Instructor: Jessica Robinson

Email Address: jessica.robinson@carteretk12.org

Website: http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/chs/fptwebs/jrobinson/index.htm

Curriculum:  Our curriculum aligns with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, which outlines the goals of the class as follows: “Students in English III analyze United States literature as it reflects social perspective and historical significance by continuing to use language for expressive, expository, argumentative, and literary purposes. The emphasis in English III is critical analysis of texts through reading, writing, speaking, listening, and using media.”

Goals: All sophomores will take the North Carolina Writing Test on March 9^th.  In preparation for this exam, future classes, and life after high school, this course will focus heavily on improving students’ writing skills.  Students will complete writing assignments daily: these assignments will give them the language skills needed not only to pass the test, but also to succeed in the outside world. 

Supplies: Students will need the following materials.  If you have difficultly obtaining any of these items, please let me know and I will assist you. As of January 25^th, failure to bring materials is considered coming to class unprepared and will consequently merit disciplinary action.  

• 1 three ring binder
• 1 journal
• sticky notes
• note cards
• six dividers for binder, with tabs labeled as follows:
  • vocabulary
  • grammar study
  • reading workshop
  • definition essays
  • cause & effect essays
  • research & argumentation

• black or blue ink pens
• #2 pencils
• highlighters (at least 2 different colors)

Behavioral Expectations: Students are expected to behave as professionals who are here to learn. Each student should...

• Be prepared.
  • Bring all materials to class everyday.
• Be polite.
  • Treat every person in this classroom with dignity and respect.
• Pay attention.
  • Do not distract yourself or others from learning
  • Listen actively, remain alert, and stay on task.
• Be prompt
  • Be in your seat and working when the bell rings
  • Follow instructions the first time they are given

Students who choose not to follow classroom expectations will receive consequences:

·         1st Offense: Warning with documentation

·         2nd Offense: Lunch detention, parental notification, and creation of personal behavior plan

·         3rd Offense: Administrative referral (the student will be sent to the office or ALC)

Intellectual Honesty:  Academic dishonesty is not tolerated.  Cheating includes all of the following:  copying someone else’s work, allowing someone to copy work, and giving answers to a classmate.  Any form of cheating will result in the following consequences: a zero on the assignment, an unsatisfactory conduct grade for the six weeks grading period, and notification of the principal and parent.

Attendance/Make-up Work:  Students are responsible for obtaining all missed work and making arrangements for missed tests or quizzes. 

• Students should check the absentee folder and meet with Ms. Robinson to find out what they missed before or after school within two days of their return.  Students who do not make arrangements to make up missed assignments within two days will receive a zero.  Students who do not come to their appointments to make up missed assignments will also receive zeros. 

Homework:  It is the student’s responsibility to write down and keep up with homework assignments.

• Homework is only accepted at the beginning of class; late homework is not accepted and will result in a zero.   
• Late projects or compositions (major assignments) will be accepted, but ten points will be deducted for each class period the assignment is overdue.  

Completing homework is fundamental to the student’s success in this class.  For this reason, consequences for not doing homework are serious and strictly enforced. 

• 1st time without homework: warning with documentation
• 2nd time without homework: lunch detention
• 3rd time without homework: two days of lunch detention and parental contact
• 4th time without homework: administrative referral
• 5th and subsequent offenses will result in ALC

Grading: I use a grading program that allows students and parents to check grades online as they as posted.  The website is http://chs.myegrades.com  and you can log on with your Novell computer username and password.  Students should know this information; parents may contact Pat Wiseman (pat.wiseman@carteretk12.org) to obtain their children's passwords if necessary.

• The method of grading used each six weeks:
  • 60% - Major Grades: compositions, major tests, projects
  • 40% - Minor Grades: quizzes, homework, class work, participation
• The following method will be used to obtain the final course grade:
  • 25% - Final exam grade*
  • 75% - Average of three (3) six weeks’ grades