Sophomore English
Mrs. Swanson
Gilbert High School
2014-2015
Correspondence Email:
Assignments Email:
Phone Number:
colleen.swanson@gilbertschools.net
mrsswansonassignments@gmail.com
480-497-0177 ext. 245
Welcome to Mrs. Swanson’s sophomore English class! On the following pages you
will find all sorts of helpful clues to ensure success in Sophomore English. Read
through the syllabus carefully and keep all of the pages handy. The last page should
be signed by you and your parent or parents and returned to me. I look forward to
spending the school year with you!
Materials Needed:
3 composition notebooks (notebooks can be left in class)
Folder for English materials only
Highlighters, colored pencils, pens, and pencils
Textbooks:
Elements of Literature (10)
Assorted novels to be selected by teacher
Assignments:
Weekly vocabulary (Latin and Greek root words)
Grammar Practices
Mini Writing Practices
Synthesis Essay
Literary Analysis
AIMS Preparation reading and writing
Independent Reading Projects (one each quarter)
Goals:
To maintain a positive attitude about school
To improve reading and writing
To open your mind to new ideas and assignments
Mrs. Swanson
Sophomore English
2014-2015
Necessary Survival Tips for Mrs. Swanson’s Sophomore English Class
 Read this syllabus carefully! There is useful information in this packet. Keep it handy in
case you need to reference something like an email address or policy
 I am not the enemy. In fact, I am here to help you, guide you, shape you, and hopefully
inspire you! We will write and create all sorts of different things in this class, so sit back
and enjoy the ride. Hating any class or any teacher will get you nowhere!
 Do not wait until it’s too late. Becoming or staying a proactive student is in your best
interest. Do not put yourself in a position where you have to play catch-up. It’s not worth
the stress.
 Read the board every day. I will always put information that is important on the board so
you can see it and write it down.
 Keep a calendar. Even if it’s a notebook with a list of things you need to accomplish, that’s
fine. If you write things down, you will be surprised at how much more organized you will
become or stay.
 Know the difference between my correspondence email and the assignment email. If you
need to contact me to ask a question or tell me that you are going to be absent or if there is
something you missed, email colleen.swanson@gilbertschools.net. This is my school
email.

If you are going to email an assignment, email mrsswansonassignments@gmail.com.
When you send an assignment to the assignment email address, you will receive an
automatic response that says I received your work. If you do not receive that automatic
response within five minutes, check the address you sent it to and then send it again.
 You should save all of your work all of the time. Be sure you have a flashdrive or some sort
of online storage to keep track of your work.
 You will be required to turn in all assignments to turnitin.com, as well as a hard copy to me.
Instructions for this will come later, but get used to doing it—if you don’t turn in
assignments to turnitin.com, you will lose credit.
 Take responsibility for your work and don’t make excuses. Sometimes we make mistakes
or forget to do something—own it—it’s part of being an adult.
 Understand the severity of plagiarism. If you are caught plagiarizing an assignment, the
disciplinary action will be severe. Be proud of your own original work—it feels good to
accomplish assignments in this class and in any class.
 Understand that tardies will ultimately affect your grade negatively. For “A” hour students,
getting to class on time may be difficult, so adjust your schedules/bedtimes accordingly so
you can get to class. It is important to be here.
 Sign up for Remind101 to receive text message reminders from me:
A hour Sophomores
text @ahour
to 520-441-3852
rd
3 hour Sophomores
text @3sophs
to 520-441-3852
th
6 hour Sophomores
text@6sophs
to 520-441-3852
Mrs. Swanson
Sophomore English
2014-2015
Daily Classroom Expectations:
1. Be respectful of your classmates and teachers. Your attitude speaks volumes about you.
2. Use words effectively and correctly. Please be mindful of what you say and how you say it.
Manners count in this class, as well as maturity.
3. Please be on time to class. When you are late it reflects your attitude towards this class,
your classmates, and your teacher. Bell work will be given at the beginning of class-it
counts for points and you don’t want to miss it because you cannot make it up.
4. Cell phones, iPods, ear buds, or any other electronic devices should be stored in your
backpack, purse, or pocket. These devices should be placed on silent, vibrate, or completely
shut off. They should not be out on your desk unless otherwise instructed.
5. Be prepared for class. This includes pens, pencils, assignments, essays, projects, etc. Your
attitude is also reflected in your preparedness.
