Class Information and Expectations
English Enhancement
Greetings!
English Enhancement is a class designed to help you meet your English requirement goals and better develop your
English skills for the purposes of improving test scores and/or improving your classroom performance in the English
classroom.
We will be reading some novels in class together. We will also be working on building your vocabulary and improving
your grammar skills throughout the year. In this class, everyone will have different strengths and areas for
improvements, so it will be important that everyone is patient and supportive.
The books that we will be reading are worth AR points. You may use the AR Points that you earn in this class towards
your other English AR Goal. Isn’t that nice of us????
Most importantly, if you ever have any questions about what we are doing in class or need extra help, do not hesitate to
ask! You can e-mail me at nswenson@esu1.org or talk to me personally scheduling a meeting time. If you have AIM, my
screen name is nswenson1130 -- I tend to have this on most of the time and can assist you this way as well.
Below I have listed my expectations and grading information for our classroom this year. We will go through them
together, but I suggest you read through them carefully and keep them in your folder so that you may reference them if
need be.
Mrs. Becker
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CLASS EXPECTATIONS
I do not suspect that we will have any problems in class, however, I do have expectations of my students and I feel it is important to
make that clear. They are as follows:


BE PREPARED
o
You will need to come to class every day with the following materials: writing utensil, notebook or paper, 3-ring
binder or folder, and whatever book(s) we are currently working with.
o
Have reading assignments and homework completed before class.
o
Be in your seat when the bell rings: there will usually be something for you to do right away. In the event that there
is nothing on the board, please sit quietly and wait for instruction.
BE RESPECTFUL
o
All interactions with people in this class should be on a professional/academic level.
o
Wait your turn and listen when others (students or teacher) are speaking.
o
Make sure that music devices are turned off and put away during instructional time.
o
Laptop lids will be closed until you are granted permission to open them. In other words, in your downtime, you are
not permitted to get your computer out and play games, etc. Instead, you should be reading AR or doing
homework for another class if you are caught up in here.
Class Information and Expectations
English Enhancement
o
Cell phones MAY NOT be used during class. If your phone rings or you are observed using it, I will confiscate the
item and you may retrieve it from the principal’s office at the end of the school day.
o
Treat the school property and your classmates’ property like it is yours.

Any damaged/missing property checked out to you will become your financial responsibility.

If you are caught writing on desks, walls, etc., you will be asked to stay after school to clean them. NOTE:
Gum belongs in trashcans…not stuck to the bottom of desks. 
o We are lucky enough to have a lot of awesome technology at our school… please be careful when you are using any
electronic devices provided by the school.
o Please DO NOT bring soda, energy drinks or food to class. It is against school policy for you to have any of these
items in class and I will ask you to throw it away. On special occasions (movie days and class parties), I may allow you
to bring something to snack on in class, but this is the only exception.


BE RESPONSIBLE
o
Attend class regularly, prepared, on time, and ready to work. If being on time becomes an issue, it will begin to
affect your grade.
o
Ask questions if you are confused or do not understand.
o
Come to me (before or after school, during class, via c-mail, etc) whenever something in class is bothering you, or if
you need extra help or make up work from when you were absent.
BE ACCOUNTABLE
o


Own your actions. You have control and free choice over how you act and respond to others. You will find that
making good choices leads to fewer problems, lowers your stress level, and fosters positive relationships with those
around you.
BE HARD WORKING
o
Class time is for class activities. The success of the entire class depends on individual participation and commitment.
o
Do your own work.
o
Be prepared to try new things and take some risks. At times class may be difficult for you; other times it may be
easy. Work through challenges and difficulty.
BE SUPPORTIVE AND ENCOURAGING
o
Respond appropriately and thoughtfully to others, keeping in mind feelings and vulnerabilities.
o
Be open to other classmates’ ideas. You do not have to agree with what they say, but come to class with an open
mind.
GRADING
WEIGHTED CATEGORIES
Class Information and Expectations
English Enhancement
All grades will be figured using a point system and then converted to a percentage and letter grade. Grades will be
weighted, meaning all work will have more/less of an impact on your total grade, depending on the “weight” the
category the assignment happens to fall under.

