Aug. 11, 2014
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and let you know that I am looking forward to a
productive school year. My name is Beth Bream and I will be your child’s English II Advanced Honors
teacher. This year we will focus on the county’s prescribed curriculum outlined and go in depth with the
readings and concepts. In addition, we will prepare for the TCAP writing assessment given in February
and the End of Course test given in May. Ultimately my goal is to help students foster a love of learning,
prepare them for higher education, and achieve gains on the EOC.
This course will advance student development skills in the areas of reading, writing, and critical thinking.
This will be achieved through the reading of, and writing about novels, short stories, poems, drama, and
nonfiction. Summer Reading will be assessed in August. Your child was given a Summer Reading list in
the spring of last year. If your child needs another copy, check the Rutherford county website:
www.rcschools.net (Click on students, then Summer Reading Lists).
It is essential for an Honors student to be mature, conscientious, and self-motivated. The Siegel High
School passport states, “Honors identifies a course designed to be very challenging and requires
additional work beyond the standard level. Students enrolled in Honors classes will have three points
added to their average each grading period and to the mid-term and final exams. Because the student has
elected to take an Honors class, he/she needs to understand up front that this course will be taught to help
him/her prepare for collegiate-level English.
To keep you informed about your child’s progress in my class, I will send out progress reports in the
middle of the nine week’s grading period. I ask that you review these reports, sign them, and return them
through your child. These signed progress reports will count as a grade each nine weeks. You may also
contact me by phone or email is you have questions regarding your child’s current grades. Furthermore, if
academic or discipline problems should occur, I will contact you by phone or email.
If you wish to meet with me in person, you may come in for Parent/Teacher conferences or arrange a
meeting at another date and time.
Please review the attached course syllabus, classroom procedures, and expectations. Each student is
required to keep this syllabus in the front of his/her notebook. Additionally, please check the Siegel High
website periodically for updates on school events. The Siegel High website is www.sgh.rcs.k12.tn.us.
I hope this answered many of your questions about the course and its purpose. I want all of my students to
understand what is expected of them so they can achieve success and enjoy learning. Feel free to contact
me at breamb@rcschools.net.
Please detach the final page of the packet, sign it, and return it through your child so that he or she can
receive a homework grade. I look forward to meeting you and working with your son or daughter this year.
Sincerely,
Beth Bream
English II Advanced Honors
Beth Bream
Siegel High School, 2014-15
I. Course Description
A. Literature (short stories, essays, poetry, non-fiction)
B. Literary Elements
C. Novels/plays
D. Writing skills (Informational/Explanatory, Opinion/Argument, Narrative)
E. Research skills
F. Grammar/Mechanics
G. Vocabulary
H. Test-Taking skills
-Midterm Exam (December)
-TCAP Writing Assessment (February)
-EOC (May)
II. Required Materials
A. Three-Ring binder (to be used for this class only)
B. Dividers with labels (five)
C. Pens/pencils
D. Notebook paper
E. Marble Composition book
F. Folder (color determined by period:_________________)
G. Last Name:
A-M: Kleenex
N-Z: Box of pencils or box of ballpoint pens
H. Books
A Long Way Gone –Ismael Beah
Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury
How to Read Literature Like a Professor- Thomas C. Foster (many of you have already
purchased this book)
*Some books may contain explicit language or mature subject matter. Never read anything that offends
your sensibility. Please let me know several weeks in advance of the books purchase date and I will make
alternate suggestions or choices. Parents should approve a student’s reading selections.
Other materials may be needed for the research paper, projects, and various assignments throughout the
year: paper clips, rubber bands, markers, colored pencils, etc.
Common Core-Rutherford County Schools is in a transition year with common core. I will be
implementing common core pedagogy throughout my lessons. Please see our implementation plan for
more details: http://www.tncore.org/
III. Grading: In accordance with Rutherford County Schools policy, the following grading scale will be
used:
93-100
A
85-92
B
75-84
C
70-74
D
0-69
F
Grades are based on homework, daily class work, quizzes, tests, in-class writing, essays,
projects/presentations. Grades will be figured on a point system. Extra Credit opportunities will be given
periodically throughout the year.
