Welcome to Pre-AP English I
This syllabus includes some helpful information you’ll want to reference throughout the year. Feel free
to contact me with any questions or concerns. I look forward to getting to know you, and to helping you be
successful during and after high school. My contact information is below.
Drue Harris
dharri31@houstonisd.org
Conference availability:
3rd period (Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 9:50 – 10:40); or by appointment.
Tutorials:
During lunch on Mondays and Wednesday (You must obtain a pass from me to attend.)
Course Description:
The 9th grade Pre-AP English department provides curriculum and instruction to prepare students for
success in subsequent AP English courses. The pace is brisk and expectations are high. This is a pivotal
course that builds a solid foundation of study, writing, and analytical skills. Students will be expected to read,
understand, and analyze fiction, literary non-fiction, poetry, and drama. They will be asked to answer short
answer questions, create their own works, and analyze literature in many different forms. They will also be
expected to recognize and correct writing errors. It is a routine and a standard of this classroom that students
will practice thinking critically about literature and writing.
My weekly lesson plans will be posted on my website at the beginning of each week.
How to find them:
1. Go to westsidewolves.org
2. Click on the “Faculty” tab near the top.
3. Click on “Staff”
4. Find and click on my name.
5. The link to my lesson plans is in the left column! 
You should gather the following items for use in class this year. Bring them to every class.
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A five-subject spiral
Blue/black pens, pencils, and highlighters
A binder AND dividers (We will set the dividers up together)
Novels will be announced throughout the year.
Please bring Ender’s Game to class every day for the 1st 6 weeks.
The following is a brief summary of some behavioral expectations:
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Be on time and prepared.
I begin class promptly every day. The time allotted to you for “Do-Firsts” is minimal, and every second
counts. Also, be sure to bring your materials. I do not allow students out of class to go to a locker.
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Be kind.
My classroom is a safe place. We are never rude or disrespectful. This applies to your relationship with
me, but it also applies to the relationship you have with your peers.
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Be proactive about your learning!
There is no extra credit. If you feel like you need help, come get a tutorial pass from me!
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Follow all Westside Way policies.
WHS English I Grading Policy
Major Grade assignments will comprise 60% of the 6-weeks average, while Minor Grade assignments will
comprise 40% of the average. For minor and major grade assignments, scores lower than a 50 will be reflected
as a 50 in time for publication of report cards. This may not be reflected at the time of progress reports.
Only major grade assignments are eligible for a retake, and Pre-AP students may earn a score up to a 75. The
retake will not be the same as the original assessment, but will be of similar length, rigor, and content.
In order to be eligible for a retake, the student must fulfill the following requirements:
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The student must have earned lower than a 75 on the original assessment.
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 in a timely manner 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 you can
monitor your child’s grades as each 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. There will be no opportunity to redo that assignment. It will also result in a phone call or
e-mail home, a discipline referral to the dean, and an automatic “P” in conduct for that grading cycle. See the
Westside Honor Code for more details on what constitutes cheating, plagiarism, and academic fraud.
Classwork/Homework
Work done in class is expected at the end of the period and will not be taken late. For outside of class
assignments (homework, projects, papers, etc.), the due date will be communicated well in advance, and this
date will be displayed on the board and/or on the assignment itself. Students who do not turn in assignments at
the indicated date and time will fill out and turn in a “Yellow Card” in its place (to be described in class), and
then will have the option of turning in the assignment for reduced credit, as described below.
Late Work Policy
Work will be accepted for two days after an assignment is due. After that, the assignment will not be accepted.
For each day an assignment is late, the grade will be reduced by 10% of the earned score. For example, if a
student has an assignment due on Monday, but they don't turn it in until Tuesday, that's minus 10% of the
grade. If they bring it on Wednesday (two days late), that's minus 20% of the earned grade.
Days late are considered absolute. This means that weekends and days the student is not scheduled to attend
class count toward the number of days late. It is expected that a student make every effort to turn in a missing
assignment, including bringing it to my class before or after school, or emailing me a word file or scan of the
assignment. (Yes, this means that if an assignment is due Friday and is not turned in, I will not accept it on
Monday. It will need to be sent to me over the weekend.)
This policy honors the effort required to meet a time constraint that is ever-present in AP and
college level courses and any chosen career path.
Make-Up Work
Students who are absent have the opportunity to make up any missed work. For each day a student is absent,
he or she has that number of days to complete any missed work. (For example, if a student was absent two
days, he or she has two days to complete and turn in any missed assignments) It is the student’s responsibility
to come to tutorials to learn the content he or she missed and to reschedule any missed quizzes or tests.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please fill out the following form with the information you’d like to give and return it to me. This form
confirms that you have received and read the syllabus and policies for English I. I look forward to a wonderful
year of English, and please do not hesitate to call me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Drue Harris
Student’s Name ______________________________________________________________
Student’s E-Mail Address_______________________________________________________
Home Phone Number _________________________________________________________
Mother’s Name ______________________________________________________________
Mother’s E-Mail Address _______________________________________________________
Work Phone Number __________________________________________________________
Father’s Name _______________________________________________________________
Father’s E-Mail Address ________________________________________________________
Work Phone Number __________________________________________________________
Guardian’s Name _____________________________________________________________
Guardian’s E-Mail Address ______________________________________________________
Work Phone Number __________________________________________________________
Relationship _________________________________________________________________