American Literature Class Syllabus
Welcome to Miss Reese’s American Literature class! I am very excited to have the
opportunity to work with all of you during the 2014-2015 school year. Below is an introductory
explanation of what you can expect in this course.
In our constantly-changing society, we in education must prepare students for a vast range
of jobs, some of which may not even exist yet! However, skills such as reading, writing,
communication, and vocabulary are universal. Your course grade will reflect your growth in these
necessary skills. Keep in mind that attending class regularly, keeping up with readings and
homework, and asking for help when needed will help ensure your success in English class.
Contact Information
Miss Reese
LMReese@exeter.k12.pa.us
610-779-3060 x. 2308
My preferred mode of communication is via e-mail. You can contact me via email at any time, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Texts
Most of the pieces we read come from our course textbook The Language of Literature. We will also read several other
novels/plays throughout the course, including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Of Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby, The
Crucible, and A Raisin in the Sun.
Materials Needed for Class
For each and every class, students must be prepared with the following items:
 Textbook/novel
 At least 50 3x5 notecards (needed for research
unit)
 Course binder with all necessary handouts/notes
 Pen/pencil
It is important to bring all of these materials to class daily. Do not expect reminders to bring these items and do not ask if you
must bring them.
Gradebook
This course uses a weighted gradebook. Categories are weighted as follows:
40% - tests and vocabulary quizzes
10% - journal entries
20% - classwork and homework
10% - small quizzes (i.e. reading quizzes)
20% - writing assignments
Students can check their course grade at any time by logging into the Skyward system. I make every effort to keep Skyward as
updated as possible. If you have questions about your grade, or if something in Skyward seems odd, please let me know.
Late Policy
Students should submit all assigned work on time. If a student does not complete work for its assigned due date, points will be
deducted for lateness.
 Short-term assignments: assignments will be accepted one day late for ½ credit. After one day, you receive a 0 for the
assignment.
 Long-term assignments: assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late with a loss of 10% (one letter grade) each day.
Exeter Absence policy: It is the student’s responsibility to contact his/her teacher(s) on the day he/she returns from the
absence to make arrangements to make up any missed assignments and/or assessments.
 All missed assignments and/or assessments must be made up within three school days from the day the student
returns from the absence.
There is a crate in my classroom labeled “Turn-in Bin.” If you are turning in an assignment at a different time due to
lateness or absence, put the assignment in that crate. Do not place late assignments on my desk.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary is a major component of this course. Each week, students will receive 10 words and definitions. Throughout the
week, our graded warm-up activities will focus on these words. On the last day of the week, students will take a vocabulary
quiz on those 10 words. There is limited class time devoted to learning and studying our weekly words, so students should be
prepared to work on their vocabulary outside of class.
Extra Credit
Extra credit for this course can be earned in two ways. First, anytime you use one of our course vocabulary words on a writing
assignment (journal entry, essay, written response, open-ended test question, etc.) and underline/highlight/circle the word,
you will earn an extra credit point on that assignment (up to 10% of the assignment’s total points). Also, students may
approach me with their own self-designed project ideas in order to earn extra credit. I will not design extra credit assignments
for students. The amount of extra credit will vary based on the project proposed by the student, but it cannot exceed 2% of a
student’s overall marking period grade.
Extra Help
During the course of the year, students may find that they would benefit from additional assistance in English class. Students
are more than welcome to schedule a time after school with Miss Reese to review any material. Additionally, there are several
resources students can take advantage of. The Academic Support Center/Resource Room is available during the school day.
Additionally, the guidance department offers after school peer tutoring. Please keep in mind that students will not be excused
from class to go to these resources. They are intended for study hall or after school.
Classroom Policies
1. Behavior: The most successful learning environments are those in which everyone feels valued and respected. As a result,
I do not tolerate language or behavior that is disrespectful toward members of our classroom community.
2. Attendance: Please refer to your student handbook on Exeter’s attendance policy. You must arrive to class with all
materials before the tardy bell rings. Three tardy marks result in a referral. If you make the unwise decision to skip class,
make up work will not be provided and your action will result in a discipline referral.
 Note: This course relies heavily on class discussion and participation. Frequent absences will cause you to miss this
vital element which cannot be recreated or made up.
3. Participation: It is the expectation that all students will engage in appropriate verbal and non-verbal classroom
participation throughout the school year. Appropriate participation includes, but is not limited to: bringing all necessary
materials to class each day (book, writing utensil, binder, handbook), participating in class by raising your hand and
providing appropriate commentary and/or answers to discussion questions, being alert and attentive as you take notes,
and following discussions and lectures in class. The following activities are not appropriate in class: sleeping, putting your
head on your desk, acting out in any way that disrupts the learning process, and not working on appropriate, courserelated activities.
4. Academic integrity: It is absolutely unacceptable to copy material from another student or from another source (ie:
internet sites). You are not permitted to “work together” on homework assignments unless I have given you specific
permission to do so. If you are found plagiarizing work or cheating in any way, you and any other student(s) involved will
receive a zero on the assignment, project, or test and your parents will be notified. Texting or using other electronic
devices during tests or quizzes will also result in a zero. You will NOT have the opportunity to make up the work or do the
assignment again. This includes all assignments. No exceptions.
Contact Information Sheet
Please detach this form and return it to Miss Reese by
Thursday, August 28th, 2014.
I understand the guidelines/procedures for Miss Reese’s American Literature class, and I have shared them with my parents.
I understand that it is my responsibility to provide necessary materials for this class.
Student’s Name: __________________________________ Student’s Signature: __________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature: ____________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Home Phone Number: __________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Cell Phone Number: ____________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Work Phone Number: ___________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Email: _______________________________________________________________________________
How would you prefer to be contacted?
email
home phone
cell phone
Do you have internet access at home?
work phone
yes
Questions, Comments, or Concerns: _______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Please note that this does count as an assignment and will be worth 10 points.
no