English II Handbook

English II


Student Handbook
Welcome to English II! This semester you will learn to write well, read critically, and think creatively. You will read works like To Kill a Mockingbird,
Julius Caesar, and short stories and poetry from world literature. 

Supplies

To succeed in this class, you will need the following supplies:

	Folder with pockets and brads filled with loose-leaf notebook paper

	Black or Blue ink pens--no pencils please

	1 package of art supplies (or Kleenex) of your choice (paint, paper, crayons, glue, 	scissors, etc.)

You must bring all of these supplies to class by this Monday, August 16.

You must come to class ready to learn. I expect you to bring all supplies to class every day--pens, paper, and textbooks. You may not share
textbooks. If you must borrow pens and paper, you must do so before the final bell rings. I will periodically check to see that you have brought all
supplies for a grade. If you fail to bring supplies, you will earn a zero for participation. Because pens run out of ink, remember to bring extras

Grading

Good news! You cannot fail this class! As long as you complete and turn in every assignment, you cannot fail. 

I calculate your grade by weighting categories rather than averaging total points. This means I take all the points you have earned in one category
and multiply them by that category's percentage. The products of all categories are then added together to arrive at your number grade.

I weight categories as follows:

 Reading ( includes reading participation, page checks, novel response forms, reading response journal, reading projects, Accelerated Reader
test)--20%
Vocabulary (includes vocabulary journal and vocabulary tests)--10%
Writings (includes freewritings, revisions, Writing Ideas journal, powerwriting, webfolio publications)--40%
Writing Participation--10%
Daily Work (includes make up summaries, notes, handouts,  quizzes, etc)--20%

To help you keep track of your progress, I will give you a copy of your grade each Friday. If you have any questions about your grade, write your
question on your grade slip and place in the in-box on my desk. I will answer your grade-related questions during Level Three time.

Extra Credit
I will give extra credit assignments only to those who have turned in all other work and are still failing. If you are failing and have turned in all
assignments, you may request extra credit. 

Encor and Make Up Work
I am available for Encor daily.  Please stop by if you have any questions.  If you are failing, you must attend Encor.
If you are absent, please check the late work file and folder for assignments and handouts.  You have two days for each day absent to make up late
work.

Late Work Policy
Each semester I will give you two "Late Work" tickets. You may turn in two assignments late without losing points by stapling this ticket to your late
work. Once you have used your late work tickets, I will not accept any other assignment late. If you lose or share your ticket, I will not give you a
replacement.  You do not have to use your late work ticket for work missed during excused absences.

Hall Passes 
Each semester I will give you two "Restroom and Locker" tickets. If you need to make a trip outside the classroom, you must turn in one of your
tickets. When you have used both tickets, you may not leave the room during class time. If you lose or share your tickets, I will not give you a
replacement.  Please do not use your tickets during the first or last 15 minutes or when I am lecturing. 

English II Notebook
Fill your folder (one with pockets and brads) with loose-leaf notebook paper and divide into four sections using dividers. Label the first section
Vocabulary Journal, the second section Reader Response Journal,  the third section Writing Ideas Journal, and the fourth section Notes.  During
class you will make entries in each section according to my instructions. Please date each entry. 
Vocabulary Journal
Each week I will give you a language exploration topic for you to write about in your vocabulary journal.  You should write about this topic for
homework.  You should have your answers ready for group discussion every Friday.
Reader Response Journal
In this journal you will respond in writing to your independent reading book.  I will give you a list of reader response questions to use when writing in
this section.  Please make at least two entries per week, dating all entries.  This journal is also to be done as homework.
Writing Ideas Journal
Starting the second full week of school, you will begin your writing ideas journal.  Please freewrite in your journal for about five minutes daily.  Each
entry should fill 1/2 of a page of notebook paper.  You will have five minutes in class each day.  Complete unfinished entries as homework.
Notes

Some days I will expect you to take notes from my lecture. I will grade your notes to ensure you have included the necessary information. I will
occasionally test you over the material included in your notes.




