Basic English 10
Kirsten Pomerantz
kpomerantz@cdaschools.org
208-769-0769
Office Hours: 7:00-7:30, 2:30-3:00, prep A3, B7
Overview
Materials to bring every day:
Welcome to Ms. Pomerantz’s English class! I hope you had a refreshing and
exhilarating summer. This year, you will continue to build your skills as a reader
and writer. As long as you follow classroom rules and procedures, participate in
discussions, and come to class prepared and willing to take on new learning
challenges, you will be successful in my class! You can expect to participate in
reading, writing, speaking/listening, and language skill activities each day.
 3 ring binder with loose leaf paper
and three dividers (reading, writing,
homework)
 Pen or pencil, highlighter
Objectives
Throughout the school year, we will use a variety of essential questions to
establish reading and writing knowledge and skills. You can see our big questions
in the right-hand column. We will use a variety of texts to answer these questions
– literary fiction and non-fiction and informational texts.
Writing will focus on three modes: argumentative, informational, and narrative.
Common Core State Standards (CCSS) place an emphasis on argumentative
writing that references evidence from text.
Grammar instruction will mostly be taught simultaneously with reading and will
be practiced in our writing. We will analyze word parts, or morphemes,
separately to help with new, unfamiliar words.
Requirements
Student behavior is expected to follow all district and school policies.
This classroom emphasizes the legal language of individual rights balanced with
responsibilities to the community. All behavior is mediated by appropriate time,
place, and manner. We will discuss and post examples of what this looks,
sounds, and feels like during the first week of class.
Optional supplies:
 Student copy of supplemental novels and
plays (to annotate)
 Fine-tip dry erase marker (for white
board work) to donate for classroom
community use
The Year at a Glance:
First Quarter
Essential Questions: What makes
writing engaging? How do writers
entertain, inform, and argue?
Primary text: Elements of Literature
Second Quarter
Essential Question: How do internal
and external conflicts influence
human nature?
Primary text: Farewell to Manzanar
Third Quarter
Evaluation
Grades will be posted on Skyward and every assignment uses a point scale. The
online gradebook will be updated at least every two weeks.
Class participation is vital for success in this class and carries a point value.
Whole class and partner discussions and feedback will be used every day.
Formative learning assessments will be given daily and will take a variety of
forms, both oral and written.
Summative assessments will be given at weeks 6, 10, and 16 of each semester.
Essential Question: How do we
measure a courageous action
demonstrated by heroic individuals?
Primary text: Elements of Literature
Fourth Quarter
Essential Question: How is literature a
comment on the human
condition?
Primary text: Julius Caesar
Opt-Out Policy Alternate Novel Requests
Policy 644 and 653 state that “an individual student may be excused from using instructional materials after the parent or guardian” has requested such.
If a parent or student wishes to request an alternative title for any novel assigned in an ELA class, he/she should contact the teacher, communicating the
reasons for requesting an alternate title so the teacher, working with the parent and student, can select a suitable alternate. You can request an Opt Out
Form directly from the teacher or access it through the district’s website.
Basic English 10
2013-2014
Classroom Policies & Procedures
Absent – You need to be in class to learn and practice the material. Excused and unexcused absences count
the same. Five or more absences in a semester mean that you will have to pass the Summative Course
Assessments (EOCA’s) in order to pass the class.
Late/Tardy – You are tardy if both feet are not in the classroom when the tardy bell rings. Tardy students
need a pass from the office or a note from another classroom teacher. You will get 50 points at the beginning
of the semester – every tardy, excused or not, will cost you 10 points.
End of class – The bell is a reminder to the teacher, not the students. Class is dismissed when the teacher
dismisses it. I will typically give you a minute at the end of class to pack up. If there are materials to collect
and count or other pressing needs, I will hold the class as long as needed.
Turning in work – All work is due at the posted or stated time. If you are absent, check the missed work
binder for the agenda and handouts or assignments on the day/s you were absent. Missed work is due the
number of days you missed.
Late work – Work that is handed in after the due date hinders its purpose as a formative assessment.
Knowing and being able to follow a schedule is a CRITICAL LIFE SKILL and assignment due dates are an
opportunity to practice this. Late work will be graded as my schedule permits.
Early work – For extended assignments, take advantage of extra guidance and feedback by submitting your
work early. To do this, you need to email me or arrange a conference outside of class time.
Homework – You will periodically be assigned homework. This is an opportunity to extend your learning
in class by making astute and insightful observations in the “real world” or by reading or writing.
Quality of work – I need to be able to read your handwriting. Turned in work needs to be on standard
sheets of paper (8 ½ x 11) and have clean edges – not torn from a notebook.  Typed work can be printed,
submitted on a flash drive, or emailed. For anything done electronically, you are held to the same deadlines –
please ask if you think you might not know how to avoid “my printer ran out of ink” disasters!
Office hours – If you need additional time to discuss assignments or conference, make arrangements.
While I am on campus 30 minutes before and after school and during second lunch, I may not be in my
room. Please schedule time with me if you need to see me.
Getting along – You will work in a variety of groupings and we will review appropriate behavior in each.
District policies – These are in your handbook and will be reviewed on the first day of school.
Food & drinks – Save food for breaks and lunch. If you are diabetic, make sure the office and I know
about it. Drinks are allowed if the container is closed. Be smart about your drinks – water really is your best
option. No drinks are to be by the computers!
Bathroom – No one leaves class the first or last 15 minutes of class. Use the bathroom before or after class.
You will get two “Gotta Go!” passes for emergency moments each semester. Use them wisely.
Parent Signature: ________________________________________
Basic English 10
Student Signature: ____________________________________
2013-2014