Teacher: Mrs.

Flathers
colleen.flathers@central-csd.org
Room 317
Website: http://cflathers.weebly.com

Language Arts 10

He that loves a book will never want a faithful friend,

a wholesome counselor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter.
By study, by reading, by thinking, one may innocently
divert and pleasantly entertain himself,
as in all weathers, as in all fortunes.
~ Barrow ~

Course Description
Language Arts 10 is centered on Iowa Common Core Standards for 10th grade Language
Arts. You will be reading a variety of literary and informational texts, including genres
such as self-help, contemporary fiction, autobiography, science fiction, drama, poetry and
more. You will participate in the English departments reading program, Kick Back and
Read (KBR). Students will also spend some time studying different writing styles
including a research paper and the grammatical conventions necessary to formal writing
styles.

Required Materials
Laptop (needs to be charged)
KBR Book
Novel or Textbook
2 Composition Notebooks
Folder
Writing Tool
I will expect all students to have the required materials no later than August 31, 2015. If
this will be a problem please contact me right away. Students will be checked on a
regular basis to make sure that they have the correct materials and will be given points if
they have everything.

Grading
Formal Assessments:
(Tests, Final Papers, Projects, KBR pages Read)
Assignments:
(Assignments, No Red Ink, KBR Learn 2 Earn, Writers Notebook)
Class Participation:
(KBR daily score, supplies, small in class activities, Group Work)

Passes________________________________________________
Each student will be issued 4 bathroom and 4 locker passes per quarter. The student is
responsible for using these passes wisely. If they need to use the bathroom or go to their
locker during class a student is expected to give me a pass. Note, NO one will be allowed
to leave during the first few minutes of class or during KBR time. They are also expected
to stay in class when direct instruction is taking place. Unused passes will be collected
on the last day of the quarter for extra credit. Each unused pass is worth 5 extra credit
points for a total of 40 points per quarter. Students MAY NOT choose to take a detention
instead of turning in the pass so as to save them for extra credit. Students that have used
up their passes or do not have the pass on them, will be expected to serve a 15 minute
detention if they need to leave the classroom.

Course Schedule
The course schedule may change at any time to better fit the needs of the students.

1st Semester
We will cover 3 units during the first semester. The first unit will include a study of
informational literature along with some self-reflection. During this unit we will be
introducing and learning skills that will be necessary to do well during the rest of the
school year.

Additional Course Requirements

Kick Back and Read (KBR)
Students will read independently and complete a project on each book finished each
semester. Students will be given 20-30 minutes a day during class time to read. Students
are expected to have a KBR book with them. This is not time to go to the library to look
for a book. Students who do not have a KBR book with them, will be required to pick a
book from the teachers collection for that class period. Students will also receive a 0 for
KBR for the day since they came to class unprepared. If it looks like you are close to
finishing a book, than make arrangements to get another book before class starts.
Students will receive one of 2 grades for the day. They will either receive a 0 or a 5
based on how well they read. This is an easy way to earn points for class, use it.

No Red Ink: This in an online website that helps students work on their grammar.
Students will be given weekly assignments for this program. The assignments will be
available from Monday morning until the following Monday at midnight. Assignments
not completed during that time, will not be available to be completed. Most weekly
assignments are worth 100 points or a little bit more. This can end up being a substantial
part of your grade per quarter.

Elements of Language:
Course units will be supplemented with lessons from the Elements of Language textbook.
Students will improve spelling, grammar, usage and mechanics.

Workload:
Students will be expected to use class time wisely, but will probably still have some work
that needs to be completed outside of class on a weekly basis. You will be receiving a
portion of your grade based on how well you work in class.

Expectations
Attendance:
Students are expected to be in their seat, with their laptop open and ready to begin by the
time the bell rings. Students that are not in their seat when the bell rings will be counted
tardy. Three tardies will result in a classroom detention. Students will serve 15 minutes
with me for the first tardy detention and 30 minutes for each tardy detention after that. I
expect students to take care of locker needs and bathroom needs during passing time. Do
not stand in the classroom and talk until just before the bell rings, then ask to use the
bathroom. Using the bathroom or filling a water bottle will NOT be an acceptable
excuse for not being in class when the bell rings.

Behavior:
Students must be on time, prepared, respectful and positive. Students are held to all
expectations in the Central High School student handbook, which includes policies on
cell phones, food and drinks, and tardiness.

Computers:
Students are to come to class with their computers charged and ready to go. We will use
the computers every day for class. We will be using various programs such as No Red
Ink, Turnitin.com, Learn2Earn Students who do not have a computer ready to use during
class, will be expected to do the work on paper, but will then have to type it in later as I
will not accept handwritten work.
There will be a 3 strikes your out policy with computers in my class. If you are going to
a website that you shouldnt be on, or playing games etc., instead of working, I will put a
check mark by your name. The third time you get a checkmark I will notify Mr. Pickup
who will then sandbox you for the rest of the semester.

Work Habits:
Students will be given time during class to work on and usually complete their
assignments. Students that choose to not use their class time wisely will need to finish
the assignment at home. If a student is absent he or she will be expected to complete the
work at home, not using class time to complete the work. Students will need to read at
home in order to be ready for class discussion and work the next class period.

Late Work:
All work is expected to be turned in on time. If you are absent the day that an assignment
is due, turn it in, no later than start of first class period you are back for full credit. If you
are absent the day that an assignment is given or a test you will have the number of class
periods missed plus one for full credit. You will lose 10% of your grade if work is turned
in one class period late, and 20% of your grade if work is turned in two class periods late.
After the third class period late the work will only be worth 50%. After two weeks the
work will be marked turned in, but will keep the 0 for the grade.

Detentions:
In the unfortunate circumstance that I have to give you a detention you will have until the
next class period to serve that detention with me. If you fail to serve the detention by that
time, it will be doubled. Failure to serve both the first and second detention will result in
a referral to the office. The office automatically doubles the detentions so what started
off as one 15 or 30 minute detention is now 2 hours.

Course Contract
Please meet with your parents to discuss the requirements and projected schedule for this
course. Return this half-page of the syllabus to class no later than August 26, 2015 for
day 1 classes and August 27, 2015 for day 2 classes. I am looking forward to an exciting
year with you.
I have read and understand the course syllabus for Mrs. Flathers Language Arts 10 class.
I am confident in my ability to meet the requirements of the course. I will contact my
teacher if I have any questions or concerns.
Student Name (Print)_______________________________________________
Student Signature: ___________________________________Date:______________
I have read and understand the course syllabus for Mrs. Flathers Language Arts 10 class.
I am confident in my childs ability to meet the requirements of the course, and I will help
provide the support he or she needs to be successful. I will contact my childs teacher if I
have questions or concerns.

Parent Signature:____________________________________ Date:____________