Independent Reading


This week we will visit the library to check out an Accelerated Reader book. Every Monday and Friday you must bring this book to class. The first
book you read must be an Accelerated Reader book. After you have successfully earned some AR points, you must still bring a book to read every
Monday and Friday, and you must still read the required number of pages weekly. The book, however, does not have to be an AR book. The book
should be school appropriate.

I require that you read at least 50 pages of your book each week--about 7 pages per night.  Please read for at least 10 minutes each night.  On
Monday and Friday I will give you 20 minutes of class time to read your book. If during page check  on Fridays I find that you have completed 50
pages AND if you have your book in class and read it the entire time I allow for reading, you will receive full credit. If you have not read 50 pages or
do not read the entire reading time, you will receive no credit. Occasionally, I will ask oral questions about your book.
Each nine weeks you must take one Accelerated Reader test, complete one novel response form, and complete one reading project.

I give AR tests during Encor. Your test date depends upon the number of pages in your book:

1-150 pages test on September 7

151-250 pages test on September 21

250 or more pages test on September 28


September 28 is the last date to take an AR test this nine weeks. Students who appear to read 50 pages weekly but receive no AR points after
taking the AR test will lose all book check points.

I provide one class period per nine weeks to visit the library to check out books. If you need to visit the library more frequently to check out or return
books, you should do this during Encor. You may not check out or return books during class time.
Make Up Summaries
Once or twice per nine weeks, I will ask you to fill out the day’s make up summaries and collect handouts for absent students.  The following day
you will provide an oral summary of the previous day’s work.  Please follow all the directions on the make up summary folder.
Computer Lab

Because I believe technology enhances education, I schedule some class time in the computer lab. To receive computer lab privileges, students
must turn in signed Internet permission forms, visit only teacher-approved on-line sites, and treat the equipment with respect. Students who fail to
return Internet permission or abuse the lab will lose computer privileges. I will give these students alternate assignments.

Classroom Behavior

Different types of learning activities require different types of student behavior. I define these expected behaviors as three levels: 
Level One

face forward, desks in rows, eyes on teacher or work, no side conversations, raise hands to ask questions, only one person speaks at a time 

Level Two

desks arranged in large or small groups or circles or rows, talk on topic to entire group, hand raising optional, use soft voices, only one person
speaks at a time, no side conversations

Level Three

free time, normal speaking voices, in seats, your choice of school appropriate topics

Students who ignore Level Three requirements may cause the entire class to lose Level Three time.

You earn Level three time by staying on task during Level One and Level Two time.  For each minute you waste during Level One and Level Two
time, you lose one minute of Level Three time.  Level One time begins the moment the bell rings.

I will remind those students not following expected behaviors one time.  Students who continue disruptive behaviors after this reminder will be
subject to the following actions:

	Step 1.  Removed from group for the rest of the day;  extra work given
	Step 2.  Removed from group and credit lost for the day’s work; extra work given
	Step 3.  Removed from group and credit lost for the day’s work; extra work given. Parents notified by phone or email
	Step 4.  Removed from group and credit lost for the day’s work; extra work given;  strong disciplinary action which may include 	              
	developing behavioral contract during Friday Encor;  referral to office; and/or meeting with parents, teachers, and administrators.

Classroom Policies

1. Please remain awake and attentive during class. If some circumstance causes you to have problems remaining awake, please speak to me about
it before or after class. If you continue to have problems, I will refer you to the counselor.

2. Please respect my belongings--sit only at your own desks and not at my desk or stool or podium. 

3. Please respect your school's belongings--keep desks and floors clean, return books to their proper places, and remember to take all of your
belongings. 

4. Once I give you materials like handouts, worksheets, handbooks, and forms, I expect you to keep track of them. I do not have extra copies to
replace ones you might lose. 

5. Please remain in your seats until the final bell rings. Wait until Level Three time to put on your jackets and put up your books. If you lose your
Level Three time, you must wait until after the bell rings to pack up. No one may leave until everyone is seated.