Writing - Students will be exposed to avariety of forms of writing. Certainly

they will write a substantial number offormal essays, including the

following: argumentative/persuasive, reflective, research, and

literary analysis. They will also be doing numerous less formal

pieces (e.g., creative writing, quick-writes, dialectical journals/

logs, and in-class essays). In this writing-rich environment they will

use a variety of strategies, such as brain-storming, draft-writing, peer-

editing, and revising.

Reading - The list below is subject to revision. Fortunately, we now have

NEW anthologies (Elements of Literature - Fourth Course), so

we will be able to make much better useof the poetry and short

story sections. In other words, our plans are somewhat in flux

because we have many more choices. YIPPEE (from the teacher's perspective).

**In addition, sophomore honors students will read works from an

enrichment list--500 pages per quarter.They will periodically write

or give a report on these readings.

Vocabulary - Vocabulary study will include traditional exercises, group activities,

games, SAT preparation, and tests. Workbook info. to follow.

Speech/Communication - Acting, group presentations, interviews, etc.

Career Unit - In the spring students will complete a major "I-search" paper on

their preferred career. This essay is required of all sophomores and

is based on library research, interviews, and personal reflection.

Service Learning – All departments will be incorporating a service learning

project into the curriculum. More information to follow.

II. Methods of Presentation/Evaluation:Question and answer, group work, lecture,

tests/quizzes, visuals, interviews, andlong-term projects.

III. Homework: The amount of homework given nightly will fluctuate according

to the kinds of projects we are doing in class. However, I will try to

keep the assignments within reason (about 45 minutes a night) and

give students adequate notice on long-term projects. At the very

least they will usually have to write in their reading logs and keep up

with the various outside reading assignments explained above.

Students are expected to pace themselves. It goes ALMOST without

saying the honors students are expectedto record homework assign-

ments in some sort of notebook.

IV. Grading Policy

Please bear in mind that not all assignments are equally weighted.

I find that too much anxiety centers on grades. Consequently, Isupply each student with his/her average at 5-week report time and at theend of the 9-week grading period, not on a daily or weekly basis. Of course,students are always welcome to come in and see me about their progress inthe course.

Make-up - If a student has an excused absence, he/she is allowed an equal number

Work of days after the absence to turn in make-up work. It is the student's

responsibility to consult with the teacher (preferably after class or at the

end of the day) about work that has been missed. If a test or quiz is

not made up within the negotiated amount of time, the grade will be for-

feited. If the absence is unexcused, the work may not be made up.

Late work will be docked 50% for the first day late and l0% foreach

subsequent day.

Obviously, keeping up with assignments is of critical importance.

A student would do well to contact a "study buddy" from class as well

as keep in touch with me.

l. Be considerate of others.

2. Arrive promptly (in seat before the bell rings) and participate

3. Have with you all needed materials and text(s).

4. Observe all school rules (posted at door).

5. Refrain from gum chewing, eating, and drinking in class.

6. Avoid plagiarism (copying without acknowledging sources) like the

plague.

Any behavior that impedes learning will result in one ormore of the following consequences: call to parents, detention, referral,and/or suspension. Note well:

A positive outlook, adequate preparation, and a willingness to work hard are indispensable for success in this class. Let us "make much of time."

VI. Required Materials (Please bring every day.)

VII. Teacher Contact - Students, don't be reluctant about asking questions in class.

However, if you want to speak to me about your work, please arrange to see

me before or after school, preferably the latter. Don't rely onmy mind-

reading abilities. Take the intiative to get timely help if youneed it. Parents,

feel free to ring me at the main school number, 657-3600, to leave a message at

Voicemail 3107. Please tell me a convenient time to call, and Iwill contact you,

usually within 24 hours, during the school week.