EN09 Freshman English
Mrs. Schnuelle
2015-2016
Room 210
Contact Information
Email: dmschnuelle@mpsaz.org
Phone: 480-472-9485
Course Description
Freshman English is a year-long course that integrates the principles of world literature
and composition. The course content combines the study and practice of skills needed
for effective writing for a variety of purposes. Writing exercises emphasize the writing
process, research, critical and creative thinking, language skills, and are based on literary
models. Literature study introduces literary terminology, critical and analytical reading,
and appreciation of literature. Students will work hard to become more college and
career ready.
Survival Equipment
The following materials are expected each day in class:
1.
2.
3.
4.
a section in a binder or folder for English related work
your computer
blue or black pens
a pencil
***The following items are preferred, but not required: highlighter, correction tape, red
pen for correcting and editing.
Course Activities and Assignments
LITERATURE
Students will read and analyze works from a variety of authors and genres
including short stories, poetry, drama, non-fiction, and novels. Students are expected to
participate in class discussions of the literature and respond to the works in written form.
WRITING
Students will do quick writes and more extensive writing in the following modes:
expository, argumentative, persuasive, descriptive, narrative, and research. While writing,
students will use the writing process and evaluate their own and each other’s’ work using
rigorous rubrics. They will also review and refine grammar and sentence fluency skills.
VOCABULARY
Students will practice vocabulary words each week with activities and a weekly
quiz. Students are expected to use these words and skills in their writing and speech.
PROJECTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Students will complete projects and prepare presentations both individually and
in groups. Most research projects done in class will require an oral presentation.
TESTS
Major tests will be in the form of multiple choice, short answer, and essay, and will
occur after each unit. A final exam, given at each semester break will, most likely, be
cumulative.
VIDEOS
During the course of the year the following videos may be watched in class. Your
signature on this syllabus will count as your permission for your child to view any of these
videos. I will keep this form on file.
The Odyssey
(mini series)
Romeo and Juliet
(multiple versions)
**If new movies are added to the list, a letter will be sent home to obtain permission.
EXTRA CREDIT
A limited amount of extra credit may be offered during this course. Extra credit
will not be a substitute for completing assignments. In other words, extra credit will not
“save” you from a low grade.
Classroom Procedures and Routines
TURNING IN ASSIGNMENTS
 All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date (unless
otherwise specified).
 Assignments must be written legible and should be neat. If you do not follow
these guidelines I will not grade the assignment.
LATE WORK
 Excessive late work will no longer be accepted. Each student will receive five late
passes for the quarter. No late passes may be used on assignments in the writing
category. One pass will allow you to receive full credit on the assignment. The
other four late assignment passes will be for half credit only.
 In the real world, late work is not acceptable. To begin teaching you this
important life skill, late work will not become a habit in class. You only get the five
passes. Passes that are stolen or given away will not be taken. A record of the
passes you use will be kept. If you lose your passes you will not receive any
replacements. You have been warned.
ATTENDANCE/MAKEUP WORK
 If students are not in class, they miss important information. Daily attendance is
crucial to ensure student success. The school’s attendance policy will be strictly
followed.
 IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO COLLECT MAKE-UP WORK ON THE DAY HE OR
SHE RETURNS FROM AN ABSENCE. Make-up work can be found on the back
counter underneath the assignment calendar.
 If absent, you will have two days for each day you are absent to make up the
work. This should give you plenty of time to come in and see me if you need
additional help on the work you missed.
 When submitting make-up work, please write a reminder note under the heading
so that it is not counted as late. There will be two separate baskets for late work
and make-up work from an absence.
 Test and quiz make-ups are given by appointment. Make arrangements with me
on the day you return from your absence. If a student has an excused absence,
he or she has one week to make-up the test or quiz. Unexcused absences are
required to take the test or quiz the next day or take a zero.
GRADING
 Grades will be posted online on a weekly basis. If you have forgotten how to log
on to the Student Portal, see the Registrar in the attendance office.
 Grades will accumulate for the entire semester. They will not start over with the
new quarter. Therefore, you must work hard the entire semester.
