Mission Statement

Students engage in challenging tasks in which they draw upon personal strengths and diverse experiences, create
meaningful connections, and develop innovative problem-solving skills. With the confidence and character gained from
these experiences, students pursue their individual passions and participate responsibly and effectively in their

Course Name: Freshman English

Teacher Name: Jennifer Love

Contact Information: Office Email: jlove@d127.org Office Phone Number: 847-986-3610

Office Location: 2200 (English Office) Voicemail Number: 5533
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Office Hours: 4th and 8th Hours
Before and After School in 2200

Materials Needed: three-ring binder

loose-leaf notebook paper
highlighters
academic planner
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Texts: Anthem or Gathering Blue (Summer Reading Assignment)
Oedipus
This Boy’s Life
The Alchemist
To Kill a Mockingbird
Romeo and Juliet
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Course Description: This two-semester, one-credit course is designed to give students an overall
view of composition and speech skills and an introduction to literary genres. As such, it establishes a
foundation in writing styles, literary elements, and verbal skills. This course concentrates on developing
strong writing skills.

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Writing:

The focus of the freshmen year is developing analytical skills, with a focus on the traditional 5-
paragraph essay format. We also introduce elements of narrative, descriptive, persuasive and
expository writing.

Grammar:

We will work on sentence completeness and structure, punctuation, parts of speech and other
grammatical issues as part of our daily lessons.

Vocabulary:

We will examine new vocabulary found in the literature we read throughout the school year. Students
will also be responsible for learning 5 new words a week; these words will be presented and defined in
class.

Speech:

This class will focus on developing skills for effective participation in small and large group discussions
as well as developing skills needed for public speaking.

Critical Thinking:

Students will examine their organizational skills, their methods of learning, and the effects of
propaganda on themselves, literary characters, and society.

Research:

Students will be using research (books, Internet, interviews, etc.) for various assignments throughout
their freshman year, with an emphasis on evaluating resource materials and learning skills needed for
effectively organizing the researched material.

Cheating/Plagiarism Policy: While you can check your handbook for the penalties for cheating/plagiarism, I want
to make sure that you clearly understand what I consider to be examples of these offenses so that you can keep yourself
out of trouble. We are here to help you learn, and you cannot do that unless you do the work yourself. While some
teachers may refer to cheating and plagiarism as synonyms, I like to break them down into two categories:
Cheating on Classroom Work:

1. Working on an assignment together when not directed to do so. If I give each of you an assignment,
it is to be understood that I want each of you to complete the assignment on your own. This is the only
way for me to assess if you understand the material.

2. Copying another student’s homework. This is very similar to the above offense, but in this case, one
student has done the work and allows another student to copy it. Both students will be held responsible
for this type of cheating!

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 3. Cheating on tests and quizzes. This can involve using a “cheat sheet”, looking at someone else’s
paper during a test, etc.

Plagiarism:

1. Using outside sources for analytical homework/essays. If I ask you to analyze a text we are
studying, I want your own analysis, not one from Cliff Notes, Spark Notes, or any other on-line site that
has commentary on the book.

2. Using someone else’s paper.

3. All examples given in the GCHS Research Manual, which include such things as using quoted or
paraphrased material without citing the sources within the paper and in the works cited page.

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Grading Scale:
Percentage Grade Percentage Grade

98 – 100% A+ 78 – 79% C+

93 – 97% A 73 – 77% C

90 – 92% A- 70 – 72% C-

88 – 89% B+ 68 – 69% D+

83 – 87% B 63 – 67% D

80 – 82% B- 60 – 62% D-

0 – 59% F

Weights:
35% Essays, major projects, papers

20% Tests/quizzes

20% Other assignments (homework, vocabulary, in-class journals,

minor projects/group work)

5% Participation

20% Final exam

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