Class work/Homework [15% of total grade]: Any daily work done in class falls in this category. Examples are
journaling, free writing, group work, worksheets, notes, assignment checks, informal writing, homework, informal
assessments, participation, meeting deadlines. Think of homework as practice… it’s difficult to learn something
new without practicing. If you choose not to “practice” it will hurt your grade in other areas, as well. Keeping in
mind that homework/class work is most often practice, there may be a few occasions that the assignment is not
graded. However, you will not be informed of this ahead of time, because it is my expectation that you do ALL of
the work.

Quizzes [25% of total grade]: Any short assessments that check for understanding of novel assignments and
other key concepts went over in class.

Tests/Projects & Papers [40% of total grade]: Any major assessment or project falls in this category. Examples are
tests (objective and/or essay), formal writing or papers, group and individual projects, and class presentations.

AR [20% of total grade]: AR is a mandatory part of the high school English grading system -- choosing not to
complete the required 20 points per quarter will drastically drop your grade. For instance, if you have a 93% (an
“A”) but do not complete any AR points, your grade will appear as a 73% (a “D”) after I enter a zero in the AR
column.
GRADING SCALE
A…….…………….………..93-100
B…….…………………………85-92
C………………………….……76-84
D………………………………70-75
F………….……………..69 and 
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LATE WORK, MAKE-UP WORK AND EXTRA CREDIT
LATE WORK/HOMEWORK
In order to be successful in this class, it is important that you keep up with the work. Once you get behind, it will be very
difficult to catch up and continue with the rest of the class. For this reason, I find it necessary to enforce the following:

Homework is due on the day it is due. Late assignments will result in a 8% grade reduction for each day past the
deadline. Keep in mind that you will also be graded on the quality of work.
o

(2 days late = -16% off your grade as a starting point, and from there additional points will be subtracted
if the quality of work is poor, incomplete or incorrect.)
In other words, if you were going to hand something in late, it would be in your best interest to do it correctly
and completely! I will use the 8% as a guideline for most assignments but in some cases I will use my own
discretion as to how much credit is lost.
Class Information and Expectations
English Enhancement

If you know in advance that you will be gone from school on a day that we will be having a test or quiz or will be
handing in projects/papers, you must fulfill these responsibilities BEFORE YOU LEAVE for full credit. Each day
past the due date will result in an automatic % reduction in your grade. Please inform me as far in advance as
possible if you know you will be absent and we will schedule a time for you to complete whatever needs to be
done.
MAKE-UP WORK

If you miss class, it is YOUR responsibility to contact me about make-up work. For each day you are gone/ill, you
will receive TWO days to complete make up work for full credit (Ex: If you were sick on Monday and came back
Tuesday, then your make up work would be due on Thursday).

If the work is not completed by the deadline, it will be considered late and 8% percent will be deducted from
your grade each day it is late. If you are sick the day of a quiz or test you will be expected to take the exam the
day you come back to school. You will be in the ADVANTAGE PROGRAM if your homework is not handed in by
8:00 a.m. the day after the assignment is due.

If the absence is NOT excused, you will be expected to complete the work in ONE day.

Reading Schedules are given out ahead of time when we are reading novels so that you can stay on track and
know when everything is due. This and the reading questions that accompany the reading will be the exception
to the 2-day rule. You will be expected to stay caught up with this. (If you get off track one assignment, you will
be expected to get caught up accordingly as what we do in class will revolve around the reading assignment that
was due.)
EXTRA CREDIT

If you do the work that everyone else has to do when they have to do it and you shouldn’t need it!  There may
be some opportunities throughout the year, but it will be worth a small amount and it will not happen often.

If and when extra credit is offered, it will be offered to the entire class, not an individual student.
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ECETERA…
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING

If you claim someone else’s work as your own (this includes all work from people at LCHS AND people not part
of LCHS) you will receive a zero for that particular assignment.

If plagiarism or cheating occurs a second time, I reserve the right to fail you for the quarter.

Other actions may be taken such as a referral to an administrator and a conference with your parent(s) or
guardian(s).

If you are found to be helping someone cheat, you will receive a zero on the assignment, as well.