 Grades will be based on the following percentages:
Essays and Writing Assignments: 40%
Tests, Quizzes, Projects: 30%
Classwork, Daily Work, Participation: 20%
Weekly Vocabulary Lessons and Quizzes: 10%
 Tests and quizzes will not be allowed to be retaken. However, essays that are
turned in on time and receive a grade of a C or below will be allowed to be
rewritten for a better grade after attending a conference/tutoring session with
me. The conference must occur within a week of the essay’s return to the
student, and the rewrite is due within a week of the conference.
TUTORING
If you have a question, need help with an assignment, want to review for an
upcoming test, need make-up work, or want to discuss your grade; don’t hesitate to
come see me! I am usually available anytime after 7:30 in the mornings and usually stay
until between 3:30-4:00 in the afternoon. Believe it or not, your success is important to me.
Expectations for Student Conduct
There are certain behaviors expected of you in my class. To save time on any
confusion, the following expected behaviors are required in my class. Participation points
will be given in class. You will not lose any of those points if you follow the conduct
expected of you.
1. Treat everyone in the room with respect.
o Speak politely and kindly.
o Listen when others are speaking. Avoid side conversations.
o Raise your hand to speak and wait to be called upon.
o Use appropriate language for a classroom setting.
o Value the safety of others by remaining in your seat until the teacher
dismisses you or allows you to get out of your seat.
2. Be prepared for class.
o Be here mentally.
o Gather materials quickly and quietly when asked to,
o Put away cell phones, ipods, mp3 players, or any other distractions.
3. Be on time.
o This means being in your seat when the bell rings.
o Being tardy equals a loss of participation points.
4. Participate in the learning process.
o Begin the warm-up immediately each day.
o Be engaged in the lesson/activity.
o Work quietly or with an “inside voice” when doing group work.
o At all times avoid interfering with other students’ right to learn.
5. Maintain the highest level of academic integrity.
o Cheating is completely unacceptable. If caught cheating, all individuals
involved will receive zero credit and an office referral.
Consequences
FIRST OFFENCE: Warning and conference with student.
SECOND OFFENCE: Parent contact and possible detention.
THIRD OFFENCE: Referral to administration.
Other Stuff to Know
GOING TO THE NURSE: Always ask me to go to the nurse if you are not feeling well. I will
give you pass to fill out.
GOING TO THE RESTROOM: You must sign out and then in when leaving and entering the
room. You will also be given six bathroom passes for each quarter. Unused passes can be
turned in for extra credits.
RETURNED WORK: I highly recommend that you keep all graded and returned papers.
These should be used for review and to verify your grade should I make a mistake. Yes, it
does happen on rare occasions.
FOOD AND DRINK: Water is acceptable. However, try to avoid having food and drink in
class.
SUBSTITUTES: If I know I will be gone in advance, I will tell you. I expect behavior with subs
to be respectful. Nothing makes me angrier than bad behavior with subs. The substitute
teacher has my full support. If you are on his or her list of misbehaving students, it will
result in a referral to administration. You have been warned.
LEAVING CLASS: I dismiss you, not the bell. Do not start packing until I indicate that you
are free to do so. If you begin to pack early, you can leave class after everyone else.
Student and Parent/Guardian Acknowledgment Form
I, ____________________________, acknowledge that I have read all of the classroom rules
(Printed Student Name)
and procedures and understand the consequences if I do not follow them.
Student Signature: ____________________________________________ Date:__________________
I, ____________________________, acknowledge that I have read all of the following rules
(Printed Parent/Guardian Name)
and the video list for my child’s class. I give him/her permission to view the videos and
understand the consequences if my child should not follow classroom rules and
procedures.
Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________________________ Date:__________________
Parent Contact Information
NAME: _____________________________________________________________________________
PHONE NUMBER:
HOME: __________________________________ CELL: ____________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
____________________________________________________________________________________
BEST MODE OF CONTACT (CIRCLE YOUR PREFERENCE):
PHONE CALL
OR
E-MAIL
BEST TIME TO CONTACT YOU?
______________________________________________________________________________________
COMMENTS/CONCERNS?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________