PALM SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS POLICIES AND EXPECTIONS

2014-15




I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is an intermediate writing, reading, grammar, and conversation course for students whose first
language is not English.
Students will receive direct instruction in aspects of English writing: grammar, verb
conjugation, sentence expansion, writing forms, and the writing process. Students will be
responsible for learning the spelling of a list of commonly used English words.
Students will develop reading skills in word analysis, fluency and vocabulary, comprehension,
and basic literary analysis and response.
Students will study syntactic elements (nouns, verbs, modifiers, etc.) as well as phonetic and
semantic aspects of English grammar. They will also study content area vocabulary.
Students will learn basic oral and aural (listening) competence used in conversation. They will
study the basic elements of the English alphabet.

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.



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
SUBJECT: English II CP EMAIL: Hclaggett@psusd.us
TEACHER: Mr. Claggett ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL _____



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:

Literature and Language Arts Holt
Expository Reading and Writing (sophomore ed.) - CSU


Assignment values:
Midterm and Final: 200 points
Projects: 150-200 points
Quarterly Binder Check: 100 points
Unit Tests: 100 points
Homework: 10 points daily

Make-up Work:

I do not accept late work. According the PSHS Handbook, Class work missed, as a result of an unexcused
absence cannot be made up. However, if absences are excused within 5 school days, full credit will be
awarded for completion of the assignment. Students receive double the amount of time absent to turn in
work. (For example, if a student is absent for 2 days, he/she will have 4 school days to return assignments.)
***It is YOUR responsibility to see me before or after class the day that you return to find out what you
missed.

Students who are in class but fail to turn in assignments on time will receive half credit of the awarded
points upon completion of the assignment. However, late assignments must be completed during after
school tutoring on assigned days.

Cheating: Cheating on a test exam or assignment, plagiarism, or lending someone
else your work will result in ZERO points and a call home.
*Copying someone elses words or using someone elses ideas without giving that other
person credit is considered plagiarism.

Attendance: There is no way of making up instruction and discussion. Consistent daily
attendance is essential to all classes; therefore absences should be avoided when
possible. Attendance is not only crucial to the learning process, but to your future
success in whatever your career path!

Graffiti: I believe that each student should be held responsible for his/her learning
space while in my room. Therefore, I expect each student to immediately report any
graffiti found on his/her desk at the beginning of the class period. I will then determine
who is responsible for the graffiti using the seating chart, and that person will receive
detention. During detention, that student will clean all the student desks in the room.

Grading Scale:
A+ 97-100
A 92-26
A- 90-91
B+ 87-89
B 82-86
B- 80-81
C+ 77-79
C 72-76
C- 70-71
D+ 67-69
D 62-66
D- 60-61
F 59 & below



To be returned to Mrs. Licata

Please sign and return this form to indicate your understanding, awareness, and agreement with the
information in this syllabus. If you have a question, concern, or comment, please contact me before
signing. (See first page for my contact information.)
Haga el favor de firmar y devolver esta forma a la maestra para indicar su entendimiento, conocimiento y
acuerdo de la informacin adjunta. Si tiene alguna pregunta, preocupacin o comentario por favor de
comunicar conmigo antes de firmar. (Ver primera pgina para mi informacin de contacto.)

__________________________________________________ _________________________
Name of Parent or Guardian/Nombre del padre o tutor Date/Fecha

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Signature of Parent or Guardian/Firma del padre o tutor

__________________________________________________ _________________________
Name of Student/Nombre del estudiante Date/Fecha

___________________________________________________
Student Signature/Firma del estudiante