Literature and Rhetoric

Mrs. Stuckey
Kstuckey@lsps.org
phone: (586) 285-8746
http://stuckey9a.weebly.com

Welcome to Literature and Rhetoric! With great enthusiasm, I look forward to working with and getting to know
each of you in the coming months. I am confident that this next year will be a great one.

Course Description
This class provides a concentration in vocabulary, reading, writing, speech, and grammar. Instruction focuses
on opportunities to read, comprehend, and analyze a broad variety of texts including novels, short stories,
poetry, nonfiction, and plays while applying appropriate reading strategies and developing vocabulary.
Students will further develop their recognition and use of rhetorical devices to build effective arguments.
Composition instruction requires students to write for a various audiences and purposes while strengthening
skills in paragraph and multi-paragraph writing. Using technology, students receive instruction and practice in
the writing and investigative process.
Oral communication instruction emphasizes effective listening and speaking techniques and provides
opportunities for students to integrate other reading and language arts skills as students learn to express ideas
verbally. Using an integrated approach, the students gain reading, writing, speaking and listening skills
necessary to perform successfully both in the school and the community.

This class is required for graduation (i.e. you must pass this class to graduate).
Textbook and Supplemental Materials:
EMC Masterpiece Series: Literature and the Language Arts: Experiencing Literature (Birch Level).
Selected Short Stories
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
Selected Poems
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare
Classroom Website and Text Updates: Syllabus and the daily agenda can be found by visiting
http://stuckey9a.weebly.com Additionally, you can sign up to receive text reminders and updates by texting
@stuckeyLR to 81010.

Classroom Policies
Grading Policy
Grammar, Usage, Mechanics, Vocabulary and Concept Development
Participation
Reading Fiction and Non-fiction Texts
Writing Process and Applications
Formal Assessments & Final Products
Marking Period 1 (45%)

Marking Period 2 (45%) + Final Exam (10%)

10%
10%
25%
25%
30%
=

Trimester Grade

Grades are updated frequently and can be viewed in PowerSchool. See the schools homepage for the
PowerSchool link. If you did not receive your log-in information, please contact the main office. If you have a
question or concern about your grade, you may see me before or after class or school. You should check your
grade weekly!

100-93
92-90

A
A-

89-87
86-83
82-80

B+
B
B-

GRADING SCALE:
79-77 C+
69-67 D+
76-73 C
66-63 D
72-70 C62-60 D-

59 and below . . . F

Attendance Policy
*Attendance policy: It is important that you try to keep your absences under 6. The student handbook,
available on the Lake Shore Public Schools website, reads:
Students are in attendance violation if they accumulate more than six (6) absences in any of their classes. A student will
be given Credit (CR) for their trimester grade in those classes they have exceeded the attendance policy, if they are
earning a passing grade. Students in violation of the attendance policy will only be allowed to appeal for their letter grade
if they have a C+ or better on the final exam.

Remember that three (3) tardies equal one (1) unexcused absence!
Per the LSHS student handbook, no work will be accepted as a result of an unexcused absence. You have as
many days to make up the work as you have been excused for your absence.
Upon returning to school, it is your responsibility to find out what he/she is missing and not the teacher. All
information can be obtained in class. Handouts are obtained from the absent folders. Absent work must be
turned in to the Late Paper Tray. Please write ABSENT in large letters and the date you are turning it in.
Tests may be made up during A lunch and before or after school. No making up of tests during class or in
the hallway.

Assignments
Each assignment is given a due date when assigned. The assignment must be completed when you enter the
classroom. You will not be able to print an assignment at the beginning of class. The library is available before
and after school for this purpose.
REDO to earn credit: You may be asked to REDO an assignment for credit. Possible reasons for a
REDO include:
Missing Name
Illegible Writing
Ripped or scribbled on paper
Late Assignments: Any assignment not turned in at the time it is due is considered late or missing. Late
assignments will be accepted up to a week after its due date for half credit. Late work must be turned
in to the Late Paper Tray. Make sure you write LATE and the date you are turning it in.
Formal Papers, Projects, or Products that are late will receive a 10% grade reduction for each day it is
late. Formal assignments will only be accepted up to three days late.

Suggested Materials
1 binder with 5 tabbed dividers
Pencil
Pen to use for editing (any color is fine)
Loose leaf paper
Text book/novel as needed

Basic Classroom Values

Be Prompt
Be Prepared
Be Polite
All of these values help students achieve the well-rounded education that citizens of the United States hold so
dear.
KEEP THE Ps to be responsible and respectful.

Discipline Policy

1st offense: Verbal warning

2nd offense: Phone call home
3rd offense: Meeting with student, parents, Mrs. Stuckey, and assistant principal.
4th offense: Immediate referral to Mrs. Bross.

Technology Expectations
Students are expected to responsibly use technology. A stoplight system at the front of the classroom
is used and enforced. Failure to follow the expectations will result in the confiscation of the phone
until the end of class.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism occurs when one steals or uses the ideas or writings of another and presents these writings or
ideas as his or her own. The Lake Shore student handbook reads, plagiarism is defined as presenting
someone elses words or ideas as your own. It is a form of stealing and is a serious offense. Students must
credit their sources for any ideas that are not common knowledge and not their own. Stephen Wilhoits
article titled "Helping Students Avoid Plagiarism" in College Teaching (Fall 1994, pages161-164) lists the
following types of plagiarism:
Buying a paper for a research service, website or term paper mill.
Turning in another student's work without that student's knowledge.
Copying a paper from a text without proper acknowledgment.
Paraphrasing materials from a source text without appropriate documentation.
Copying someone elses work.
Students fail to realize how easy it is for teachers to catch them doing this. If you plagiarize, you will be
caught and will receive a zero for that assignment, your parents will be notified and you will be referred to
the principal.

Rewards
Praise!
Students will receive a lot of encouragement as well as small incentives throughout the school year.
Others as Announced!

Keep this syllabus in the front section of your binder/folder.

Return this entire letter, completely filled out, to the teacher.

Class Hour: _______

Literature and Rhetoric

Dear Parent/Guardian and Student,
This syllabus is not a complete plan of the course, but rather an overview of how this course is organized. This class will
challenge you to apply the skills you already possess as they relate to more challenging texts and will introduce you to
new concepts that build on what you already know. We all have room for personal improvement. Therefore, it is
important for all to be aware of my educational philosophy.

Education Philosophy: Students have the right to learn and teachers have the right to educate. I know from
experience that all students who put forth their best effort can produce quality work and achieve success. It is
my responsibility to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning, and to present the content and skills
necessary to achieve that success. It is the students responsibility to learn the material and do the course work
that is required. If there is any way in which I can facilitate student success, I will do my best to help. It is not
in anyones best interest for me to give a grade or make things easy for students. This is not helping them to
succeed in the real world. Students must earn their credit in order to feel good about and believe in themselves.
Nothing of value is ever really achieved the easy way.
I believe it is important that student, teacher, and parents/guardians work together to help ensure each students
success. To that end, I would appreciate the signatures below after the syllabus has been read so that we all
have the same understanding of what is required for successful completion of this course.
I look forward to working with you,
Mrs. Kristi Stuckey
kstuckey@lsps.org
(586) 285-8746

I have read and understand the syllabus for this English Course.
________________________________
Student Signature

________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature

______________________________
Student Printed Name

__________________________________________
Parent/Guardian email address

* Please return this entire letter with all required information to the teacher by Friday, September 9, 2015. Keep
the syllabus in the Handouts section of your binder/folder for future reference. *