English IV

Instructors: Ms. Bray & Ms. Knowles

msbrayenglish.weebly.com

I. Instructor Information
Email: erin_bray@ddsd40.org, eva_knowles@ddsd.org
Phone: 503.261.8300 (X8369)
Classroom: 156
Department: English
Website: msbrayenglish.weebly.com

Communication: Parents and students should feel free to call or email

about any school related concerns. Students can email if theyve been
absent for multiple days and want to keep up with reading assignments. In
addition, students and/or parents can schedule appointments before school,
during lunch or after school.

English class provides

me space to think.
-anonymous English student

II. Purpose, Goal and Objectives

General Academic Goal: This year of English is designed to help you become an informed, resourceful, and

articulate world citizen. We will be looking at global issues (mostly through nonfiction writing) with an emphasis
on using literacy as a way to access information and synthesize informed opinions. In addition, this year will be
building towards a comprehensive research paper required to pass this class and therefore, graduate from high
school.

III. Course Guidelines

Required Materials:
Current Text
Section in a Binder or Folder
Pencils; blue, purple, or black pens; black felt-tip pen (something to write with!)
A journal dedicated to English for warm-ups and reading journal entries (you can buy one from me for a quarter)
Attendance:
This is extremely important to success in all your classes.
If you have a pre-arranged absence, consult your teachers to make up tests or assignments BEFORE you leave.
Tardiness:
This is disruptive to the class, as time is incredibly limited.
If you arrive to class more than 10 minutes late, it is no longer counted as a tardy; it is counted as a full absence.
If you have an excused tardy, give your pass to the teacher at an appropriate time. Do not disrupt the class. Be sure you
check in with the teacher at an appropriate time to make sure that the class didnt turn in homework.
If work is collected before you arrive to class (with an unexcused absence), you can only receive late credit.
I follow the schools tardy policy stringently. Your third tardy is a detention and every tardy after that is also a
detention. If you have a persistent tardy problem you will receive a referral and your parents will be notified.

Absent Work:
If you have an excused absence, assignments are due within 1 class period of your return. After this time, no credit
will be given. On the assignment, write Absent Work next to your name. Tests will be made up the day you return,
outside of class time (before or after school, or during lunch, as arranged by your teacher). If you miss a deadline that
you had prior knowledge of, you are expected to have the assignment ready to hand in upon return.
Unexcused absences will result in no credit for work assigned or due.
Late Work:
You will receive three (3) late passes per semester, which may be used to turn in things one class period late. These
passes are only for homework assignmentsno presentations, quizzes, etc. You are responsible for keeping track of
your passes. After you use these up, you will receive a zero for any late assignments.
Plagiarism and Cheating:
Its easier for students to do this today with the Internet.
We will be using turnitin.com throughout the semester. Turnitin.com has the ability to compare your work to work on
the internet. It also compares your work to other student work submitted to turnitin.com.
Plagiarism or cheating will result in a zero on the assignment to ALL parties involved in the process; a parent/teacher
conference; and, consequences according to school rules.
Plagiarizing includes copying from the Internet without citation and copying from your friend. Dont do it!
If you plagiarize on an assignment, you will receive a zero on it with no opportunity to re-do the assignment. You will
also receive a major referral and your parents will be notified. The second time you are caught plagiarizing, you will
fail the class.
If you cheat, I will most likely catch you.
Conduct:

P articipation
Arrive on time and bring required materials. Be ready and able to discuss.
R espect
Be respectful to people and things. Practice tolerance of ideas you may not agree with.
I ntegrity
Do your own work. Quote others work properly.
D iversity
Be open to authors and classmates experiences, opinions, and ideas.
E xcellence
Edit. Revise. Publish. Advocate for yourself and your classmates.
Organization:
Keep track of your past assignments in case you believe that a grade was improperly entered into the grade book. If
you cant show proof that the grade was entered incorrectly, the grade will stand.

Grading:
Required Assignments for Passing [RAPs] (25%) This semester there will be 2-4 required assignmetns for passing. These
will be major writing assignments that are required in order to pass my class. In order to receive a score in the gradebook for
these assignments, you must pass with at least a 60% or better according to the assignment criteria sheet. You will be given an
opportunity to revise your work until it is passing. If you do not turn in a passing paper, you will not pass this semester of
English IV. If you do not turn in the assignment on time, you will be allowed to turn it in late to meet the requirement.
However, late papers will not receive credit in the gradebook and must also meet a 60% standard to be considered acceptable.
Particpation (30%) Your participation grade will consist of daily journals, note taking, discussions and other in-class
assignments. Your participation in important to me and will make a difference in your overall grade.
Tests, Quizzes and Homework (30%)
Tests and quizzes will be used intermittently throughout the course. Doing your homework consistently will be important.
This will often include reading assignmentsBeing prepared for tests and quizzes will impact but not determine your grade.
Final (15%)
Your final exam will assess your ability to utilize and apply skills from the semester.

-------------------------------------------please detach------------------------------------------------------------Please sign to indicate that you have read the course syllabus for Ms. Brays English IV Class, understood it and
agree to the class policies. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me or call me at school.

Student Name__________________________________________________ Period _____

Please Print
Student Signature_______________________________________________ Date ________________
Parent/Guardian Name______________________________________________
Please Print
Parent/Guardian Signature __________________________________ Date________________
Email contact (if helpful for communication): _______________________________________________________
Please print neatly!

Additional comments/questions: __________________________________________________________________

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