"This above all: to thine own self be true" ~ William Shakespeare, Hamlet
Demeanor: Students are to be respectful of both the teacher and other students at all times. Students should also always be honest in their dealings with both the teacher and other students.
Preparedness: Students are to arrive in class prepared. Being prepared for class means that a student has:
the novel and/or textbook with which the class is working (JUNIORS: Yes, you need to lug that big textbook with you to class unless I tell you not to!)
a notebook dedicated solely to English (This notebook may be collected.)
her laptop computer in working order. (This means it should be with you, charged, and not banned from the school's network.)
any homework that is due, to be collected at the start of class
a pocket folder
a pen
a #2 pencil
Starting Class: Upon arriving in class, students are to take their assigned seats immediately and begin working on the “Notebook Question” assignment posted on the board in their notebooks. Please note that:
Each “Notebook Question” response should be dated and titled in the student’s notebook so that it may be found.
The “Notebook Question” response should be thorough. One sentence responses will never be enough.
Failure to complete or devote sufficient energy to the “Notebook Question” will result in a loss of class participation points.
Grading: Initially, quarter grades are calculated as follows, though the instructor reserves the right to alter these percentages should the need arise:
35% homework & quizzes
35% tests & projects
20% writing assignments
10% class participation and demeanor
Class Participation Scoring: Class participation is a measure of the sincerity, engagement, and character of a student in class. There are many methods of increasing your class participation score including, but not limited to, the following:
making significant contributions to class discussion (NOT simply parroting back what others have said)
thoroughly completing the "Notebook Question" every day
being attentive during class
taking notes
participation in group work
Likewise, class participation points can be lost in any of a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, the following:
lying
being disrespectful
being late to class
failure to have everything listed under "Preparedness"
failure to complete the "Notebook Question"
not paying attention during class discussion
not taking notes
talking when others are talking
using the computer for non-academic purposes
using the bathroom routinely (without a note from a doctor or the school nurse)
giving non-responsive answers when called upon, including such things as “what she said” or “I don’t know”
Lateness: You are late to class if you arrive more than five minutes after the designated start time of class according to your schedule.
Assignment Format: All homework, projects, and major writing assignments are due on the assigned due date at the beginning of class. A folder will be circulated around the room, and the work should be placed in that folder. There are specific requirements for written assignments. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in loss of points or refusal of submission. All written work must:
be submitted in print (*this may be subject to change).
utilize MLA style headers and margins.
be in Times New Roman font, 12 point size.
be double spaced.
avoid first and second person pronouns unless otherwise specified.
Late Homework: All late homework will be penalized 5 points for every calendar day it is late. After one week, late work will no longer be accepted for credit.
Quizzes: Unannounced quizzes may be given at any time. Students should assume that they will have a reading check quiz on all readings before they are discussed in class.
Absences: Please note the following with regard to being absent:
Readings - A student who is absent is responsible to remain caught up on all readings by consulting the homework section of the instructor’s website.
Test and quizzes - If a student is absent on the day of a test or quiz, she must make it up immediately when she returns to school.
Essays and homework - If a student is absent on the day an essay or other homework is due, the student must submit it on her first day back to class. Work submitted late due to absences will not incur late penalties, provided it is submitted immediately upon the student's return to class.
Group projects - If a student is part of a group presentation, and will be absent the day her group is presenting, she must find some way of providing her group with her contribution. Presentations will not be rescheduled due to absences.
Planned absences - If a student knows in advance she is going to be absent, she should see the instructor to make arrangements for making up as much of the work as possible prior to her departure.
Leaving Class: If you need to use the bathroom, take the purple pass from the board ledge and go. Please note the following:
Do not disrupt class with asking to use the bathroom.
Do not go anywhere besides the bathroom.
Do make an expedient return.
No more than one student is allowed out of the room at any given time.
Abuse of this privilege may result in having it revoked, either at a personal or class level.
Abuse of this privilege may result in a reduction of class participation credit.
If you need to go to the nurse or elsewhere, you must ask first. You may not leave class as it is beginning to go anywhere, including the Information Commons to pick up work. Once you are in the room, you are there to stay. If you need to go someplace, go before class begins.
Extra Help: Extra help is always available to any student that desires it. It is usually available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays after school in room 222. Quick questions can be answered every morning from 7:30 to 7:45 A.M. in room 222. Other arrangements can be made by appointment.
Personal Business: Problems, issues, or concerns that a student may have should be addressed before the start of class. This can be done via email or by seeing the teacher before homeroom begins in the morning. The instructor reserves the right to request proof for any issue described.
E-mail: Any e-mail to the teacher must have the student’s full name, class, and section in the subject line. Students may reach the instructor at kmathews@ihahs.com. Students should e-mail the instructor if:
they have questions about homework, class work, or any other coursework.
they are going to be absent and they know in advance.
they are absent for an extended period of time.
they have any problems, issues, or concerns that need to be addressed prior to the next class period.
they need to arrange extra help or a time to make up work.
Plagiarism and Cheating: All instances of plagiarism or other academic dishonesty will be referred to Mrs. Hals, the Dean of Students. Ignorance is not an acceptable excuse for plagiarism. If a student is not sure whether or not something would be considered plagiarism, she should ask. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Page design and layout by Mr. Kurt H Mathews, Jr.. Page last updated 09/07/2010.