Room 106 William Cutler
Contact Info:
704-873-2181 (school)
This class is designed to improve one’s grammar, reading and writing skills using selections from a variety of media types and countries. Students in this class should keep in mind that this course is not an EOC course, so completion of the course requires an overall passing grade.
(Note- this is only a brief summary of the actual document. For further information check out the official ISS English I Curriculum Guide online or ask me for a complete copy)
Students in English I will integrate all language arts skills gained throughout their education including the reading of informational and literary texts, the recognition and use of language and literary styles, and the production of argumentative, expository/informational, narrative and research compositions. The curriculum both affirms these skills and equips students to be critical readers and thinkers. Students will examine different writing while exploring literary and informational sources (newspapers, magazines, internet articles, etc.). Students will:
Read and analyze informational and literary texts.
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Explain and analyze different writing styles for usage in class including research and argumentative compositions.
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Produce reflections and reactions to texts and issues in written and oral formats.
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Demonstrate, edit, and speak using standard grammatical conventions.
1. Pen or Pencil
2. 2 inch or larger 3-Ring Binder
3. Loose-leaf paper (college-ruled)
1. Be on time
(this means entire body in the classroom before the tardy bell)
2. Be prepared
(Have all materials and text ready when tardy bell rings. School policy states that
failure to comply will result in SWAG Detention. Failure to go to detention will result in
ALC the following day. BE PREPARED!!!)
3. 3 bathroom passes per nine weeks
(Failure to comply will result in SWAG Detention)
4. All WIHS rules will be followed- check online handbook (school website)
5. Classroom rules:
-Talk only at appropriate times
-Respect for others and their property
(includes classroom property like textbooks, desks, etc.)
-Mr. Cutler dismisses class, not the bell
-Food and drink are not allowed, however, water is fine
-NO SLEEPING

All classroom disruptions, problems, or plain violations of the rules will be dealt with on an individual basis. I tend to deal first offenses a lunch detention, and then following offenses are directed toward school administration.
As stated in each student’s handbook, classroom behavior is based largely on a set of rules and standards that students are expected to meet. In this classroom school policy and rules apply every day.
When a student is in class, they are expected to participate in all classroom activities and assignments. Failure to participate will result in a lunch detention.
Students in my class are also expected to be respectful of all individuals as well as to be respectful of each individual’s learning opportunity. This means that disruptions of any type that impede the class’s goals or activities will result in a lunch detention. Disruptions include but are not limited to the following:
-Refusal to participate in class (not working on current assignment)
-Sleeping in class
-Reading or working on non-English II related books or assignments
-Insubordination of classroom assignments
- Not being prepared for classroom activities (not having pencil, paper)
-Blurting out during a lesson without being called upon
-Talking to others during inappropriate times
If all the above could be stated in one sentence, it would read, “Students who do not respect others or the learning opportunity available will be punished accordingly.”
A large portion of classroom assignments will involve writing, either as critical reading responses, journal entries, or essays. There will also be quizzes and tests, the former to check on reading comprehension and grammar, the latter covering specific unit materials. All work will be turned in on time or be penalized ten points each day late.
If a student misses a day it is up to them to get the make-up work from the teacher. Students requesting make-up work will need to meet with Cutler during SWAG for a minimum of 30 minutes.
However, each absence will be treated as an individual case based on the circumstances. When the student meets with me a timetable will be set. Any missed quizzes or tests must be made up within
a week upon the student’s return from an absence or series of absences.
A: 100-93
B: 92-85
C: 84-77
Participation: 15%
Class Work/ Home Work: 25%
Quizzes: 25%
D: 76-70
CR (Credit Recovery): 69-60
Tests/ Projects: 35%
Throughout the semester there will be opportunities for extra credit; however, requests for extra credit will always be denied. If a student has earned the opportunity to work for extra credit, then the option will be available. Typical extra-credit assignments include individual reading assignments, workbook activities, or proofreading of class materials.

Writing Baseline
Assessment
-Argumentative compositions
Pre-writing strategies
-Writing for clarity and coherence (introduction, conclusion, and body paragraph strategies)
-Editing, proofreading strategies
-Research writing strategies (generating questions, evaluating sources, developing an outline, etc.)
-Group research project
-Mid-term Assessment
-Baseline Assessment
-Parts of Speech
(pronoun-antecedent agreement, possessive nouns, spelling and usage, verb tense)
-Correct punctuation usage (capitalization, titles, quotations)
-Parts of Sentence
(subject-verb agreement)
-Correct punctuation usage (commas)
-Academic collaboration skills
-Diverse media usage
-Mid-Term Assessment
-Expository/informative and narrative compositions
-Personal narrative assignment
-Expository/informative assignment
-Review and practice argumentative and research writing strategies
-Individual research assignment
-Final exam (MSL)
-Phrases and clauses
-Parallel structure
-Correct sentence usuage
(active and passive voice, fragments and run-ons)
-Editing for clarity and coherence
- Formatting for audience and styles
- Review grammar vocabulary and punctuation lessons
-Final Exam (MSL)
-Baseline Assessment
-Begin informational text/ literary terms vocabulary
- Informational Texts
( Within Reach )
- Continue informational texts (various textbook selections)
-Begin Short Story Unit
(“The Most Dangerous
Game”, “The
Interlopers”, “The
Necklace”, “The Scarlet
Ibis”, and other textbook selections)
-Mid-Term Assessment
- Read selected dramas
( Romeo and Juliet, TBD)
-Read selected epics
( The Odyssey, TBD )
-Read selected poetry
(selections from textbook)
-Review
Informational/literary vocabulary
-Final Exam (MSL)

The reading material for class will be supplied by the teacher. All textbooks and novels loaned to a student must be returned by the end of the semester. If a student misplaces or loses a textbook, he or she will be responsible for the payment of a new copy or will not receive his or her report card and other school-issued documents.
Again I look forward to the upcoming semester and I encourage any parents and students with further questions to e-mail or call the school.
Sincerely,
William Cutler
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