Sr. English CP

TO VIEW OR DOWNLOAD materials discussed in class, click on COURSE MATERIALS under Sr. English CP. 

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INSTRUCTOR:  Casey (Hudson) Mayfield

ROOM:  302

PLANNING PERIOD:  5th period

OFFICE HOURS:  Before school or by appointment

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Welcome to our Senior English class!  Communication skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) are essential for success in every day life.  Crafting and honing these skills will enable you to participate effectively in your own life and assist you in achieving personal expectations, goals and dreams.  Between the academic goals you have set for yourself and the course goals and objectives I have outlined for all of us, I am expecting this to be a dynamic and exciting year! 

The senior year is filled with numerous decisions that will have an impact on the rest of your life!  By enrolling in CP English you have indicated a potential desire to further your educational training beyond high school.   The skills that you hone in this class will help prepare you for the types of skills that post secondary training demands and expects.  Do you have your tissues handy?  Mrs. M is gonna go sappy on ya … Teaching seniors is the best opportunity I could have been given.  It is such joy to watch each of you find your way in this world.  Okay, end scene.  Now, for real, I know you know how many years I was in college, I know the ins and the outs.  When you get stuck on a decision (e.g. which college, what major, dorm or apartment) get me in on that conversation, I can give you some scoop. 

A portion of CP English will be devoted to the completion of the Senior Project.  Each phase of the Senior Project serves to improve your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.  Beyond building communication skills, the Senior Project forces you to stretch as a student and become self-reliant as you set personal goals and outcomes while you create a final product that showcases your strengths and talents. 

CP English rounds out with a critical analysis of some of the earliest pieces of English literature and writing.  The major pieces under review will include Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, the Iliad and the Odyssey.

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Course sites:

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Course materials:

  • Bring your laptop to class everyday
  • Bring a pen/pencil, notebook paper and a folder to class until we figure out how much we use the laptop
  • Senior Project Student Handbook
  • McDougal-Litell literature book and vocab (I will tell you in advance when you need these in class)
  • Teacher selected novels
  • Student selected reading material

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Course Expectations:

  • Learn and master course content
  • Treat everyone in the classroom with respect
  • Participate in class discussions and activities
  • Keep notes and study materials organized
  • Attend class regularly and come prepared
  • Complete, to your best ability, all assignments, activities, projects, assessments and evaluations

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DO I NEED MY LAPTOP TODAY?  A chart is posted at the front of the room that will indicate expected use of your laptop for the day. 

  • Login ASAP – have your laptop on and ready for instruction (perhaps for bell work) before the tardy bell rings.
  • Be ready, will use – you don’t need your laptop from the beginning of class, but we will use it sometime during the period. 
  • Be ready, may use – you don’t need your laptop from the beginning of class, but we may (contingent on class progress) use it sometime during the period.
  • Not using – leave your laptop in your bag, we will not use it today.

It is YOUR responsibility to monitor your laptop’s battery status.  If you have a low or dead battery, you may use your powerpack to plug-in at the laptop charging table.  If you have to charge during class and we are using the laptops, you will sit at the charging table (not your desk … even if your desk is next to the table) to help eliminate cords on the floor.  If you have to charge during class and we are not using the laptops, you may leave the laptop on the table and sit at your desk. 

Assignments lost due to battery failure will be considered late (see late work policy below). 

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Activities and Assignments (70% of course grade):

Activities and assignments will vary in type and length (they will be outlined in brief on the back chalkboard for each day).  Deadlines for most will be at the end of the class period unless I say otherwise.

You will write four compositions during the school year.  These compositions are modeled on the types of writing assignments expected of college professors.  Click on this document for information:  Composition Requirements, Due Dates and Topics

Bell Work (Start Up Activities / Do nows):

Most days will begin with bell work.  These activities are meant to activate your thinking for the day’s agenda and are meant to be completed with the first few minutes of class.  Bell work assignments will vary.  Instructions for these assignments will be on the front (white) board.  Please make it a habit to be seated and working on the assignment when the tardy bell rings.  

The Senior Project

The Senior Project is a multi-phase project that includes a research paper, a website, a project, a portfolio and a presentation.  The Senior Project must be successfully completed in order to pass both semesters of your English class.  The Senior Project Handbook details all procedures and requirements. 

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Assessment – quizzes, comprehension checks, exams (20% of Course Grade):

Assessment will take a variety of forms including knowledge comprehension, application and reflection.  Self-assessments will also occur.  Knowledge comprehension assessment may take the form of standard testing techniques (e.g. true/false, multiple choice, matching, short answer and essay).  Other assessments will be through individual and group projects to fit the completion of the course objectives. 

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Independent Reading (10% of Course Grade):

You are expected to select and read several books each quarter.  Although this will be an out of class assignment, there may be opportunities to read during class and during the SIP period.  Therefore, please bring yoru book with you to class.  If your book is an AR book, you can pass AR tests and earn points to complete your Independent Reading requirement.  If your book is not an AR book, follow the Book Report guidelines to fulfill the requirement (these guidlines can be found on the classroom supplement page). 

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Late Assignments

Anytime your assignment is not turned in when asked for, it is considered late.  No unexcused late work will be accepted.  The only exception will be major projects that are designated by me.  For these special projects, your grade will be deducted a letter grade for every day up to 3 days.

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Absent Work

If you are absent, you should check with me before school starts about work missed.  If you have your laptop with you, you can email for missed work.  If you know you will be gone, work must be turned in before you leave.  It is YOUR responsibility to follow-up with me on missed assignments and assessments.    

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Academic Misconduct (Cheating)

Consequences for cheating (e.g. copying, plagiarizing, doing someone else’s work) will result in an automatic zero for the assignment.  Depending on the severity of the offense, your parents/guardian may be contacted.

If you find yourself in a situation where you beleive cheating is the only way you can complete an assignment TALK TO ME.

Consequences for Irresponsible or Inappropriate Behavior

Unacceptable behavior will be handled according to the student handbook.  This includes teacher warning, student and teacher conference, parent/guardian notification, and or office referral.  Severely inappropriate behavior will result in an automatic referral to the office. 

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NOTE:  THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY OF THE COURSE DETAILS OUTLINED ABOVE AT HER DISCRETION.  HOWVER, ANY CHANGES WILL BE ANNOUNCED SO THE STUDENT WILL NOT BE PUT IN AN ADVERSE SITUATION.

 

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