Ms.

Hendricks

Senior English

2015

Welcome to Ms. Hendrickss Senior English Class!

Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It
enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and
provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives
have already become
-C.S. Lewis
Greetings Students!
Welcome to 12th grade English. My name is Ms. Hendricks and I look forward to getting
to know each of you as well as see what kinds of great and unique insights and personalities you
have to contribute to our classroom.
It is important to me that the classroom is like a home away from home. With that being
said, it is important that all of us work collaboratively together to nurture a safe and welcoming
classroom environment. Respect for one another as well as the school is essential for success.
Communication is another key. Therefore, if you have any concerns or questions regarding the
class feel free to communicate with them so we can find a way to ensure your academic and
lifes success.
We will be going over quite a bit of exciting new literature and other aspects of English
that is all fundamental in developing a sense of identity and preparing you all for the adult world
ahead. We have a diverse list of classroom experiences to trek through together such as Socratic
seminars, discussions, essay writing, and a mix of group and independent projects.
I am excited to be a part of this particularly important stage of your lives and look
forward to guiding and watching what directions you all go to reach your full potential.

Contact Information:
Email:

sara.hen1210@gmail.com

Will respond promptly within

24 excluding weekends.

Classroom:
Office Hours:

Room 12B
Mondays, Wednesdays: 2:15-

Other days by appointment at

Tutoring, Make-up

3:15PM

instructors discretion

quizzes/test,

Daily School Schedule for 2015-2016:

School in session from 7:45am 2:15pm
Period 1: 7:45 8:35
Period 2: 8:39 9:29
Period 3: 9:33 10:23
Lunch: 10:25 11:50
Period 4: 11:54 12:44
Period 5: 12:48 1:38
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Ms. Hendricks

Senior English

2015

Period 6: 1:42 2:32

Course Description: This year we will be covering early British Literature. Together we will
delve into the early periods of British Literature and analyze the various literary eras these works
were published during as well as read about topics including history, chivalry, politics, and myth.
We will cover plays and sonnets by Shakespeare and read excerpts from Chaucers Canterbury
Tales amongst other works! While reading and forming our own understanding and opinions of
each piece we will also be honing our expository writing skills as well as delve into some
creative writing.
Students will be able to collaborate and share ideas through group work as well as receive
support and an outside perspective from their peers through writing workshops during our essay
units.

Students will be able to make inferences from a text and justify these inferences by citing
information within a text.
Students will be able to explain their knowledge of a reading by presenting their
information to their peers.
Students will be able to compose a literary analysis by writing it in five paragraph essay
format.

Important Events:
1. This year, students are expected to complete mini-essays and/or projects for each unit,
read the assigned material, participate in class discussions, and take notes during lectures
and presentations.
3. Students will also complete two (2) individual projects and must complete one of each
A Research Paper that is a minimum of four (4) pages
An oral presentation (via PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.) that must be 5-7 minutes in
length.
4. Finally, at the end of each semester students will take a cumulative exam to demonstrate
their mastery of the content. This exam will include multiple choice, short answer, and
essay answers.

Homework Policy: All homework must be turned in at the beginning of class on its due date.
Homework must be placed in the upper right corner of the students desk and ready for collection
by the teacher during bell work time.
Assigned readings are also expected to be done prior to class in order to ensure that students can
do well on the daily quizzes and participate in class discussion.

Late Work Policy: Homework will be accepted one day past its due date with a deduction of
10% off the earned grade. Homework past one day late will not be accepted. Students are
responsible for turning their late assignments in the late work bin by the teachers desk.

Make Up Work/Tests: If a student is absent on the day an assignment is assigned to the

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Ms. Hendricks

Senior English

2015

class the student will have one extra day upon their return to complete and turn in the assignment
to the instructor.
Students that are absent the day an assignment is due are responsible for turning in the
assignment as soon as they return to class.
Large projects are still due regardless of student absence, so students are encouraged to contact
the teacher when they know they will be absent ahead of time. If an absent is unexpected,
uncontrollable, or due to illness, e-mail the instructor the project by 8:00 AM on the day it is due
to qualify for full credit.
Make-up tests can be made up during student lunch hours or after school during the instructors
contract office hours within one week (7 school days) of the missed test day. Students are
responsible for scheduling when they will take their make-up test.

Classroom Rules:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Only one person talks at a time.

Students must raise their hands and wait to be called upon before sharing.
Students will remain in their assigned seats unless otherwise permitted by instructor
Students will use appropriate language at all times in the classroom.
Only the teacher dismisses the class.
Consequences:
First offense - Warning/Conference (with student)
Second offense - Call home and documentation of incident recorded.
Third offense - Detention
Fourth offense - Administrative Referral
**Instructor reserves the right to skip steps based upon the severity of the violation**

Classroom Procedures:

Beginning Class/Bell work Policy (by the time the tardy bell rings)
a. Students should all be in their seats and prepared to work quietly.
b. Homework should be placed in the upper left corner of their desks ready for
collection.
c. Students should be working on the opening activity.
d. When finished, students should be quietly waiting for further teacher instruction.
Ending Class/Dismissal Policy (when the teacher releases the class)
a. Students will complete the closure activity for their ticket out the door.
b. Students will have written out their homework on their agenda.
c. Student closure and agenda should be out on their desk for instructor
collection/checking.
d. Once students closure has been collected and agenda been checked they may pack
up and wait quietly to be released.
e. Once released by instructor, students must leave quietly and in an orderly manner.
Transitions between activities.
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Ms. Hendricks

Senior English

2015

a. When the instructor says Pencils down, eyes on me students will stop what they
are doing, stop talking, and pay attention to the instructor for further instruction.
b. After instructor gives further instruction, students will take out materials for the
next activity and clear their desks of all else.
Bathroom Policies: Students may ask to use the restroom during individual work time
and not when the instructor is teaching. Students will not be permitted to use the restroom
during the first and last 10 minutes of class. Only one student may go to the restroom at a
time.
Managing Student Work:
e. Handing Back Work:
i. In class activities and quizzes will be passed back to students by the
instructor within 1-2 days of the work being collected.
ii. Tests and exams will be returned promptly within a week of being
collected.

Grading and Grading Scale:

Grading:

Grading Scale:

Attendance & Participation (includes Bell Work)

Quizzes/Book Reviews
Exams/Essays
Individual Project
Homework
Group Projects

90%-100%
80%-89%
70%-79%
60%-69%
Below 60%

10 %
10%
25%
25%
10%
20%

A
B
C
D
F

*Grades will be accurately updated via student folders and online student portal (by Fridays)
visible through the student and parent portal.

Teacher/Student/Parent Agreement
Through the syllabus I have outlined the knowledge and procedures youll need for success in
my classroom. I truly look forward to sharing my knowledge of British literature with you and I
look forward to all the wonderful opinions, ideas, and insights that you will teach me along the
way.

Ms. Hendricks

Senior English

2015

____________________________________________________
I understand the policies and procedures that Ms. Hendricks has outlined for her Junior
English Language Arts Class, and my student and I have received a copy of the class syllabus
and calendar for the 2015-2016 school year.
Parents/Guardians Name: __________________________________
Parent/Guardians Signature: ________________________________________
Students Name: ___________________________________

Class Period: ___________

Student Signature: ___________________________________

(Please detach and return to Ms. Hendricks by the end of week 1)