________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Check assignments at the bottom of this page or the calendar connected with my website for assignments and other info.

TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
Please be aware that schedule changes may alter the overall layout of this schedule.

Planning period: 2nd
Email address: dclifton@wcs.k12.va.us
Attitude and effort are essential! Come to class prepared to learn and participate. My class is a learning environment. I am not the only teacher in the class. We learn from each other. I look forward to learning many new things from you.

All work is expected on time unless there is a reasonable excuse that dictates more time be allowed. A perfect way to manage a good grade from class is to always be on time with assignments (and yourself) and to participate in class. This is the way to my heart.

If you find yourself in trouble, academically or otherwise, please come see me sooner rather than later so we can work together to find a way to get you back on track. The longer you wait, the harder it is to climb back out of the hole. We've all been there some time or another. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I will make time to see you out of class.


Rules and Expectations:
REPECT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN MY CLASS.
If you respect your classmates, yourself, and me, we will have a wonderful year.

Be on time for everything (assignments, class, responses). We only have a minimal amount of time together. You are to be seated when the bell begins to ring, not dashing for your seat as the bell's ring echoes throughout the school. This is disruptive and dangerous. Be aware that class will not be stopped to catch you up for being tardy to class. Three tardies will result in a day of detention.

Class does not dismiss with the bell but with the instructor. Please remain seated, and wait to be excused. Time you take for chit-chatting during class will be time that I regain after the bell rings at the end of class.

Have all materials (everyday). This includes: textbooks, paper, pens or pencils, and homework (whether it be assigned reading or written work).

Be prepared for class discussions. It is difficult to have a discussion if we are not knowledgeable of the subject.

Work is expected to be your own. I have a ZERO tolerance for cheating on tests, copying of homework, plagiarism, etc. A zero will be given for all work that falls under any of these headings. I know that you’re an intelligent student. I look forward to seeing only your best in my class. I will trust your integrity until I have reason to question. Don’t let me down, but more importantly, don’t let yourself down.

Mistakes are okay in my class. We learn from them and go on. Do not be afraid to ask me questions or get involved in class discussions. You will learn more from the experience and have a much better time while doing so.

Course Policies: Attendance / Late Work / Participation:

Attendance is mandatory for all class sessions. Most of this class revolves around discussion and in-class creative processes. Our work together, as whole class or in small groups, is almost impossible to make-up. Work missed from an absence is YOUR responsibility, not mine. In the event of an absence, due to an illness or emergency, you will have three days to complete all your missed assignments. Numerous days missed will require you working out a schedule for work to be completed for grading. Again, this is your responsibility. Assignments will be posted on my webpage only for work that was intended for homework. You will be required to get with me or a classmate, upon your return, to see what information you missed from class. You can also jot me an email and let me know that you will not be in class for the day. I will be happy to email your assignments to you. As a high school student, you need to accept more responsibilities. I will be more than happy to help you out, if you come to me.

Work is expected at the beginning of the assigned day. You will not be allowed to take class time trying to complete an assignment that was due that day. Ten points will be deducted each day that an assignment is late or past the make-up time frame in the event of an absence. The research project and all of its components follow a different grade scale. I will inform you of this when we get to that point of instruction. If you know of an impending situation that will cause your absence, come to me before. If you have a project or group-led presentation due on a day that you are going to be absent, you are responsible for getting the needed information to your group or instructor by that date.

Homework is due on the requested date. If you were not absent for an assignment, you are expected to turn in the work on that date. Responsibility is a major life attribute. To receive credit for work, turn it in on time. Late work is a major pet peeve of mine.

Participation in class is imperative. I want to hear your perspective and marvel in your intelligence. Do the work and be prepared so you can wow the rest of the class.

Grading:

It is important that you exhibit a high level of success within your English class. I endeavor to help you leave my class having a deeper knowledge of literature and a heightened awareness of the importance of writing. I don't expect perfection. Your teacher is far from that level. I will look for persistence towards that perfection. With that said, I know you focus on the grade. A number of your assignments will not be graded but will be reviewed by your instructor and returned with comments. I like to see your response or perspective to some issues.

However, you will have ample opportunity to accumulate numerous grades throughout each grading period. These might include homework, class work, group or individual presentations, projects, essays, quizzes, and tests. Most assignments are graded on a straight scale while writing assignments are usually graded on a rubric. Remember, all work must be turned in on time for full credit. Essays and tests are counted twice. Quizzes and presentations are counted one and a half. Other work is counted once.

Quizzes and Tests: I reserve Fridays for assessment. This allows students (and parents) to always be aware of when a quiz or test is scheduled. Barring natural disasters, school conflicts, or a senior moment on the part of the instructor, you will have a quiz on Friday for that week's material. At the end of units, the test will usually be given on the following Friday. Be forewarned: Study each week for those Friday quizzes and tests! The only exception to this is a pop-quiz that may be given at the drop of a hat! These allow for fantastic grades to those students keeping up with the material. Be one of those students.

