Erinn Demskis
edemskis@crsd.org
(215) 944-2662
(voice mail only, there is no direct line to the classroom)
http://www.crsd.org/Page/10190
I came to Council Rock in 2001.
BA from
in
German Language & Literature,&
Criminal Justice (double –major),
with a minor in English
MA from
in 2000
in Foreign Language
Pedagogy (Education)
My
family
Our English class focus:
Self Determination
– who we are as individuals
– who we are as part of
the community
Self Reflection
– who you are as a person
– how you work as a student
What we’ll be reading...
Academic English
-Assorted poetry and short
stories
Honors English
-Assorted poetry
and short stories
What we’ll be writing...
formal
-responsive essays
-research paper
-letters
informal
-reflective pieces
-journals
What we’ll be researching...
• Holocaust & WW II related topics
• Final product will be a 5 paragraph paper
(minimum) that follows MLA format
Vocabulary
• generated by our readings
• weekly assignments of 10-20 words,
typically* due on Monday
• Vocabulary Quiz typically* on a Friday
* Typically, but there will be exceptions!
Grammar
• will be taught in conjunction with our
readings, and in response to students’
writing and personal needs
Discussion
• Large and small groups
• Preparation is key to effective
discussion!
PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE
FOLLOWING:
Organization & Record Keeping
• HAC: All grades will be posted on the Home Access
Center as soon as they are graded.
https://hac.crsd.org/homeaccess/default.aspx?509Nav=
%7C7353%7C&NodeID=7353
• Quia: http://www.quia.com/web
Our online English classroom. Students
utilize unique usernames & passwords to log
in to a secure online classroom to complete
homework assignments, quizzes, and
review activities. Quia activities are fun,
interactive, and allow me to discreetly
differentiate my assignments to best suit
your child’s needs.
Stamp sheet
This is the log
for keeping
track of all
assignments
completed.
An “X” =
assignment
was not
completed.
Late Work
• for each day that an assignment is late, five
points will be subtracted from your overall grade
on the assignment.
• Computer malfunctions (including printer issues)
are not acceptable excuses for lateness. It is
your responsibility to ensure that your work is in
on time. Do not bring your work to school on a
disk assuming you will be able to print it out.
Absence
• Call a reliable classmate from your section of English.
• Check the website for important news and updates.
• Check with me upon returning to school to schedule a
time for make-up work.
• In general, make-up work should be handed in within
three (3) days of your return to school.
• If you will be missing school due to vacation or a trip, it is
your responsibility to obtain your work ahead of time.
Be prepared with your work on the day of your return.
Clinic
• Wednesdays during R/A (come get a pass prior to HR/RA)
• Thursday afternoons
Why Clinic?
• provide extra help in understanding concepts presented
in class.
• give you the opportunity to make up missed work.
• answer questions you have regarding test grades, etc.
• discuss and go over your writing with you.
Preparation & Participation
• Come to class each day prepared and
ready to be an active participant in all
activities.
• Bring your pens, pencils, paper and
binder with you.
• Bring any necessary books, including
a book which you are reading for
enjoyment.
Assessment Policy
• Grades will be calculated by total points
earned on:
* Vocab. quizzes
* Writing Assignments
* Homework Stamps
* Activities
* Study Guides
* Projects
* In-class Journals
* Tests
☼
Attitude
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the
past, than education, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than
what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance,
giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the
attitude we will embrace for that day.
We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in
a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our
attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how
I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our Attitudes.
– Charles Swindoll
☼