STRAIGHT FROM THE HANDBOOK:
CHEATING/PLAGARISM
Class Information and Expectations
English Enhancement
All members of the LCC community are to be informed that cheating and plagiarism is not acceptable and will not
be tolerated. All students are expected to complete their own work to the highest standards of personal honesty in
their daily work and assessments. All work submitted to a teacher must be original.
Cheating: Cheating is defined as using dishonest methods to gain a personal advantage. This includes copying
another student’s homework and assessments, utilizing technology to obtain answers to homework or assessments,
obtaining unauthorized assessment copies or others. Assessments refer to quizzes, tests, and other evaluative
methods teachers use to determine grades other than daily work.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as stealing written or spoken text and passing it off as a person’s own work, using a
created production without crediting, or committing literary theft. Examples include turning in a paper retrieved
from the internet or including information from an encyclopedia, book, textbook, website, database, etc., without
citation. A paper is considered plagiarized if parts of the assignment are taken from another source without giving
credit.
Consequences for students found to be cheating or plagarizing work will vary from teacher warnings to suspension
or removal from the class.
Responsibilities of the Student
Responsibilities: Eliminating cheating and plagiarism is the responsibility of all members of the school community.
Students will avoid situations which might contribute to cheating and/or plagiarism, not use group work unless
indicated acceptable by the teacher, report to teachers when unethical academic behavior is witnessed, and
document all borrowed resources when writing a paper.
STAY ORGANIZED
I suggest keeping all handouts that are graded and given back to you: journals, class writing, worksheets, tests, quizzes,
etc. Teachers make mistakes, too! If you keep assignments, you have proof of your work and the original score you
received! While this is a suggestion and not a requirement, it may end up helping you at some point during the school
year!
KEEP THIS SYLLABUS IN YOUR ENGLISH NOTEBOOK SO THAT YOU CAN REFERENCE IT IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS OR IF YOU NEED MY EMAIL ADDRESS.
THINGS YOU NEED TO BRING WITH YOU DAILY…

A notebook JUST FOR Enhancement

A folder JUST FOR Enhancement to keep assignments in
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A writing utensil

Any textbooks or assignments that are specified.
BEHAVIOR CONTRACTS
If you exhibit a behavior that does not comply with the expectations specified in this document, a behavior contract will be started
for you and kept on file. For the first offense, you will receive a verbal warning; for the second offense, you will be asked to stay after
Class Information and Expectations
English Enhancement
school to discuss the situation; for the third offense, a parent will be contacted; for the fourth offense, you will be asked to leave the
room and go to the office. You may not return to class until an apology is issued and you agree to stop the behavior.
DETENTIONS
Students will receive ONE warning for minor offenses (tardies, disrespectful behaviors, etc.) If the behavior persists, the student will
be expected to serve a 30 minute detention before or after school. If the student is not able to drive, they will have two days from
the day of the offense to schedule a time to serve the detention and schedule transportation.
LEAVING THE ROOM

Each student will be allowed two passes a week. Before you leave the room, you are required to leave your phone on my
desk (I will NOT look at it) and sign out/get my signature in the sign out book showing that you have permission to leave
the room.

Acceptable reasons for asking to leave the room (Only twice per week!):
o Use of the restroom.
o Nurse.
o Drink – if the timing is right.
o Locker if necessary and if the timing is right.

You should use good judgement and ask to leave at acceptable times. If we are in the middle of an
assessment/lesson/student presentation, it is not appropriate for you to ask to leave.
o I reserve the right to ask you to wait until a more appropriate time to leave the room.

If you leave the room more than twice in one week, your passes for the following week will be lost.

If you leave without permission, you will lose your privilege to leave the room.
Class Information and Expectations
English Enhancement
EXPECTATIONS AGREEMENT
***Please take this document home to be looked over and signed by a parent/guardian and yourself. If you
have any questions regarding anything you have read, feel free to contact me by e-mail: nswenson@esu1.org
or by phone (402) 256-3731. Please return this PAGE to me (signed) by Wednesday, August 20th for 10 points.
Easy points!!!! 

Points will be deducted for late packets. No points will be awarded for forged signatures.
“I have read and understand the expectations for Mrs. Becker’s English Enhancement class. I
understand
what will happen if ____________________________fails to comply with these expectations.”
(Student’s Name)
Parent Signature:_______________________________________________
Date:______________________
Student Signature:______________________________________________
Date:______________________