PALM SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS POLICIES AND EXPECTIONS

2014-15



I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The goal of the Expository Reading and Writing course is to prepare college-bound
seniors for the literacy demands of higher education. Students will be expected to
increase their awareness of the rhetorical strategies employed by authors, and to apply
those strategies in their own writing. They will read closely to examine the relationship
between an authors argument or theme and his or her audience and purpose, to analyze
the impact of structural and rhetorical strategies and to examine the social, political, and
philosophical assumptions that underlie the text. By the end of the course, students will
be expected to use this process independently when reading unfamiliar texts and writing
in response to them. Course texts include contemporary essays, newspaper and
magazine articles, editorials, reports, biographies, memos, assorted public documents,
and other non-fiction texts. The course materials also include modules on two full-
length works (one novel and one work of non-fiction). Written assessments and holistic
scoring guides conclude each unit.


II. COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

A. Daily attendance, cooperation and participation in the leaning process.

B. Reading: Required reading from Grade 12 Reading Lists in which all participate in verbal
and written narrative analysis, argument, evaluation, literary interpretation and synthesis.
Specific instructions will be made available that will require student to demonstrate the
standards/skills for Reading, Listening, and Speaking set forth by the California Academic
Standards Commission in Language Arts: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking Content
Standards (K-12).

C. Writing: Students will write coherent and focused texts that convey well defined perspectives
and tightly reasoned arguments, and that demonstrate an awareness of audience and purpose
using organization and focus, research and technology, revision and evaluation strategies.
Students will combine rhetorical modes of narration, exposition, persuasion and description
to produce texts that demonstrate a command of Standard English and the organizational and
drafting strategies italicized in the preceding sentence. Students will maintain a section in
their portfolios for their written products.

D. Tests: Written tests, both objective and written, will be given from time to time on the
required reading. Vocabulary tests will take place on a regular basis, word lists drawn from
the reading materials. Individual and group activities involving practice in Listening and
Speaking Standards will be ongoing.
SUBJECT: Expository Reading and Writing EMAIL: Hclaggett@psusd.us
TEACHER: Mr. Claggett ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL _____


III. HOMEWORK/MAKE-UP POLICY:

Students are required to attend class on a daily basis unless the absence is EXCUSED by the
parent for ill health, doctor appointment, or a family emergency, according to school policy and
procedure. Missed work MUST be made up AFTER SCHOOL (NOT DURING CLASS TIME)
WITHIN THREE DAYS following the absence. Students with longer periods of absence will have
personalized arrangements made for their individual cases. Failure to do so will result in a failing
grade for that assignment/test/quiz. Students who have NOT CLEARED THEIR ABSENCES WIIL
NOT BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE UP ANY WORK MISSED DURING
THEIR ABSENCE. Students will be apprised of the make-up work due upon return to class. It is
the STUDENT'S responsibility to complete the required work. There is NO EXTRA CREDIT (NO
EXCEPTION) offered in this class.

IV. GRADING POLICY:

Students' grades will be weighted as follows:
Writing Assignments 25%
Class Participation 20%
Reader's Notebook 20%
Tests and Quizzes 20%
Vocabulary and Grammar 15%
Writing Assignments will be assigned several times within the quarter. Each will be evaluated
according to the California Academic Standards
Class Work grades will be given on the basis of attendance, participation and cooperation in the
learning process.
Reader's Notebook grades are based on an individual student response to reading, both in and out of
class. Students' responses include, but are not limited to, predicting outcomes, identifying literary
terms and techniques, formulating opinions, interpreting information, drawing conclusions,
evaluating text, drawing inferences, formulating questions, and summarizing.\
Tests and Quizzes, both objective and written, are given at various times during the quarter as an
assessment of standards/ skills in reading, writing, vocabulary, spelling, and speaking as set forth by
the California Academic Standards Commission.


V. MATERIALS:

Expository Reading and Writing CSU materials distributed by instructor
Three ring binder


SCHOOL POLICY will be followed!!! It is important that you know what is expected of you while
in school. If you are unfamiliar with the school rules or policies, ask a counselor or check with the
Vice Principal in charge of students; who will be HAPPY to give you a recent copy of the
STUDENT HANDBOOK.