Hueytown High School

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS, GRADE 12

2014-2015

Ms. Wellyna Johnson
Email address: wcjohnson@jefcoed.com
Phone number: (205) 379-4150
Twitter: @MsJohnsonEdu (class hashtag- #english251)
Website: englishin251.weebly.com
Tutoring: By appointment

As teachers we believe that learning is possible, that nothing can keep an open mind from seeking after knowledge and
finding a way to know. ~bell hooks

Course Description:
English 12 addresses the required 12th grade Alabama Course of Study standards in reading, British literature, writing
and language, research and inquiry, oral and visual communication. In addition, particular attention to the reading and
language standards that students have not yet mastered on the ACT will be addressed. Writing, editing, language, and
reading comprehension skills tested on college entrance exams (ACT, SAT) will be studied. Students will expand their
advanced reading skills as they analyze more complicated British literature such as Shakespeares Macbeth. They will read
additional novels selected from the JefCoEd Recommended Reading list. Students will write research papers with proper
MLA format and use technology to generate classroom assignments. Research papers and multimedia presentations are
required and will count for 50% of the semester exam grade.

Materials:
Blue or black ink pen
#2 pencil (used for testing)
4 colors of highlighters
Textbooks & novels
College ruled notebook paper
2 3-ring binder


Required Novels: Frankenstein, Macbeth (in Literature textbook), The Importance of Being Earnest, and 1984

Behavior:
We will abide by all rules outlined in the Jefferson County Code of Conduct and the Hueytown High School Student
Handbook. There are certain expectations I have of the classroom community:
Students will come to class prepared with everything needed to be successful in class that day (paper, pen, required
text, completed assignments, etc.)
Students will respect the classroom community by conducting themselves in a manner that promotes an
environment conducive to teaching and learning. Any student who fails to behave accordingly will face
disciplinary consequences
The instructor and students will act with integrity and strive to engage in equitable verbal and non-verbal
behavior with respect to differences arising from gender, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, religious
preferences, and/or because someone does not fit in a particular box that you have checked for him/her.

Every action has a consequence. Failure to abide by the guidelines above will result in the following:
Verbal warning
Student/teacher conference
Behavioral contract
Parent contact
Administrative referral
Be informed that these consequences are in no particular order; therefore I will use my professional judgment to
determine which action will best address the behavioral issue.

Attendance, Makeup Work, & Tutoring:

In order for students to reap the full benefits of education, students must be present and on time for class. If the student is
not inside the classroom when the tardy bell rings, he or she will be considered tardy. If a student is absent, he or she
should check the makeup work binder on the shelf in the classroom for any missed assignments. Students with excused
absences have 5 school days from the day they return from an absence. If an assignment was due on a day the student was
absent, the work is to be turned in immediately upon the students return to school. Students with unexcused absences
may not make up missed work. Daily work, such as quizzes and bellringers, will not be made up without an excused tardy.

Makeup work may not be completed during class time because it causes the student to get farther behind. Students must
schedule a time with me 2 days in advance to make up tests either before or after school. I will also offer tutoring for
students who need additional assistance. It is the students responsibility to schedule a time with me either before or after
school. I am more than willing to accommodate the needs of students who need additional assistance. I desperately want
to see each student succeed, so I will do what I can to provide additional support. However, it is the students responsibility
to seek help if and when it is needed.

Grades:
Grades fall into three categories:
Standards based assessments- 75% of total points
Classwork- 15% of total points
Homework- 10% of total points

Standards based assessments are summative assessments such as tests, papers, presentations, and projects that measure
student learning. Major grades in each semester include an essay and multi-media presentation. Classwork consists of
formative assignments that evaluate student learning. Examples of these assignments are daily assignments, notebook
entries, rough drafts, quizzes, etc. Homework is informal work that includes returning signed papers, progress reports, or
participation points.

*If your child has questions about a grade, I welcome him or her to discuss it with me. Keep in mind that its better to
address a concern early on rather than wait until later in a semester.

I will send out a progress report every 4 weeks. I strongly encourage you to monitor your childs progress from home via
INOW. If you do not receive your childs progress report at the 4 week mark, contact me at wcjohnson@jefcoed.com.

Novels
We will read 4 novels and plays this year; those titles may be found under the materials section of this document.
Students will have assigned reading and corresponding reading checks to keep the class on course for completing the
entire novel in a timely manner. In order to take any test on the book, the student must have his or her copy on the desk.
This is to make sure everyone has the book and has read. Those who do not have the book and have not read will not have
the chance to guess their way through the test.

Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is defined as:
to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
to use (another's production) without crediting the source
to commit literary theft
to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source
It is stealing someone elses work and lying about it afterward
(http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_what_is_plagiarism.html).

It is a serious offense and has penalties such as loss of positions, lawsuits, fines, criminal action, and expulsion from
universities. I have a zero tolerance for plagiarism. According to the Code of Conduct, cheating/plagiarism is a Class II
offense and in addition to the disciplinary action appropriate to this offense, cheating or plagiarism will result in a grade
of zero. (pg 72 of HHS student manual). Poor decisions may limit your future opportunities. I will take the time to
investigate any work a student turns in that is not comparable to his or her other writing. Anything found to be copied
from another source without following proper MLA guidelines for citation will be deemed plagiarism.

Special Accommodations:

Every student deserves a free and fair education. I hope to cultivate a classroom community that serves each student and
creates a healthy learning environment. I would greatly appreciate if you would inform me of any special needs your child
might have and return it to me. If anything arises after you have completed this form, I would like to be made aware of
that as well. Do not hesitate to email me at wcjohnson@jefcoed.com or call the school at (205) 379-4150 to schedule an
appointment with me.

I am more than convinced that we are going to have a fantastic year. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work
with your child.

Joyfully,

Ms. Wellyna C. Johnson


Please complete the following and return it to me.


___________________________________________________________ _________
Student's name Age

Extra-curricular activities:

_________________________________________________________

Do you have access to a computer? YES or NO
Access to the Internet? YES or NO

Important information I need to know about your child:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Information:

Name & Relation to student:
Home Phone:
Cell Phone:
Work Phone:
Email address:
*This is important because I intend to frequently contact parents via email.

I have received and read the policies and procedures for Ms. Johnsons 10th grade English class. I agree to conduct
myself in a manner that accurately reflects who I am as a respectable student and a decent human being in the
upcoming school year.

______________________________________________________________________________
(students signature)

_______________________________________________________________________________
(parents signature)