Beaumont High School—English 10 Honors
2012-2013 Syllabus
Mrs. Simmons—D10

Contact Number: (951) 845-3171   ext #5075                      
Email: ssimmons@beaumontusd.k12.ca.us (fastest method of contact!)
Website: http://www.quia.com/profiles/ssimmons347 

Course Overview:   Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year! 

English is one of the most significant areas that students will study while here at Beaumont High School. The beauty of great literature, of all genres (poetry, prose, non-fiction), is that it presents themes, conflicts, and situations that are universal across culture, time, and space. It is our own experiences in life’s joys and sorrows that shape our world view, our prejudices, our passion for life, and gives us insight into ourselves. Good literature gives us an opportunity to explore the human drama that we all partake in as a natural part of life. 

As a result, the emphasis of this class will be to read and respond to literature. We will be exploring novels, poems, short stories, and non-fiction works. Lessons in grammar, vocabulary, and writing style will be practiced daily, and will be incorporated into the study of our literature. Response and reflection is key in gaining critical thinking and communication skills. Be prepared to write, read and participate in class discussions every day. This class is designed to prepare you for AP English 11 and 12, college prep courses offered on our BHS campus and for further college level courses. Expect to work hard and be challenged often!

Required Materials:	You will need to have the following EVERY DAY, no exceptions or excuses! 

•	Textbook, grammar book, interactive reader, other reading materials
•	College-ruled paper (loose-leaf)	
•	Class notebook: 1½ –2 inch 3 ringed binder with dividers (for this class only—may not be shared with other subjects)
•	Blue or black ink pens, pencils
•	Highlighters
•	Book cover (paper ones can be obtained in the library for free, made from grocery bags OR lycra ones purchased from Wal-Mart, etc.)
•	Flash Drive-for saving and transferring documents 
•	Other materials as needed for projects

Details on Class Notebook:
Each student must have their own notebook specifically designed for this class. The following sections must be included in the notebook:
1.	Journals/Daily Agenda
2.	Vocabulary and Notes
3.	Daily Work
4.	Misc Handouts/Project Rubrics/Syllabus, etc. 
5.	Returned assignments (keep all returned work until the end of the semester…this will be checked for a grade at the end of the quarter)
***There will be random notebook checks throughout the quarter. Your notebook must be organized, in order and have all necessary items/components. Organization is the KEY to success in this class so your notebook check is WORTH major POINTS!***

Classroom Rules and Procedures:
1.	Follow all teacher instructions.
2.	Be respectful to yourself, each other, and your teacher (substitutes and aides are ALSO teachers. Remember this!).
3.	Use appropriate language at ALL times when you walk into the classroom. This is a workplace, not a locker room or “hang out”. Speak like you are at a job. 
4.	Be on time, in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings.
5.	Bring all materials to class (Materials not in class is not an excuse for incomplete assignments). It is not another students responsibility to provide you with materials and it is not Mrs. Simmons’ either).
6.  	No gum, food or drinks allowed in class (bottled water is ok). 
7.  	Electronics must be turned off at all times (I will confiscate any that I see).
8.   	No hats, beanies, hoods, in class. Again, this is a workplace not your “hang out”. 
9.	Follow all school rules—be a decent human being and everyone should get along just fine! 

Disciplinary Plan: Please remember the teacher reserves the right to skip any of these steps or use them in any order when the circumstances/behavior require it. 
1.	Warning
2.	Student/Teacher conference, loss of participation points
3.	Parent/Teacher conference, detention
4.	Referral
5. 	Subsequent offenses beyond this will be dealt on a case-by-case basis

BHS English/ELL Department Grading Policy

This grading policy has been adopted by the BHS English/ELL Department and approved by the administration. All teachers in the department will enforce it.

