Freshman English

MR. HELLAND, ROOM W-7

503.667.3186 X1279
mrhelland.blogspot.com / Nathan_Helland@reynolds.k12.or.us

Course Description
This course will focus on the development of reading, writing,
speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills through the study of Probable Texts
English Grammar (punctuation, parts of speech, sentence
structure), Drama, Poetry, Novels, Short Stories, and more. Our • “Literature: The
writing assignments will include: Timed Writes, Expository Essays, Reader’s Choice”
Literary Analysis Essays, Persuasive Essays, and beginning ed. Glencoe,
Research Methods. 2000

A student must successfully complete each major assessment • A Separate Peace

(“Must-Do”) associated with each unit to earn credit for the by John Knowles
course.
• An Ordinary Man
Units of Study – Quarter One by Paul
1. Short Story Rusesabagina
“Must-Do”: Test on Story Elements, Terms, and Analysis Paper
Focus Area: Story Elements • Of Mice and Men
by John
2. Fiction: A Separate Piece Steinbeck
“Must-Do”: Character Analysis Essay, Test on Literary Devices
Focus Area: Literary Devices • “Romeo And
Juliet” by William
Units of Study – Quarter Two Shakespeare
1. Nonfiction: An Ordinary Man
“Must-Do”: Personal Narrative, Test on Non-Fiction terms
Focus Area: Argument, Persuasion
Required
Units of Study – Quarter Three Materials
1. Fiction: Of Mice and Men
“Must-Do”: Advanced Literary Analysis, Test over Story • Two
Elements & Literary Devices Composition
Focus Area: Literary Devices Books: Bring it
every day!
Units of Study – Quarter Four
• Planner. Bring it
1. Poetry: Various Poetry
“Must-Do”: Test on Poetic Devices, Poetry Portfolio every day! You’ll
write in it every
2. Drama: Romeo and Juliet day. You will need
“Must-Do”: On demand Writing, Test on Dramatic Elements it if you want to
be able to leave
the room during
class.

• Current Novel
 CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

General Classroom Procedures

• All requirements outlined in the RHS Student Handbook apply to this class.
• Food and drink are not allowed, except on special occasions. Water is acceptable.
• Off-And-Away. Consider this a warning; DO NOT BRING A PHONE TO CLASS. I will take it,
no questions.
• 10-10. Nobody leaves the first ten minutes of class, not the last ten.
• Bathroom. You have two bathroom passes per quarter. Use them up, and you will have to
earn more passes.
• Carry your planner at all times. You must have it – and it must be yours – in order to leave
the room at any time, including bathroom breaks.
• WAR BOOK. Each student is responsible for his/her Writing and Reading Book every day!
NEVER FORGET IT!!

Classroom Environment
My philosophy of classroom management is simple:
Have few rules, and enforce those few rules vigorously.
• Responsibility: On time and coming prepared to do the day’s work.
• Respect: Respect the classroom, yourself, your fellow students, the instructor, and our time.
• Integrity: Is defined as the moral excellence of a person: Doing What is Right.
• Effort: We have put forth substantial effort in order to achieve Excellence in all we do.
If you feel so inclined to disregard any of these rules, first privileges will be lost, followed
by enforced consequences.

LATE WORK
LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED IN THIS COURSE!
Daily work missing from an excused absence must be on student’s own time within the grading
cycle. See Absences section below for further clarification on make-up work.

ABSENCES
GOOD ATTENDANCE IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS IN THIS COURSE.
Excessive absences will inevitably affect your grade. You are responsible for obtaining all missed
assignments on your own time! You have time before school and time after school to meet with me.
If it was a short assignment, it could be possible to cover the work during a passing period. All
missed tests must be made up before the next test.

Grading Policies
**FRESHMAN ENGLISH IS A REQUIRED COURSE FOR GRADUATION**
Failure in this class will leave you credit deficient on your pace towards graduation. Each quarter is
an independent grade on your transcript.
Here is the grading breakdown:
• Must-Do: 100 percent
• Homework, Classwork, Journals, Quizzes: 0 percent

Must-Do assignments are designed to assess student knowledge and growth. All daily work is
designed to help students meet the state standards assessed in the Must-Do. These Must-Do
assignments may be redone/retaken within the testing cycle. Students may not redo a Must-Do
assignment after each grading quarter. Each unit will reflect use of all of these elements in order to
obtain a well-rounded assessment of student performance. NO EXTRA credit will be assigned.

GRADING SCALE
100-90 = A 89-80 = B 79-70 = C 69 or Below = Incomplete
Parent Assist is part of the online grading program that allows parents to check
on grades whenever they like.
If you are interesting in accessing your student’s grades, e-mail the curriculum
secretary, Mary Lou Raney, at MaryLou_Raney@reynolds.k12.or.us for further
instructions.