Sophomore English: EN47
Classroom: 127
Teacher: Mrs. Erika Brantley
Phone: (480) 472-5127
Course Length: Two Semesters/1 English Credit
Email: ELBrantley@mpsaz.org
Office Hours: Daily (Except Wednesday) Before school and After school or Lunch by appointment
DESCRIPTION
Sophomore English is the examination of the principles of literature and composition. In
this course, you will read a variety of informational and literary texts, as well as compose
pieces of writing for broad purposes. Throughout this course, you will interact with
fellow students and language in many ways: reading, writing, speaking, listening, and
language. You will compose a variety of texts for a diverse audience, and you will
participate in speaking and listening activities through class discussion, group work,
dramatizations, and presentations.
TOPICS & TEXTS
GRADING
Grading Scale:
90% -100% = A (4.0)
80% - 89% = B (3.0)
70% - 79% = C (2.0)
60% - 69% = D (1.0)
<59% = F
Your grade is weighted PER SEMESTER as follows:
Quarter 1 & Quarter 2 (90%)
Final Exam (10%)
Late Work
All assignments must be submitted on time. Any work taken after the due date is considered late. For
Long-Term Assignments & Projects, you must fill out a Missing Work Slip if you do not turn in the work
the day it is due. I will keep this on file until the work is turned in. For regular evaluated work, late
assignments are worth a maximum of 50%. For long-term writing assignments, a letter grade will be
deducted each day that it is late (after five days, you can earn a maximum of 50%). Students who are
absent have as many days as they were gone to make up the work. It is YOUR responsibility to get late
work to me! NO late work is accepted after the end of the quarter.
ATTENDANCE & PRESENCE
Tardy Policy
 Coming in one second after the bell rings and less than five minutes after class is considered a
tardy.
 For every third tardy, the consequence is lunch detention.
***A WORD ABOUT TARDIES***: The greatest consequence of a tardy is built right into being late for
class—and that is that when you are tardy, you miss out on valuable learning time. Please make
an effort each day to get to class on time.
Absences
 Students are expected to observe the Attendance Policy in the Mesa High School 2015-2016
Handbook.
 If you know you will be absent, please get your assignments to me before class! This can include
emailing me your assignment or having a sibling bring it to me before school.
 For work missed during an absence, you have as many days as you were gone to make up the
work.
Bathroom
 Be mindful of your decision to go to the bathroom in class. Make sure that your bathroom break
is not interrupting a lively class discussion or right in the middle of Mrs. Brantley delivering
important information!
 When you use the restroom, ask for permission from Mrs. Brantley first, then take the hall pass
and sign out.
o The only thing that you bring to the restroom is the pass!
CONDUCT
Professionalism
In Mrs. Brantley’s class, all students are expected to act with professionalism. This means:
 Bringing all necessary materials to class (binder, place to keep notes, writing supplies, and your
homework)
 Adhering to MESA behavior at all times in all spaces.
 Using appropriate and academic language.
Plagiarism & Cheating
Plagiarism is committed whenever you take something from another source and claim the work as your
own. Cheating is turning in work that you completed dishonestly and should not earn credit for.
Consequences for cheating include:
 Loss of credit for the assignment
 Loss of credit for the course
 A failing grade for the course
Expectations
Students are expected to be MESA in all spaces of the school at all times! This is no different in Mrs.
Brantley’s class.
Consequences
Students who do not follow expectations will face consequences. These will include:
 Contacting parents/guardians
 Meetings
 Referrals
 Being sent to another classroom
Technology
Technology should only be used for educational purposes (working on an assignment, looking up a
word in the dictionary, checking grades). Otherwise, phones should be silent and put away unless
otherwise directed by Mrs. Brantley.
EXTRA HELP
As a student in Mrs. Brantley’s class, it is your responsibility to seek out extra help. There is always tutoring
available before or after school and lunch by appointment (but please let me know if you are coming to
see me!).
Sophomore English-EN47
Mesa High School Room 127
ELBrantley@mpsaz.org
Mrs. Erika L. Brantley
(480) 472- 5127
Agreement Form for ________________________________________________ (PRINT Student Name)
My parent(s)/guardian and I have read the above information, examined the course
outline and frequently asked questions pages. We understand and will abide by the
class expectations of the Sophomore English EN 47 course at Mesa High School.
_________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________
(Signature of Student)
(Signature of Parent)
**Please return this signed from to Mrs. Brantley