12th Grade Language Arts

Syllabus 2020-2021 School Year

(COVID 19 EDITION – some information will become relevant when we are physically back in the
classroom)

Teacher: Ms. Lis Garbezza 

E-mail: lgarbezza@materacademy.com 
Phone: (305) 828-1886 
Room: 56 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 
English IV will focus on building the following skills and understandings: 
• Literature Analysis: Identify main idea, plot & author’s purpose 
• Word and phrase building
• Comparisons/Contrast
• Cause & Effect
• Reference and Research 
• Effective essay writing
• Test preparation/strategies
• Develop critical thinking skills
• Reading comprehension
• Communication skills

CLASS FORMAT: 
Lecture is a small part of this class. We will do a variety of activities including: 
Class discussion
In class reading
In class writing
Dramatic presentations
Group activities
Peer review and activities
Learning games
Film 

The primary text will be a SpringBoard textbook which will be provided ONLINE by the school. Students
must be able to access their books and “actively” read and participate every class period.

STUDENT PORTFOLIO:
Student work will be maintained in a portfolio and filed in the classroom. This will be a tool for monitoring
and discussing progress over the year. 

SUPPLIES:
Notebook paper, composition notebook, folder or binder, a pen or a pencil, post-it notes, and highlighters
should to be brought to class every day. All class notes and handouts must be kept and organized in
students' binder/folder. Students are responsible for binging/accessing their SpringBoard text books every
class.

CLASS RULES: 
Students have received a handbook of conduct from the school and the county and will conduct
themselves accordingly, including behavior, attendance, uniform, cell phones etc. Students who fail to
comply with the terms of the student handbook and/or the rules established in class will be disciplined as
follows:
1) Receive a verbal warning.
2) Receive a detention and parents will be contacted (detention slip may serve as parental contact).
3) Meet with teacher and parents to establish a student contract to correct the behavior
4) If this still does not resolve the problem, the student will be reported to the school administration. 
Student conduct grades will drop with repeated behavior problems which will affect honor roll status.

HOMEWORK:
Homework will include completing activities that students were not able to complete in class, online
tests/activities, and completion of embedded assessments.

MAKE-UP WORK: 
Students are responsible for requesting their make-up work. Make-up work should be turned in within 3
days of the student’s absence. Students will receive a “Z” grade until their work is turned in. Grades for
make-up work can only be put into the gradebook once the absence is excused.

CELL PHONES:
Cell phones in this class must be turned off and placed in the appropriate holder. Cell phones that are not
turned into the teacher will be confiscated and will be available for pick up the following day at the main
office.

COMMUNICATION: 
I will allow plenty of time each class period for questions. If students are unclear or concerned about
something, all they have to do is ask. Additionally, we will meet on an individual basis in class to discuss
goals, questions, and progress. Please feel free to e-mail me. I like to communicate with and meet
parents. The school provides evenings when parents can visit the school, but other meetings can be
scheduled by emailing me or contacting the school. OFFICE HOURS VIA ZOOM ARE 2-3PM MONDAY
THROUGH FRIDAY FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND SUPPORT.

PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING: 

Any assignment that is plagiarized (even partially) will automatically receive a grade of F. Cheating on
tests or quizzes will result in automatic failure of the quiz/test. Copying homework from another student
will result in F for both students. Students will be seated in groups for classwork. Collaboration is
expected, but those students who do not contribute to the work will receive a much lower grade even if
their answers are the same as other members of the group.

GRADING SCALE:
A: 90 – 100%; B: 80 – 89%; C: 70 – 79%; D: 60 -69%; F: 0 – 59%; Z: not submitted

GRADING POLICY: 
Tests/Projects 30%; Quizzes/Formative Assessments 35%; Class work/Homework 35%

LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY:

Late work will not be accepted. However, emergencies do happen and I will decide on a case by case
basis if I will take late work- possibly for a much lower grade. It is not guaranteed that I will accept late
work. Students with Individual Learning Plans will be given the appropriate accommodations.

ATTENDANCE:
Students will be advised of Mater’s Attendance Policy on the first day of school.
Please print and sign the bottom of this page as proof that you have read and understood the policies and
procedures of your English class. This signed page should be turned in to Ms. Garbezza, FOR A GRADE,
no later than SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2020.

*****************************************************************************************************

 
STUDENT/PARENT CONTRACT

I have been given and explained the student contract for Ms. Garbezza's English Class. I have reviewed
these rules and procedures with my parent/guardian. I understand and agree to all of the terms.

_________________________________________________ Period___________ 
Student's Name (please print) 

_________________________________________________ 
Student's Signature

_________________________________________________ 
Parent/Guardian's Name (please print) 

_________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian's Signature