One last note on grades and class performance: Sooner rather than later is the time to come to me if you are having difficulties. Don’t wait until the last week of the grading period to seek me out (or worse—not seeking me out at all). I was a mom before I was a teacher; I know that things happen. However, I also usually know when the wool trying to be pulled over my eyes. Your success is my goal for this year. Let me know if you need help.

To help our school year sail smoothly, I wanted to offer you some of my appreciations and peeves.
My pet peeves: whining, dishonesty, tardies, late assignments, inappropriate comments or behavior, and not coming to me with your problems.

My pet appreciations: hard work, open-mindedness, good manners, coming to me with your problems, and honesty.

I hope this will be a terrific year for you in English. I do look forward to working with you.

Remember: You are the captain of your own ship. Sail towards all good things.

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Class Description:

-- The objectives for the twelfth grade English course include the four components of the Virginia SOL's. In oral language the focus is on developing speaking skills in preparation for a formal oral presentation. In reading and literature the focus is on reading and critiquing poetry and drama from various cultures, analyzing various forms of British literature from different chronological eras, and reading a variety of informational and technical texts. In writing the primary focus is on developing expository and technical writing which is edited to conform to accepted standards of English usage. In research, students will write a research paper using a recognized method of documentation.

Resources used to achieve the objectives for English 12 include textbooks, sets of supplementary novels, dictionaries, library resources, audiovisual aids, computer resources, guest speakers, and supplementary texts.

-- Methods of assessment include written tests, essays, exams, projects, group work, homework, participation in class discussions, and evaluation of oral presentations by teacher and peers.

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SOL Objectives that will be covered over the course of the year:

12.1 The student will make a 5 to 10 minute formal oral presentation
12.2 The student will evaluate formal presentations
12.3 The student will read and analyze the development of British literature and literature of other cultures.
12.4 The student will read and analyze a variety of informational materials, including electronic resources.
12.5 The student will read and critique a variety of poetry.
12.6 The student will read and critique dramatic selections from a variety of authors.
12.7 The student will develop expository and informational writings.
12.8 The student will write documented research papers.

2008-2009 Class Year will follow below. This will be added to as the year evolves.

Weekly Learning Objectives:

Weekly activities will be posted on the calendar on this page. Please revert to that area for assignments for the week. These will be posted only when an activity is considered homework. The student is responsible for getting with a classmate to acquire any notes or discussion information from the missed class.

BE SURE TO CHECK CALENDAR FOR PERTINENT ASSIGNMENTS AND NOTICES.

The following is a schedule of work for the year.

Week 30: Novel Study/ vocab quiz 3-5 Tuesday
Week 29: Novel Study/ vocab quiz 1 and 2 on Friday
Week 28: Wordsworth/ Quiz on Friday
Week 27: Blake and nonfiction selections/ Quiz on Friday
Week 26: Romantics and Defoe/ Quiz on the Romantics Friday
Week 25: Elements of Argument/ Argumentative essay
Week 24: Don Quixote and Nonfiction selections/ Quiz Friday
Week 23: Candide/ Quiz Friday
Week 22: Rape of the Lock/ Quiz Friday
Week 21: Notes on Restoration/ A Modest Proposal/ Quiz Friday on both
Week 20: Nonfiction selections of Renaissance/ Quiz Friday
Week 19: Research Papers
Week 18: Complete Macbeth and test
Week 17: Macbeth/ Shakespeare
Week 16: Macbeth/ Shakespeare
Week 15: Begin Macbeth
Week 14: Research heritage/ create coat of arms project
Week 13: Intro to Renaissance/ notes
Week 12: Movie-Pygmalion; Test
Week 11: Grammar; Pygmalion
Week 10: Pygmalion; Halloween Scavenger Hunt
Week 9: Begin Pygmalion; Pilgrimage Presentations
Week 8: Grammar; "Right-Mind, Wrong-Mind" and "Sinbad"
Week 7: Pilgrim Tales-- quiz on Friday on the two
Week 6: Ballads and Chaucer -- quiz on Friday on the two
Week 5: Middle Ages-- quiz on Friday on the time period
Week 4: Gilgamesh and quiz on Friday; peer review and final copy of essay
Week 3: Beowulf cont. and quiz on Friday; complete outlines and rough drafts
Week 2: Intro. of British literature/ Powerpoint/ Read introduction in text/ BEOWULF prt. 1 and 2
Week 1: Intro. to course and procedures/ syllabus quiz
Check calendar for details.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/writing/index.asp?topic=Research

This site is an excellent resource for writing research projects!