Mrs. Paugh - Critical Thinking II
Course Expectations and Policies
A. General Expectations
1. An atmosphere of mutual respect for one another, the teacher and guests will prevail in the classroom at all times.
2. All students are expected to maintain behavior which contributes to the positive learning atmosphere in the classroom. Respect for and interest in each student's opinions and questions is a major facet of this behavior. Courtesy will be expressed by all students for the teacher and one another.
3. Each student should be in his/her desk when the bell rings prepared to begin class with all the appropriate materials for the day. If there is persistent tardiness, I will call home and discuss the problem with a parent or guardian.
4. Respect for and maintenance of school property is required. There is NO EATING OR DRINKING in the classroom without my approval. There will be NO WRITING ON THE DESKS. (If you write on them, then you will clean them!)
5. I consider it a personal insult to do homework for another class or sleep in class. I will call home if this becomes an issue.
6. This is my home during the day. Please be responsible for all your materials and "garbage." I expect you to be as neat in "my home" as you would want me to be in your home. (ie. Don't litter!)
7. I expect all students to be enthusiastic and motivated about the class activities and work. I assume that all students will do all the reading, writing, discussion, oral and group work. Enthusiastic participation in the course is key. I will give my best efforts to the class, and I expect you to do the same.
B. Absence/Tardy Policy and Honesty Policy
1. I will follow the absence policy as outlined in your "Palo Alto High School Handbook" on pp. 9-11. Please note that you will be dropped from the course after 8 cuts. Cuts and tardies hurt you the most, therefore: Be on time and don't cut class.
2. When you return from an excused absence, you must determine what work you missed and submit it within 2 days. It would be wise to have a friend's telephone number so you can call him/her about the work missed.
3. Please refer to the calendars or assignment books for long term or ongoing assignments and try to have the work ready on time. Being prepared, even after an excused absence, is one of the keys to academic success.
4. If you know you will be absent for a sports event or school presentation, you must submit the work in advance and have your assignments done on the day you return. If work is due the day after your event you must submit it on that day or lose credit. Just because your name appears on an official excuse list does not automatically guarantee you an excused absence. You must ask for my "ok" before the scheduled event. Being on an excused list does not grant you extra days for homework, quizzes or tests. If you know you will be absent, arrange to take scheduled tests and quizzes with me in advance of the day of your event.
5. Most make-up tests or quizzes for health related absences will be taken in the ARC. You MUST take them within a day or two of an excused absence. Please talk to me at brunch or lunch about any personal needs so as not to detract from our general class time. Class will start on time, so be sensitive to other people's needs.
6. You lose when you are not in class. Make every effort to attend class.
7. Honesty Policy: Read, discuss & KNOW the expectations & consequences
described in Paly's Honesty Policy (see p. 33-34 in the Paly Handbook.)
C. Materials Needed
1. Each day you should come to class with paper, pencils, pens and any calendars or assignment sheets I have given you. You do not need a separate English binder, but you should have a section in your binder for English work that does not go in your reading log. Do not expect to "borrow" paper or pens from me, your neighbor, or friends. You need to have these materials with you in class every day. It would also be very wise for you to carry pocket size tissue with you as the school's supplies are limited.
2. Two spiral notebooks: a) You need one notebook for your journal entries (for both in-class and out of class entries) and reading response log entries. (Most likely you will need to purchase a second one later in the year.) b) You also need a separate notebook for vocabulary work. These two notebooks should be brought to class every day.
3. Books will be issued to you as we read and study a variety of literature selections. I fully expect that you will return them on the date requested and in the same condition as you received them. Have a safe place for your books at school and at home. Do NOT lose books!
D. Assignments
1. Unless I tell you otherwise, I expect all work to be typed or written in pen. Wherever possible use a computer for your finished writing projects. Please note that we have two computer labs on campus for your use. Neatness does count! Remember that I can neither read, nor grade illegible work.
2. Please place the following heading in the upper right corner of all your work: Your name, due date of the assignment, period #, class name and my name.
3. All assignments are due at the BEGINNING of class unless otherwise notified. Do NOT hurriedly attempt to complete assignments at the beginning of class. I will collect incomplete assignments, but they will be marked down. Please staple all materials at home and make certain your name and the correct heading are on the paper. I will no give credit for work without a name. Please do not place papers in the basket but submit them directly to me when I call for them.
E. Grading
1. You will be graded on all written work, oral work, group work, and class participation. In addition to your regular homework, essays, oral reports, quizzes and tests, a class participation grade will be added to your other grades at the end of each quarter. This subjective grade is based on participation, attitude and behavior.
2. As a general practice a letter grade will be given for each assignment. The letter grade is then converted to points depending on the weight (importance) of the assignment. Essays are generally worth 100 points. Reading response logs for each book are usually worth 100 points. The points are then added at the end of the semester and divided by the total possible points to obtain a percentage. Grades will be determined on a percentage scale. 89.6-100% will be in the "A-" to "A" range; 79.6%-89.5% in the "B" range; 69.6%-79.5% in the "C" range and below 69.5% in the "D" to "F" range. Because there is no curve, in theory, everyone could receive an "A." Remember that missed assignments severely reduce your percentage. I EXPECT EVERYONE to turn in every assignment ON TIME. Late work results in a lower grade. As a general rule I mark a paper down one grade (A- to B+) for every day it is late. After three days I will not accept late work. Make this your goal early in the year and avoid disappointments.
3. I will total the number of points earned by you in a semester and divide this number by the total points that were possible to earn to determine your semester grade.
4. Remember that quarter grades are progress grades only and do not appear on your transcript. The semester grade is the one "that counts." Progress or quarter grades do give you an accurate reflection of your grade up to that point in the semester however.
5. Remember never to ask, "What did you give me, Mrs. Paugh?" Ask instead, "What grade did I earn?"
6. Occasionally I provide opportunities to earn extra credit. These occasions are rare so do not depend on extra credit "to pull you through." High school, college grades and job evaluations are primarily based on the work assigned, not extra credit work.
F. General Information
1. Usually an outside reading book (referred to as OSR) and an assignment will be required each quarter in addition to the regular literature. Be certain to keep up with all reading assignments.
2. With each book unit I will provide calendars listing class topics, homework assignments, quizzes, tests and general school events. Please refer to these calendars daily. Occasionally I have to reschedule assignments to accommodate teaching strategies. These changes will be made in advance and are rare, but please be flexible and retain a sense of humor and perspective if changes need to be made. Check the "white board" for the weekly assignments and activities. It is up to YOU to keep track of homework assignments and preparations needed for class activities. If you are absent, check your planners and calendars. Stay current!
3. These are qualities that I encourage and value: Courtesy, honesty, responsibility,
participation, effort, creativity, motivation, diligence, a positive attitude and enthusiasm.
We WILL have a great year!!
Please sign the following indicating that you have thoroughly read and understood the above information. Cut and return the signed section on _______________________
*****************
***I have read the above classroom guidelines, rules and the Academic Honesty Policy:
Student's name _______________________ (please PRINT)
Student's signature _____________________
Parent's name ________________________ (please PRINT)
Parent's signature______________________