IV. Homework: Homework is a requirement in this class. Students will have independent reading and
homework assignments regularly. It is essential for an Honors student to be mature, conscientious, and
self-motivated. “Not understanding the assignment” is an invalid excuse for not completing homework
assignments. If you have questions, you need to be responsible ahead of time and ask questions. You may
ask questions during the assigning of the task, after class, during my planning period, or after school. You
may also email me with questions. The six weeks average will suffer if homework is not completed
promptly. A student who refuses to do homework does not belong in an Honors class. Late homework
will not be accepted.
V. Make-up work: Attendance is absolutely necessary for success. The majority of students who
struggle to maintain passing grades are those who are absent too often and do not bother to do make up
work. If absences do occur, it is the student’s responsibility to get make up work. Each day I will write
assignments on a calendar which will remain posted in the classroom. When a student returns from an
absence, he/she simply checks the calendar to see what he/she has missed. All assignments will me under
the calendar on the make up table.
Students have five days to complete make up work. Assignments that are not completed after the 5th
weekday returning to school will result in a zero in the grade book. See Student passport for school
policy. This rule also applies to make up tests and quizzes. Students should be prepared to make quizzes
before or after school. Students should see me to schedule a make up time for tests and quizzes.
VI. Notebooks: Students are required to keep a notebook in order to keep up with handouts, writing
assignments, and other materials. Organize your notebook into the following categories: 1. State
Standards 2. Vocabulary 3. Novels/Plays 4.Writing/Research 5. Miscellaneous
VII. Classroom Rules and Expectations
-Follow all Rutherford County Rules and Expectations
-Drinks with twist caps will be allowed. Food will not be allowed in class.
-Be on time.
-Bring required materials every day. If you forget something, you may use a hall pass in your agenda
once per six weeks. Otherwise you will be considered tardy when you are sent to your locker to get
your items.
-A student may not exit this class without his/her signed agenda. Students may not interrupt class to
get permission to leave the classroom unless it’s an emergency. You must sign out in folder before
leaving class. Students should make every effort to visit the restroom, locker, and other destinations
during class change or before or after school. A student who is out of the classroom for more than
ten minutes will be written up for skipping.
-Do not use student computers unless you have returned the parental permission technology form
and have teacher’s permission and supervision. Students should limit Internet use to research and/or
educational sites. Students are not permitted to download materials or play games on classroom
computers.
-Respect the property in the classroom. You must pick up after yourself, throw your waste in a
recycle bin or trashcan.
-Cheating is unacceptable. If a student is caught plagiarizing from any source or enabling another
student to copy from his/her paper on any assignment, class work, homework, essay, quiz, or test,
he/she will face the consequences outlined in the passport.
-Sit in your assigned seat every day and do not wander around the room during class.
-Turn in assignments on time.
-Read, write, listen, and speak. The goal of this class is to enhance each of these skills. Do not talk
when I am talking and do not work on assignments from other classes.
-Exert effort, ask questions, and participate.
-Be RESPECTFUL to your teacher and classmates.
VII. Consequences for Rule Violations
First offense: Verbal warning (in most cases). Parents will be notified if the offense is particularly
disruptive or offensive.
Second Offense: I will refer to the grade level principal either with a blue slip or a conference.
Third offense: Referral (blue slip) to grade level principal.
VIII. Availability: I am available to meet with students and/ or parents after school or during my
planning period. Please call or email me to schedule an appointment. I am always happy to hear from
parents. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns about your son or
daughter’s progress. Students are also welcome to schedule before/after school conferences in order to
discuss grades, make-up work, or to get help with specific assignments.
Room: 104
Phone: 904-3800
Email: breamb@rcschools.net
*Alterations will be made to this syllabus as necessary. After reviewing the information in this packet,
parents should complete the information on the last page. Return the Parent information sheet for a grade.
Students must keep syllabus and class rules in front of your notebook. I am looking forward to an
excellent year!
Parent Information Sheet
After reviewing the course syllabus, please complete and return the following information to Mrs. Bream.
Student’s Name _________________________________________Class period__________
Parent’s Name(printed)____________________________________
Parent’s Name (signature) _________________________________
Parent’s Phone Numbers:
Home _________________________________________________
Work__________________________________________________
Cell___________________________________________________
Parent’s Email Address(es)_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
If there is other information you would like me to be aware of (health concerns vision or hearing
problems, etc), or if you have additional comments or questions, please list this information on the back
of this form.