Mrs. Paugh - Film Composition and Literature
Film Composition and Literature
Course Expectations and Policies
Binder Assignment and Projects
Book and Film Comparison Paper
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 (this includes GUM as well!) 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 five cuts. You can also be dropped from the class after eight tardies. Teachers don't like cuts and tardies, 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 calendars, assignment books and the white board for long term or ongoing assignments and 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 excused 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, you should arrange to take all scheduled tests and quizzes with me in advance of the day of your event.
5. Make an appointment with me for make-up tests or quizzes for health related absences or take them in the ARC. Generally these will be given at lunch within a day or two of the absence. In most instances I will require you to take the test/quiz in the ARC within two days of the excused absence. Please talk to me at brunch or lunch about these personal needs so as not to detract from our general class time. Class will start on time, so be sensitive to others 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 Academic Honesty Policy (see pp. 33-34 in the Paly Handbook).
C. Materials Needed
1. Each day you should come to class with assigned reading selections (if applicable), paper, pencils, pens and any calendars or assignment sheets that I have given you. Please purchase a spiral notebook (70-100 pages) with holes and bring it everyday for in-class journal prompts, etc. Do not expect to borrow" paper or pens from me, your neighbor, or friends. You need to have these materials with you in every class every day. It is also wise to carry pocket size tissue with you as the school's supplies are limited.
2. You also need to purchase a separate binder (1 -1 1/2 inch) for this class. This binder may be kept at home until the announced due dates and when submitted will contain your class journal notebook, film responses and media articles in three separate sections.
3. Book(s) will be issued to you. Flashback, A Brief History of Film and The Critical Eye are the primary texts (these texts should be covered) in addition to the novels we will study. I fully expect that you will return them on the date requested and in the same condition as you received them. Find a safe place for your books at school and at home. Do NOT lose books; film texts are VERY expensive.
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. Staple all materials before class and note that I will not give credit to "nameless papers." 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. Usually 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 100-200 points. Your journal (binder with all major work) will be graded each quarter and this is a major grade (300 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," IF all requirements for an A are met and the work is of "A" quality. 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 full grade (A to B; B to C, etc.) for every day it is late. After three days I will not accept late work. Make it a goal to turn in all assignments on time and avoid disappointments.
3. The first and second quarter grades are averaged together to determine the semester grade. I give greater weight to the second quarter grade if you are "on the border" between two grades. For example, if you earned an "A-" second quarter and a "B+" first quarter you then earn an " A-" for the semester. Conversely, if you earn a "B+" second quarter and an "A-" first quarter, you would earn a "B+" for the 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. There will be several major papers assigned in addition to your film response journals, class work, quizzes and tests. There will also be a major research/creative project due as part of the final exam requirement for this course.
2. As appropriate, I will try to provide calendars or assignment sheets for different units. I will also post the week's work on the "white board." Refer to it daily for upcoming assignments and announcements. Occasionally I may 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.
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 semester!
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