Grading Scale:

A	92.5 and above
A-	89.5 – 92.4
B+	87.5 – 89.4
B 	82.5 – 87.4
B- 	79.5 – 82.4
C+	77.5 – 79.4
C 	72.5 – 77.4
C-	69.5 – 72.4
D+	67.5 – 69.4
D	62.5 – 67.4
D- 	59.5 – 62.4
F	59.4 and below

Grades are based on overall percentages accumulated throughout the semester, not the average of the two quarter grades. 

Credits:
Per school policy, students who earn a D- or better will receive five credits per semester. Those who earn an F will receive no credits. Students who receive a grade of C- or above in an AP class will receive an extra grade point.

Categories:
•	Daily assignments – homework, classroom work:			30%
•	Major assignments – essays, reports, projects:			30%
•	Quizzes, tests, exams:						20%
•	Benchmark exams:						10%
•	Participation (classroom discussions, activities, preparedness, 
	cooperation):					      	10%

Late work:
Per the English Department Policy, assignments are due at the beginning of the period or when collected.  Assignments turned in late will receive partial credit as follows:
•	Daily assignments – 50% of earned credit for up to a maximum of five school days late, no credit for assignments more than five school days late.
•	Major assignments – 90% of earned credit for work submitted one school day late, 50% of earned credit for work turned in two to five school days late, no credit for assignments more than five school days late.
•	No late work will be accepted for credit after the last school day of the semester.
•	Per the student handbook, students who miss class for scheduled school activities (e.g., sports, field trips) must meet the same assignment deadlines as other students. This means it is your responsibility to talk to me before you miss class for a meet, game, ASB function, etc. If you simply do not show up to class and do not bring your assignments to me personally or to my box then applicable work/assignments, etc. is considered late. 
•	No late work will be accepted when an absence has not been cleared by the office (parent phone call or note has to clear this in the event of any absence). 

Make-up work:
•	Make-up work for a cleared absence of up to five school days, including tests, receives full credit for up to five school days after a student’s return to class.
•	When a student has a cleared absence longer than five school days, she/he is allowed one school day per day of absence to make up work for full credit. 
•	Make-up work receives no credit until an absence is cleared with the attendance office.
•	Assignments missed because of truancy (attendance code R) may not be made up for credit.
	
Remember: Students who know that they must be absent for periods longer than five school days are encouraged to contact the attendance office in advance to request independent study.

Cheating:
Cheating or copying will not be tolerated, period. All students must always do their own work. Students involved in cheating on assignments or exams will receive no credit for assignments or exams on which cheating has occurred. Research papers and some other major essays and reports will be submitted to www.turnitin.com to be checked for plagiarism. When www.turnitin.com indicates that a student has plagiarized an assignment, it will receive reduced credit or no credit. This will be handled on a case by case basis. 

Extra credit:
Students are given ample opportunities for achieving success through completion of regular assignments, tests, and   other activities. Students may request extra credit work only when all regular work has been completed in a timely manner.

Please complete this page and return to Mrs. Simmons. I encourage you to contact me anytime with your questions or concerns via phone or email. 

SIGNATURE FORM…please detach and return! Thanks. 
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Please check all that apply:
____   I have read through this syllabus and understand the grading policies of the BHS English department.
____   I do NOT have a computer at home, but I know that computer access is available from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the school library. 
____   I consent to leave my student's English textbook in class and will provide a book cover labeled with the appropriate name and period. Since students will be using textbooks regularly, I understand that students who choose to leave their books in class do so at their own risk and accept full responsibility (financial) for any damage, defacement, or loss of property. I understand that students must take their books home to complete homework assignments or unfinished class work. I acknowledge that Mrs. Simmons accepts no responsibility for textbooks left in her classroom. Students without a book (for any reason) will lose daily participation points.
_____   Mrs. Simmons may contact me at the following email (if applicable): 	_______________________

________________________			____________________________
Parent/guardian Signature					Student Signature
_________________________			____________________________
Parent/guardian Name	 (print)				Student Name (print)

Questions/Comments? (Jot ‘em down below!)