NOTES ON HONORS EXPECTATIONS AND STANDARDS:
1. Students in an Honors class are expected to know the eight parts of speech upon arrival to my classroom. If students need to brush up on the eight parts of speech, please see the grammar links provided on the EOC Review page (see the bar to the left).
2. Vocabulary will be assigned for each major text we read; there will always be at least ten words. Students will receive an assignment to complete for vocabulary, which is attached here:
Vocabulary Assignment. The format of the vocabulary quiz is as follows: there will be excerpts of news articles containing the words on the quiz; however, the vocabulary words have been replaced with blanks (there will be a word bank). The goal is for students to use context clues in the excerpted articles to discern which word fits best in the blanks. This is a reading strategy more than a memorization skill. The goal is for students to become better readers rather than skipping over words which are unfamiliar. I've proposed that the best way for students to study these words is to stick them on the refrigerator and use them while at home. This is a way for parents to be involved and model as well--you can use the words in coversation at home! This will hopefully lead to students actually learning to use the words in speaking and writing.
3. I require that all students not only be able to use punctuation correctly in their writing but also to know why that particular punctuation is required. My thought on this is that I can't have a conversation with a student about his/her writing if he/she doesn't actually know the rules. Have your child write their other homework assignments in complete sentences; have them edit their own writing or someone else's (in a newspaper, in a magazine, or on a website)! Sit down and work with your child on these skills.
**If you would like copies of your child's past quizzes, please email me. They may "check them out," but they may not keep them.
4. Honors English requires INDEPENDENT work, INDEPENDENT thought, CREATIVITY, MATURITY, and a genuine interest in learning--NOT JUST INTEREST IN A GOOD GRADE. Honors requires that students go beyond the expectation; if they're unsure of something, they need to seek the answers on their own before asking. Then if the answers can't be found, they need to take the initiative to ask me. Emailing me about homework is fine if it is before 5:00.
5. The grading scale for my class is as follows:
A= 93-100 (excellent)
B= 85-92 (above average)
C= 78-84 (AVERAGE)
D= 70-77 (below average)
F= 69-below
**To receive an "A" in my class, a student truly does have to show "excellent work." Just meeting the expectation/standard is "average" work.
As of October 26, 2011, the following changes have been made in my availability schedule before and after school in order to protect my planning and grading time.
1. If you are one of the students who stay after school to complete homework, I have provided a space for you in the media center. You need to be there by 3:20. You may email me while down there to let me know if you’re having trouble, or you may come up at 3:40-3:55 to ask any questions. You must return to the library to complete your work. It is up to you to use the time wisely.
2. TUTORING: Only on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon (3:15-4:15). You must let me know you’re coming, or you can’t come.
3. MAKE-UP WORK: Only on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon (3:15-4:15). You must let me know you’re coming, or you can’t come.
4. HOMEWORK HELP: You may still come in at 7:30 each day before school IF you email me prior to coming in.
5. PARENT CONFERENCES: I am available for parent conferences on Wednesday afternoons from 2:00-4:15. Please email me or call me to schedule a conference.
