English 2P (10th-Grade English)
Instructor: Matthew K. Burger
mburger@ggusd.us
714-663-6415 (room 806)
My name is Matthew Burger and I am very excited to be a part of the Rancho HS team! I have been
teaching various grade levels of high school and middle school English since 2008, first in the Los
Angeles Unified School District, briefly out of state in Portland, Oregon, and most recently in Long
Beach Unified. I did my undergraduate studies at New York University and the University of Hawaii,
where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Russian. I earned my teaching credential
in Secondary English from California State University Long Beach in 2011. I have also lived and worked
in Russia for two years as a journalist and intimately understand the demands of learning a second
language and being culturally sensitive.
Please do not ever hesitate to call, email or stop by. I look forward to meeting you and making
2014-15 a productive, educational and exciting year for your child!
MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:
I will make every effort to ensure that all students are given equal opportunities to learn, engage and
contribute positively to the classroom and to their academic/intellectual development. I believe all students have
potential; it’s my job to strengthen their abilities within the area of English Language Arts in order to help them
make the most of their talents.
I will adhere to all Garden Grove Unified course/grading guidelines as well as the district’s
curriculum and pacing guides as outlined for this course.
COURSE OVERVIEW: (as per GGUSD Office of Curriculum and Instruction):
A major goal of this course is to stimulate thinking and personal response through active, creative use of
all of the language arts. Composition is integrated with critical thinking, reading, listening, and speaking
skills through a standards-based program. Reading and study of literature provides students with insights
to think critically about personal and universal issues. Students’ reading skills are reinforced using researchbased strategies. The writing process is the focus of the composition program in order to enhance writing
fluency and effectiveness. English language conventions, including grammatical correctness and spelling,
are taught through literature and composition as well as by direct instruction. Students receive opportunities
to enjoy additional reading experiences, to pursue individual study, and to use research materials in
preparation of oral and written projects and/or papers. Students also receive opportunities to use technology
and become familiar with workplace documents. A variety of researched-based learning strategies and
teaching methodologies will be implemented to meet the needs of all students.
COLLEGE PREP:
This course meets the entrance requirements of the University of California and California State
University.
TEXTBOOK:
Holt Literature and Language Arts, Fourth Course, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2003
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RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:
Lined paper OR a spiral bound notebook for class writings, notes
Pen or pencil (sharpened please)
A great attitude
Free reading material (books or magazines)
(over)
GRADING:
The following department-wide grading scale will be used:
Marks/Definition:
5- Advanced
Grading Scale:
4.00-5.00 = A
4- Proficient
3.25-3.99 = B
3- Basic
2.50-3.24 = C
2- Below Basic
1.75-2.49 = D
1- Far Below Basic
0-1.74
=F
GENERAL GRADING BREAKDOWN:
40% Formative -- Ex: Classwork, notes, notebook, rough draft essays, independent work, group work,
presentations, quizzes.
60% Summative -- Ex: Projects, final essays, presentations, tests, and quizzes.
HOMEWORK:
Homework will primarily consist of finishing assignments – both formative and summative – that are
begun in class under my direction. This includes readings, short and long writing assignments as well as
any worksheets and/or projects begun in class.
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STUDENT BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS:
Respect everyone in the classroom, including yourself
Remain seated unless Mr. Burger says otherwise
When others are speaking, do not interrupt. Raise your hand to speak.
Be on time.
Be prepared: eat well BEFORE class
Keep iPods, cell phones or nuisance items OUT of SIGHT and in NON-DISTRACTION MODE
during class time. There will be select opportunities to use devices for research, but ONLY with
Mr. Burger’s explicit permission.
Do NOT interfere with other students’ right to learn.
ABSENCES:
It is the student’s responsibility to find out what has been missed and make it up promptly. I will do my
best to maintain an “Absence File” for work/content covered every day. I will also accept late work for
excused absences or exceptional circumstances. But ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to email,
call or conference with me regarding work/content that is missed. Excessive absences can severely impact
grades and will result in calls home and/or referral to the school’s Attendance Intervention Team. Chronic
truancy is also against the law.
ADDITIONAL HELP, CONTACT:
I am always at school by 7 a.m. in room 806 if you need help or advice, and I am often here after
3 p.m. as well. I check email several times daily and will promptly return phone calls or
messages. I will also do my best to keep my webpage at updated at
www.ranchoalamitoshs.com/apps/staff/
Again, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call, email or stop by my room, which
is located on the side of the campus closest to the football field. Thank you!
STUDENT, PARENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
I have read and understand Mr. Burger’s English 2P Course Expectations for the school year
2015-16 at Rancho Alamitos High School.
Please return this no later than Friday, September 18, 2015.
Student Name (please print):___________________________________________
Student Signature:____________________________________________________
Parent Name (please print):____________________________________________
Parent Signature_____________________________________________________
Best contact (phone, email or
both)______________________________________________________________
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