Dear Students and Parents/Guardians:
Welcome to the new school year and Mrs. Martin’s 11th grade American
Literature class. I have taught English for Mesa Public Schools since 1995, and
I look forward to starting an enjoyable, successful new year with your student.
COURSE DESCRIPTION and OBJECTIVES
Description
In this semester course, we will study themes in American Literature from the songs of the
Native Americans to the 20th century novelists, and we will respond to that literature in writing,
both formally and informally.
Objectives
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To identify and analyze themes in American Literature, including parallels between history and literature.
To gain critical understanding and techniques in formal essay writing
To gain skills in critical reading and thinking of both fiction and non-fiction, as well as poetry
To enhance literary understanding and analysis through reading, discussion, tests, and essays.
We will be working hard this semester, so it is important that each student has some
basic information in order to be successful. Those important areas are as follows:
GRADING
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Grades can be viewed on the portal at all times. A simple, traditional grading percentile is used:
90-100% - A; 80-89% - B; 70-79% - C; etc.
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Occasionally, students may be given an opportunity to rewrite a piece. This opportunity will
require scheduling time to speak to me before/after school about an earnest plan for
improvement; rewritten essays will require an additional page of self-reflection and evaluation.
The goal is mastery of form and content.
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Extra credit will be offered from time to time, but will not be a substitute for missed class work,
lack of effort and/or participation when in class.
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Late work (work not present in class when I collect it) is NOT accepted per department policy. Plan
ahead! Utilize the time given in class and organize your time outside of class.
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Makeup work (due to excused absence) may be made up for full credit. It is the student’s
responsibility to pick up missed work – there is a convenient pick up location just inside my door.
For missing notes and handouts, the buddy system works well, too.
→ Students have as many days as they were excused absent to make up work/tests/etc.
→ Tests that have been planned in advance are expected to be taken with the class,
especially if the absence was only one day.
→ Make arrangements to have work submitted if you know in advance you’ll be
gone.
RULES
Students must abide by all Red Mountain handbook rules. Our classroom rules are:
Specific day-to-day procedures will be covered in class during the first weeks.
Sweep: Students who are placed in Sweep due to tardiness are still responsible for turning in any
assignments due that day and must check with the teacher on the SAME day for tests/quizzes/assignments
given that day. A sweep absence does NOT count as an excused absence.
Plagiarism: Anyone caught copying an assignment (from ANY source, including copying from
classmate’s student guides and/or letting another student copy from work to complete theirs) or cheating
on a test will receive a zero.
a. If you let another student copy your work, both get a zero.
b. If you “work together” on an assignment, make sure your answers are worded uniquely and
differently enough to reflect your personal input.
Office Hours: I am available from 7:30-8:00 and from 3:00-3:30 or by appointment; check with me
regarding any scheduling conflicts. I encourage students to email me as I check my email often.
MATERIALS
1. A small 3 ring binder with divisions for GENERAL, NOTES, ASSIGNMENTS (3 dividers in all); this will be
turned in occasionally for binder checks, so it should be exclusive to this course.
2. A good supply of loose-leaf paper (no spiral paper is accepted). Keep in binder.
3. Blue/black/red ink pens, #2 pencils, and highlighters.
*While these items are not required, many students have found them to be beneficial (and they fit into backpacks easily, too):
Post-it notes, pencil sharpener, colored pencils, small stapler, “white-out” correction tape (less messy than whiteout pen)
Students will check out a copy of McDougal Littell’s American Literature for home usage.
Other texts will be distributed throughout the semester.
If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to call or send an email. Email is preferred, but
I will return all messages promptly. Please check out my website for additional information:
http://www.mpsaz.org/rmhs/staff/mamartin I look forward to working with your student this
year.
Sincerely,
Melissa Martin
amartin@mpsaz.org
480.472.8163
Please sign acknowledgement sheet and return to room 608 by ______________________
This copy of the
Welcome letter should
be filed behind the
General tab in the
student’s binder.
Additional copies of this
letter may be printed out
on my website.