Blocks 3A & 4A  2015-2016  MRS. SANCHEZ  ROOM 611
Amanda.Sanchez@lcps.org
 571.252.1900
~
This school year 11 th grade students will study a survey of American literature, including contributions of various cultures and connections to historical context. There will be focus on application of literary terms, analysis, and critique. Students will also be expected to read daily to complete independent reading goals and ongoing projects. Our writing focus will continue to build on writing skills and assignments will include creative writings, essays, speeches, and SOL practice essays as we prepare for the test this year.
C L A S S R O O M E X P E C T A T I O N S : M A K E - U P W O R K :
There is a difference between doing the homework that was assigned the day you were absent and finding a way to make up the instruction you missed. Homework and all major assignments, projects, and tests w/ study guides are posted on my VISION page as they are assigned, so that is certainly a good place to look if you are absent and want to try to stay caught up with assignments before you return. However, class notes, discussions, group activities, projects, etc. are the most important things that need to be made up so that you can learn the material you missed while you were out. Please use your FLEX time to work with me to go over notes, review new concepts, complete practice activities, look at graded work, etc.
It is the responsibility of the student to check for missed work upon returning to class after an absence. Please see the What Did I Miss? file in the back of the room if you need a copy of any materials in order to complete your make-up work. Students have the same number of days to complete work as they were absent – for example, if you are absent one day, you have one extra day to complete the missing work. If you miss a previously announced due date, test, or quiz, you should be prepared to turn that assignment in or complete that assessment the day you return.
1.
Students will take responsibility for personal success by bringing ALL materials to class.
2.
Students will respect the opinions and property of others.
3.
Students will be active, productive class participants.
4.
Students will follow all class procedures and directions as well as all school policies.
C O N S E Q U E N C E S :
1 st Offense - Verbal Warning
2 nd Offense - Lunch Detention
3 rd Offense - Parent Contact
4 th Offense - Office Discipline Referral
G R A D I N G
: All grades will be calculated on a points system. Points will be given for class activities, quizzes, tests, projects, and essays.
Rubrics will be used for individual assignments to provide clear expectations for students. All grades are available to students & parents through the
Phoenix grading portal. Phoenix will be updated weekly. An assignment marked with a Z (zero) means the student didn’t turn in something the class it was due. (This will help students & parents clearly see what work is currently missing.) The Z will be removed and replaced with the points earned once the assignment is completed by the student. Formal SOL essay writings will be assessed using the scoring method from the standards test.
Students are expected to complete work by the due date unless other arrangements have been made.
Assignments will be accepted after the due date, but may be subjected to point penalty.
*Please make sure to review, sign, and return the grading policies handout which contains more specifics.

R E T A K E P O L I C Y : Retake opportunities on certain objectives are available at my discretion and are generally limited to major assignments including tests, quizzes, and writing assignments.
Students are required to consult with me about retake opportunities in order to determine a course of action; before retakes will be given, students will provide evidence of practice and study. Requests are student-driven in an effort to foster student growth and development. Retakes must be completed within one week of receiving feedback.
C O U R S E M A T E R I A L S A N D
R E S O U R C E S :
Various fiction & non-fiction texts will be taught through whole class instruction, small group discussions, and independent reading assignments. Those texts will be used to teach and practice active reading skills, critical thinking skills, and literary analysis techniques. Those texts may include plays, poetry, short stories, memoirs, and novels, such as but not limited to:
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Twain
 A Child Called It – Peltzer
 The Crucible – Miller
 Great Gatsby – Fitzgerald
 A Raisin in the Sun – Hansberry
 The Scarlett Letter – Hawthorne
S u p p l i e s :
 3-Ring Binder  Filler Paper
 Dividers  Independent Reading Material
O f f i c e H o u r s :
I will be available for extra help during FLEX, 8:00-9:00 AM Tuesday &
Wednesday, or by appointment.
A+ 98-100
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F
93-97
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-81
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
0-59
GRADING SCALE
O V E R V I E W O F
A C T I V I T I E S A N D
A S S I G N M E N T S :
T h e f o l l o w i n g a s s i g n m e n t s a n d a c t i v i t i e s w i l l m a k e u p a s t u d e n t ’ s o v e r a l l g r a d e .
Formative Assessments:
 Warm-up activities and exit
 Homework tickets assignments quizzes
Drafts of major writing assignments going through the writing process comprehension activities and


 Reading
Informal or reflective writing prompts
Summative Assessments:
 Tests & quizzes  Final versions of major writing assignments
(analytical papers, research project, etc)  Reading comprehension and analysis projects/packets/presentations
For easy access to homework, class events, and reminders, follow me on twitter:
@MrsSanchezTHS
#11H3A (Hashtag for Period 3)
#11H4A (Hashtag for Period 4)