6. Sleeping during class is considered to be disrespectful and can result in being marked
absent.
7. Be an active participant in class. This means speak up when you have something to say, and
listen to your classmates when they have something to say.
8. Laziness is not an option, nor is it an excuse.
9. Please be respectful, productive, and responsible students—you will hear this from me a
lot!
Classroom Policies and Consequences:
1. All papers must be typed and in MLA format. No excuses, especially printer ones.
2. If you are absent, please check with me immediately to catch up on anything you missed.
Unexcused absences will not be able to make up missed work.
3. Late work is accepted using late passes only. Late work passes will be provided by me, and
you will have 3 per semester. Late work is only accepted within the 9 week grading period
in which it was assigned.
4. Essays and other writing assignments are due on the due date regardless of physical
presence in class. Assignments can be turned in in the following ways:
 Assignments can be turned in during scheduled class time on the assigned due date.
 Assignments can be emailed to mrsswansonassignments@gmail.com no later
than 11:00pm on the due date. A printed copy of the assignment must be turned in
the following day.
 Assignments can be dropped off in the front office or in my classroom no later than
3:00pm on the due date.
5. You are allotted 10 absences per semester. If you miss more than 10 days, you run the risk
of being dropped from class or losing credit for the class. School activities, field trips, and
EVIT do not count as your allotted 10 days.
6. Pass books will be used for going to the front office, the counseling office, or the nurse’s
office. There is a bathroom pass for everyday use. One person may use the pass at a time.
Cell phones must stay in the classroom when using the bathroom. Overuse of the bathroom
pass will result in the entire class losing pass privileges.
7. Food and drink is permitted in class—do not abuse the privilege! Clean up after yourself.
Mrs. Swanson
Sophomore English
2014-2015
8. If electronic devices appear in the classroom and are being used for non-school purposes, I
reserve the right to confiscate them until the end of the school day.
9. The following actions will occur if any other problems arise in class: discussion with
teacher, call home, written referral, meeting with grade level administrator.
10. If you are struggling in class and need extra help, tutoring hours will be posted in the
classroom. Times may vary, but I will always make time for you if you need it.
11. Writing assignments can be rewritten as many times as you want. Rewrites will be due one
week after the paper is returned.
12. Plagiarism is defined as presenting the work of another as one’s own. Should you get
caught with a plagiarized paper the assignment grade will result in a “0.” Subsequently,
anyone caught cheating will be given a “0” on the assignment as well.
13. Email reminders and updates are sent out frequently to parents and students. If you or
your parents do not have an email account on record with the school, I encourage everyone
to update their information or create an email account.
14. Writing assignments, daily assignments, tests and quizzes are worth 80% of your grade.
The final exam is worth 20% of your final grade.
Classroom Grading Scale:
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
59% and below
A
B
C
D
F
Mrs. Colleen Swanson, English Teacher, Gilbert High School
colleen.swanson@gilbertschools.net
480-497-0177 ext. 245
mrsswansonassignments@gmail.com
Mrs. Swanson’s Schedule
A- Sophomore English
1- ENG 101/102
2- ENG 101/102
3- Sophomore English
4- Prep
5- Lunch
6- Sophomore English
7- Department Head
Mrs. Swanson
Email is the best way to reach me for immediate
responses.
Voicemail messages are generally checked at least
once a week.
This email should be used to send assignments only.
I always encourage positive and effective correspondence
between teacher and parent(s). I do ask students to be their
own biggest advocate in classroom matters. I look forward
to spending this semester/year with your student.
Sophomore English
2014-2015
Sophomore English
Gilbert High School
Mrs. Swanson
A signature below indicates that you have read and understand the classroom expectations,
policies and consequences, and that you have also received the teacher information. Please
keep the expectations, policies and consequences, and teacher information for reference and
return this page to Mrs. Swanson. Thank you.
_______________________________________________________________________
Printed student name
_______________________________________________________________________
Student signature
_______________________________________________________________________
Date
_______________________________________________________________________
Printed parent name
_______________________________________________________________________
Parent signature
_______________________________________________________________________
Date
Parents:
Please be sure your current information is updated in Infinite Campus and you log on to check your
student’s grade. I update grades frequently, and I also will send home periodic emails about what’s
happening in Sophomore English. Thanks!
Mrs. Swanson
Sophomore English
2014-2015