WESTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack”. R. Kipling
English SOL II & English III, IV and ESL Reading II COURSE SYLLABUS
2014-2015
Mrs. Edith Gonzalez
EGONZA15@houstonisd.org
(281) 920-8000, ext 6029
Class Times: 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th period
Conference Time: 7th period
Tutorial Times: During Lunch or after school by
Appointment
Welcome to Westside High School! I look forward to getting to know each of you, and the
opportunity to expand your minds when it comes to language arts. English is about way more
than grammar, vocabulary, and literature-it is about learning key critical thinking and analytical
skills that extend beyond the classroom. In class, we will be exploring a number of key essential
questions that are relevant to your everyday lives. As a class, we are going to use literature as
the lens through which we explore these questions, and you are going to develop important skills
that will enable you to consider various perspectives-all while formulating your own viewpoint.
This class is going to challenge you to go beyond simple responses. You are going to have to put
in a lot of effort, but I am confident that what you put in, you will get out. So let’s get started! The
personal and academic decision you make this year will determine the opportunities and paths
that will be available to you later on. You have the power to determine you own success in this
course. “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
Please read my policies and procedures for the 2014-2015 school year. Read them with your
parent(s)/guardian(s) then sign and date the bottom portion and return. This is a graded
assignment, if returned on time, the first recorded grade will be 100%. Due by September 2,
2014.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Students will have multiple opportunities to develop and expand their skills in the language arts:
reading, writing, listening, speaking. Students will read short stories, novels, plays, and non-fiction
and will write in a variety of formats. Vocabulary enrichment will be a major focus, along with the
mechanics of writing: grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage.
**My weekly lesson plans will be posted on my website at the beginning of each week.
SUPPLIES AND RESOURCES:
Required Supplies
To be successfully in this course, students will need:
 1 binder or folder with dividers to organize schedules, lesson notes and handouts,
homework and quizzes.
 1 standard composition book to be used as a journal and interactive notebook (It will stay
in my classroom through the year.)
 Pens, highlighters, pencils, erasers
 Optional: Translator and/or bilingual dictionary
Additional Print Resources

Textbooks: All reading material will be supplied by teacher, some of the sources that I will
use for the various lessons and activities will be from the following textbooks:
English 2 – World Literature: Holt McDougal
Edge: Hampton Brown
English 3 – American Literature: Holt McDougal
English 4 – British Literature: Holt McDougal
Reading 2 – Various novels and short stories provided by teacher
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
General Classroom Rules:

Make sure you are aware of and following all school policies and Westside Way policies,
especially tardies, dress code, electronics, and I.D’s.
 Arrive to class on time and prepared to work when the tardy bell rings.
 Bring the ”Essential Eight” to class with you every day:
 Yourself
 Your mind
 Your creativity
 Your experience
 Your tools (your school supplies)
 Your respect
 Your enthusiasm
 Your best!
I’m sure there are probably other things I could list; however if you bring all of these things into
the classroom, I have no doubt that you will do well in this class. Taking responsibility for your
education is the first step to academic success and excellence.
Grading Policy:
Major Grade Assignments will comprise 70% of the 6 Weeks Average, while Minor Grade
Assignments will comprise 30% of the average. For minor grade assignments, the score will
reflect the score earned. For major grade assignments, assignments earning a score lower than
50 will be reflected as a 50 in time for publication of report card. This may not be reflected at the
time of progress reports.
Only major grades are eligible for a retake to earn a score up to an 80, and students are limited to
one retake per six weeks per subject. The retake will not be the same as the original assessment,
but will be of similar length and subject matter. In order to be eligible for a retake:


the student must have earned lower that a 75 on the original
the student must attend a tutorial, complete an alternative assignment, complete
necessary homework, or complete test corrections, as determined by the teacher
 the student must inform the teacher of intent to complete a retake
 the student must complete the retake within one week of the original grade being posted
in Gradespeed (Parent-Student Connect)
***If you have not already done so, please create an account in Parent-Student Connect so that
you can monitor your child’s grades as the grading period progresses***
Cheating, plagiarism, and other academic fraud and dishonesty will NOT be tolerated. If a
student is caught cheating, plagiarizing, or committing any form of academic dishonesty, it will
result in a “0” on the assignment and no opportunity to redo that assignment. It will also result in a
phone call or email home, a discipline referral to the dean, and an automatic “P” in conduct for the
grading cycle. See the Westside Honor Code for more details on what constitutes cheating,
plagiarism, and academic fraud.
Classwork:
We will regularly engage in a variety of activities during the class period. Any work that I assign in
class will be due at the end of the period. Students who do not turn in assignments will have the
option of turning it in for reduced credit at the teacher’s discretion.
Make-up Work:
Students who are absent have the opportunity to make up any missed work.
The amount of days a student is permitted to turn in make-up work correlates to the amount of
days a student was absent. (For example, if a student was absent for two days, he or she has two
days to turn in make-up work. Please communicate with me about making up quizzes or test, as
those will need to be made up during tutorials or before/after school.
Please fill this out and have your son/daughter return it to me tomorrow to confirm that
you have received and read the syllabus and policies for class.
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We have read and understand the English Course Syllabus:
Period: _______________ Student Name (printed) __________________________________
Student’s email address________________________________________________________
Student’s phone # ____________________________________________________________
Student Signature: _____________________________________ Date: _________________
Parent/Guardian Name: _______________________________________________________
Email address _______________________________________________________________
Phone # ____________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________________ Date: _________________