LAGUNA BEACH HIGH SCHOOL
Syllabus: Grade 10
Teacher:
Room:
Sean Mehegan
54
949-497-7750
E-mail:
Web URL:
Ext. 1354
smehegan@lbusd.org
www.lbusd.org
School Year 2015-2016 – 1st Semester
Contact Info:
Sean M. Mehegan
Laguna Beach High School
625 Park Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 497-7750 ext. 1354 – Homework Hotline
smehegan@lagunabeachschools.org
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Description: English 10 is designed to build on those writing, discussion, and critical reading skills
developed throughout English 9. The course continues the teaching of vocabulary through Greek and
Latin roots with supplementary words from literature as well as SAT-prep vocabulary. Students review
parts of speech, phrases, clauses, sentence types, punctuation, and standard usage as taught in English
9. Students will read and study the novel, short stories, poetry, and drama and will respond to each
literary genre in a variety of formal and informal writing assignments. Students will participate in large and
small group discussions and produce individual work.
Materials and Resources: Prentice Hall Literature, Platinum Level; Prentice Hall Writing and
Grammar, Platinum Level; Vocabulary from Classical Roots, Word Smart, A Separate Peace,
Death Be Not Proud, selections from The Bible, All Quiet on the Western Front, The Tragedy of
Julius Caesar, and Candide.
SUGGESTED SUPPLIES NEEDED:
1. A separate notebook with five dividers for:
-vocabulary
-grammar
-writing
-literature
2. Writing implements
-black or blue pens (get several so if you lose one . . . well, you know)
-number two pencils
-IMPORTANT: 8 ½” x 11” college-ruled notebook paper
 I do not accept torn, spiral bound paper
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 I do not accept 8” x 10 ½” paper; if you already purchased some, use it for notetaking but do not
use it for work you will submit; I will return it ungraded. This is a college prep class and you
must conduct yourself accordingly.
 I DO give 5% extra credit for all homework assignments that you type, except for formal essays
which must ALWAYS be typed. 
3. “Reminder Binder” to write down homework assignments
 I WILL periodically count this as a graded assignment and will check it regularly.
 Plugging assignments into your iPhone calendar is also acceptable.
GRADING:
Student progress will be evaluated by:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
tests
quizzes
formal and informal writing
oral presentations
final exam
The final grade will reflect the following categories on ABI:
Participation/Classwork/Homework
Literature Quizzes
Vocabulary/Grammar Quizzes
Writing
Final Exam
20%
15%
10%
35%
20%
MAKE UP WORK POLICY:
LATE WORK
I not only allow late work, I expect you to turn it in. Just because you didn't turn it in on time does not let you
off the hook! After all, if your parents do not turn in their tax return on time, it's not as though Uncle Sam lets
THEM off the hook; they still have to submit their tax return . . . although they will suffer some penalties, as
you will.
*Late work will receive a deduction of 50% after the first day (barring illness or family emergency) and
10% each day thereafter. If late work is not submitted by the end of the week following the week the
assignment was due, it may not be made up.
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Do not email me assignments UNLESS BY PRIOR AGREEMENT.
If you suffer from a non-functioning computer or printer, you may use our equipment at school
or problem solve in some other manner that works for you.
However, you may NOT print out an assignment during class. Come in BEFORE class to print
or to use email.


Work not printed, not stapled, not ready to be collected when the instructor requests it will
be considered late.
Save all work to your email. Complaints of crashed computers will fall on deaf ears . . . it is
never a matter of IF a computer will crash, but rather WHEN. Be prepared ahead of time.
Again, save all work to either an external hard drive or your email.
CLASSROOM EXPECATIONS AND POLICIES:
1. Comport yourselves like ladies and gentlemen; read “Articles of War” posted directly at the front of my
classroom. You also have one in your syllabus.
2. Dress appropriately and according to the district dress code; I will not hesitate to ask you, discreetly, to
depart for the accommodations of the Assistant Principal if you are in violation of the dress code.
3. No food or drink except for water. I DO encourage all my students to stay properly hydrated.
4. And boy oh boy, do I have a thing about gum. Chew gum in class = scrape old gum from under desks.
5. Finally and most importantly, keep the lines of communication open. If there is any issue
outside of class that gets in the way of you performing in class, let me know. Sometimes
conditions outside of your control and not your fault may prevent you from performing up to
your expectations. Do not hesitate to talk to me if this occurs. My door is always open.
ASSIGNMENT AND HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS:
On time submission expected; please keep the line of communcations open. If you are having difficulty with an
assignment, please let me know as SOON as possible; do NOT wait until I am collecting an assignment to
inform me that you were unable to complete it because you did not understand it.
Thank you,
Sean M. Mehegan
Laguna Beach High School
625 Park Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 497-7750 ext. 1354 – Homework Hotline
smehegan@lagunabeachschools.org
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Course Contract
The signatures below indicate that both parent and student have read and understand the requirements of
English 10 as articulated in the Course Outline. I have read the Course Outline completely. This includes, but
is not limited to, the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Late assignment policy
Make up work policy
Attendance policy
Weighted grading system
_____________________________________________________
Signature of Parent
______________________
Date
_____________________________________________________
Student Name – PRINTED
_____________________________________________________
Student Signature
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______________________
Date