Course Syllabus

English 2A/B (P)

Instructor Name: Mrs. Gill
Phone Number: 937-2051 x2233
Class website: mrsgillenglish1.blogspot.com

Email Address: wgill@smjuhsd.org

Course Materials:
Prentice Hall Literature Platinum Level and other library books
English divider in binder and English notebook
White, college-ruled paper
Black or blue pen and pencil
Daily planner- optional, but highly recommended
Course Description:
This course focuses on meeting the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts
in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language. All coursework will require
students to practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking in formal and informal ways.
Students will also develop these skills through a variety of different tasks including individual
work, group work, formal presentations, reading literature, class discussions, and writing
assignments. Students will be required to complete work in and out of class.
Grading Policies:
Grades are assigned with the traditional scale. 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 7079% = C, 60-69% = D, and 59 or below = F. Grades are rounded up. Ex. A 89.5 is
considered an A Homework assignments, classwork, projects, written assignments, quizzes,
exams, and class participation will determine the final grade.
There will be very little extra credit. You should be focused on completing every
assignment and not relying on extra credit to save your grade.
Your grade starts at 50%, not 0%, so you are working on improving that grade
throughout the semester by turning in quality assignments.
I do not GIVE grades in this class, you EARN them. I hope you do your best to
earn a grade that you can be proud of.
Cheating Policy:
Any type of cheating is not tolerated. This includes cheating on tests or quizzes,
copying classwork, or plagiarism in papers.
Cheating will result in a zero on the assignment for anyone involved and a parent
phone call.
Classwork/Homework Policy:
The agenda for the week, including classwork and homework, is posted on the
blog and in the classroom on the designated whiteboard.
Homework and classwork must be completed on time for full credit. If a student
has an excused absence, he or she will be given the amount of time of the absence to turn
in missed work for full credit.

 When returning from an absence, students will check the blog or classroom
calendar to see what was done on the missing day. They need to ask peers first if they
have a question about the work, then ask the teacher after class or during lunch. Students
need to write absent on the top of their paper and turn in the make-up work to the
teacher.
Late work will be accepted until the last day of that grading period, but 30% of
the points will be automatically deducted.
Students need to be present for instructional time in order to be successful in
the course.
Classroom Guidelines/Rules:
Rules: Every student will be:
Respectful- Respect every person (teachers, peers, guests) in the classroom
through your actions and speech. No offensive language or put downs. Actively listen
when another person is speaking and do not interrupt them or have side conversations.
Hands must be raised to ask a question or make a comment.
Prepared- Come to class prepared to learn. Bring all necessary materials and
completed homework every day. Come to class on time.
Focused- Stay on task and focused during class. No cell phones or other
electronics are allowed in class unless required for an assignment. One warning will be
given and then the device will be taken for the rest of class. No food or drinks, besides
water, are allowed in the classroom. Do not distract other students that are on task.
Participating- Fully participate in class activities. Follow directions and be
ready and willing to share your ideas with partners and/or the class.
Consequences:
Warning: Student and teacher will have a conversation about the behavior and
make a plan to correct the behavior.
Lunch detention: The student will spend a whole appointed lunch period with
the teacher. Parent will be contacted about the behavior.
Referral: The student will be referred to administration for the behavior if it is a
habitual problem that is not being resolved.
School Rules:
For information regarding attendance/tardy policies and major discipline, please see the
Student Parent Handbook. The school tardy policy is strictly enforced in this class.

I have read, understand, and accept the goals and requirements for Mrs. Gills English 2AB class.
______________________________________________________________________________
Print student name
Signature
Date
_____________________________________________________________________________
Print parent name
Signature
Date
____________________________________
Parent E-mail Address

________________________________
Parent Telephone Number (daytime)

I frequently use e-mail to keep in touch with parents, including mass mailings of informational
materials given out in class. Please provide your e-mail address to be included. I will send out an
e-mail during the third week of school and if you do not receive this note please contact me via
e-mail to ensure that I have the correct e-mail address for you. Also, if you e-mail address
changes during the school year, please provide me with updated contact information.

**During this course, we will watch films to reinforce and/or illustrate ideas and themes from
our reading, and to create opportunities for critical writing. If you object to your student viewing
films with the following ratings: G, PG, PG-13, please indicate below your concerns or
objections. If you object to films shown in class, I will provide an alternative assignment for your
student to complete during the time that the class watches the film.