Dear Parents/Guardians:
I am pleased to inform you that your child has been enrolled in English 2 class for the 2019-2020 school year. The focus of this course is to help students improve their reading, writing, listening, speaking, study skills, and prepare them for success throughout their high school career.
It is important that students are willing and able to take full advantage of the opportunities that they have been given. You may play a vital role in this success. You are your child’s first and most important teacher. I will email updates on your child and on the class regularly. You may also check my website weekly for daily agendas and updates at mrslpender.weebly.com.
Please be aware that students will read and analyze many different fiction and nonfiction texts from many different places. The new Common Core Standards require great breadth and depth in the curriculum. I am very careful about choosing appropriate grade level materials. However, the close readings that we will be completing are extensive and ever changing. If you have any concerns, please email me at [email protected] and together we will work out an acceptable solution.
(Mrs.) Latonya H. Pender
Literacy Coach/English 2 Teacher
Rolesville High School
[email protected]
Classroom: Room 2905
Office: Room 2903
Mrs. Pender's English 2 Syllabus
Course Description
English 2 (10th Grade) is one of the foundations for high school English courses. This course teaches writing and reading as processes. It encourages critical thinking and problem solving skills to be used in the daily practice of writing and reading. Students will be responsible for applying daily grammar and vocabulary lessons in
their writing. Students will read a variety of literature including, but not limited to, personal narrative, essays, short stories, poetry, and novels. The literature will be read and discussed critically as well as act as a model for student writing. A variety of technology will be incorporated in order to maximize student interest and learning. The course will also attempt to enhance oral communication both formally and informally.
Grading Policy
With hard work, determination, and commitment every student will be able to earn a passing grade. It is
important for students to understand that grades are not a reflection of how much I like them; grades are
a reflection of the learning that has taken place in a given amount of time.
Grades will be comprised of the following items:
Quizzes – 20%
Homework/Classwork – 10%
Minor Assessments – 15%
Tests – 25%
Essay/Projects – 30%
The Grading Scale is listed below:
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59
Cheating & Plagiarism
Cheating WILL NOT be tolerated! The first time a student is caught cheating, parents/guardians will be contacted and informed and the student may be given the opportunity to regain those points. The second time a student is caught cheating, the parents/guardians will be contacted and informed and the student will be written a discipline referral.
PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism means to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one’s own: use a created
production without crediting the source: to commit literacy theft: present as new and original an idea or
product derived from an existing source.
Plagiarizing is considered cheating! If a student is caught plagiarizing, the student will earn a zero on the
assignment with the opportunity to regain those points with an additional assignment and the parent will be informed.
Make Up Work
All teachers will abide by the school-based policy of providing students one day per excused absence to make up work (two days per excused absence if student misses three consecutive days or more.
In the case of extenuating circumstances, a student may make prior arrangements for an extension.
Missing Class
When a student misses a class period, they are given a packet with the daily agenda that includes the work missed with all of the handouts needed to complete the assignments. Students should talk with the teacher before or after class (NEVER DURING CLASS TIME) to discuss what needs to be made up. Class time will not be used to go over this material because it is unfair to the students that have attended class regularly. This policy is not only referring to illnesses but also early releases for athletes and field trips. Students may look under the "English 2 Information” tab (on the teacher's website: mrslpender.weebly.com) to view the assignments missed and the Daily Agenda.
Discipline Policy
Discipline in the classroom is necessary in order to maximize every student’s ability to learn. It is my
expectation that each student will practice self-discipline. My program has one, all-encompassing rule.
That rule is RESPECT! To be respectful please practice the following:
R Responsibility
E Environmental Wisdom
S Self-control
P Positive interaction with teachers and peers
E Efficiency and effectiveness
C Compassion
T Timeliness
In the event that a student violates the RESPECT rule, he/she will be given one verbal warning. If the lack
of respect continues after the verbal warning, the student's parent will be contacted. If the lack of respect continues after parent contact, the student will be referred to the principal for more severe consequences.
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) means students bring their own devices to school for educational purposes. In the classroom, students will use devices responsibly, and only with the permission and direction of the teacher or other staff member. The increased use of technology in RHS classrooms will “power up” student success today, and for the future. Violations restart each quarter.
First violation: Verbal warning.
Second violation: Student will be asked to turn off device and put it away for the remainder of the class.
Teacher records this action in ECATS.
Third violation: Contact parent or guardian. Teacher records this action in ECATS.
Fourth violation: Report student to administrator for further action. Teacher will record this action in ECATS.
Device is confiscated by administrator. Loss of BYOD privilege may be revoked by the
administrator.
Parent/Guardian Signature __________________________________________________________________
Student Signature __________________________________ Date ___________________________________