in a non-judgmental/non-critical way. Keep your hands off of other class members.

G. Avoid all behavior that may distract the teacher or other class members. 

H. Backpacks, purses, and bags should not remain in the students' laps or on students' desks during class. Backpacks should be strapped across the back of the chair.

I. If a student needs to leave class during class time: ask the teacher for permission, fill out the hall pass

log--indicating your destination and the time you left, obtain the required Porter vest. You must wear the vest with you when you are out of the classroom; do not simply hold it. You may not take your backpack, purse, cell phone/any device with you when you leave class (unless you are being summoned out and asked to bring a specific item). When you return to class, write your return time on the hall pass log. You are responsible for obtaining the class material/information that you missed while you were gone.

J. Students should not tend to personal grooming (applying makeup, brushing hair, etc.) during class. 

K. Eating food and chewing gum should not be done during class. If a student has food insecurity at home and is suffering from hunger during class, please see me privately, so that we can assure that you are eating school provided food before school and during nutrition and lunch. Water is acceptable to drink during class.

L. Plagiarism or cheating on an exam, essay, or any class/homework is unacceptable, intolerable, and unethical. If you are caught cheating, you will receive a "zero" for that assignment and a “U” in work habits on the following progress report. Using AI to generate your work is plagiarism, and you will earn a "zero" for that assignment. Providing answers to another student will constitute as cheating for both students.

 

 2.) Being responsible for an absence and/or tardy:

A. If you are tardy, you must furnish me with a valid tardy slip from the teacher or office that detained you upon entering class.

B. If you have three unexcused tardies within a five-week grading period, you will receive a “U” in work habits and no higher than an “S” in cooperation on your progress report/report card. Additionally, excessive

tardies and absences may affect your academic grade, as you will be missing valuable class lessons.

C. When you return from an absence, please make sure to ask me at the end of the period if you need to make up any assignment. Refer to the "syllabus supplement" for procedures regarding make-up work.

D. If you know ahead of time that you are going to be absent for an extended amount of time, or on the date of an exam, please see me about arrangements for making up work.

 

Note: I can always be reached via email if you are absent and have questions about your missed work, or any time that you are confused about an assignment and need help. My parent/guardian/student email address is: [email protected]

 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead