with Mr. Smith
english ii cpWelcome to
About meWho is this guy?
The basics Grew up in upstate New York
(country, not city)
Taught at PCHS in 2009-2010
First year at NBHS
The basics Went to college at UNC
Chapel Hill Class of 2008: BA in English Class of 2009: MAT in
English
The basics Taught at PCHS in 2009-2010
First year at NBHS
Likes Reading and writing
Drama
Snowboarding
Guitar Hero
Video editing
Drums
SCUBA diving
Favorites Movie: Back to the Future
TV shows: Lost, The Wire, and Mad Men
Bands: Coldplay, The Killers, Vampire Weekend
Books: The Catcher in the Rye and Death of a Salesman
Podcast: This American Life
About youWho are you people?
Tell us… Your name
Where you live
Plus one of the following: Your favorite TV show, band, or food; OR One unique or interesting item about you
Who are you? “Who Are You?” survey
Contact sheet
Goal writing
Goal writing What are your goals for this semester?
Why do you have these goals?
How will you accomplish them?
Classroom philosophyWho are we?
Classroom philosophy We are all scholars.
We are all different.
We all make mistakes.
We are all scholars. Each member of the classroom community is
capable of making insightful, original, illuminating contributions in class. We all have valuable things both to teach and to learn, and we arrive in our classroom community mentally and physically prepared to do so. We engage in this scholarly learning process through open, respectful discussion.
We are all different. Each member of the classroom community has
unique perspectives, experiences, and areas of expertise with which they can enrich our discussions. We respect this diversity for the wealth of knowledge it can bring to our learning.
We all make mistakes. No one member of the classroom community—
teacher or student—is perfect. We recognize not only that we all will make mistakes, but that we must do so in order to learn. We value mistakes for the progress they allow us to make in learning, and establish our community as a safe place in which to make this kind of progress.
About the classWhat will we do?
Topics and readings World literature
Ancient Greece, Africa, United Kingdom, Germany Poetry, novels, plays, nonfiction
Writing Various styles and types NC Writing Test
Grammar
Vocabulary
Laptops Class is part of NBHS 1:1 initiative
Each student receives a laptop
Technology used extensively in class as well as for homework
Thematically aligned with Civics and Economics
Major assignments Writing Portfolio – Seven pieces of writing (totaling 18
pages) Various styles – essays, fiction, poetry, etc. Various topics – definition, cause/effect, Civics & Econ,
etc. Counts as major project (multiple tests)
Multi-Genre Project – Seven pieces of writing (totaling 1200 words) Research-based – topic related to Civics & Econ Counts as final exam
Grading Total points system
Each assignment has a point value Point values based on difficulty and/or length of
assignment
Final grade = Points earned / Total points possible E.g.: 1500 points earned / 2000 possible points = 75
Engrade Grades posted on Engrade –
www.engrade.com/ismith1
Each student can check grades and download missed work online
Parents/guardians are also able to view grades online
Check frequently to avoid falling behind
How to succeed School = your job
Come with the right attitude Do quality work on time
If you do your job (i.e. coursework), you get paid (i.e. earn good grades)
Do the best you can each day
Class proceduresHow do we do things?
Warm-up (journal, sentence corrections, etc.) will be listed on the board as you enter class
Check the assignment, then immediately get to work
When the bell rings, you should already be working
Get your brain in gear!
Warm-ups
Major component of the course
Your own opinions/reflections
Should be written in a thoughtful, thorough, complete manner
At least 5 sentences
Graded weekly using stamp sheet
Get writing!
Journals
Stamp sheets are issued for each nine-week period
Journals are checked each day and stamps are given Complete (i.e. five-sentence) journal
responses receive a stamp on the sheet Half-credit may be earned
Stamp sheets are collected every Friday and journal grades are entered
Easy points!
Stamp sheet
Each student puts his/her name on a card
Cards are used to pick students for groups, to share journals or writing in class, to answer questions, etc.
Feeling lucky?
The Cards
Name
Date
Course name and period
Assignment name
Points deducted for missing/incorrect heading
Use it always.
Assignment heading
Borrow one from the cup
Return at the end of the period
When they’re gone, they’re gone
Bring your own.
Pencils
Papers are kept in student files
Students notified when assignments are handed back
Leave completed work here in class
Stay organized.
Returning papers
Designate “captains” for papers and materials
Paper captains pass out/return any papers (e.g. homework, handouts, etc.)
Material captains pass out/collect “crafty” materials (e.g. markers, paper, glue sticks, scissors, etc.)
Captains will change as seating chart changes
Papers and materials.
Captains
Everyone has a neighbor
Neighbors are default partners, especially for journal sharing
Neighbors will change with the seating chart
It’s like the buddy system.
Neighbors
5 bathroom visits per semester. Period.Non-transferrableNo refunds
Water fountain trips count as bathroom visits
No bathroom visits during first or last 15 minutes of class
Signal Mr. Smith; when acknowledged, sign out and take yellow pass
Use wisely.
Bathroom trips
If you are not seated and working when the bell rings, you are late
Enter quietly and take your seat
When appropriate, ask a classmate or Mr. Smith where we are/what we’re doing
First: verbal warning
Second through fourth: make up time after school on Friday (5 minutes late = 5 minutes after); parent contact
Fifth and subsequent: office referral
Be on time.
Late arrivals
Check with Mr. Smith as soon as you return to class
Get missed assignments from daily folders, file cabinet, and/or Engrade
Grace period for legitimate absences = length of the absence (e.g. out 2 days, work must be in within 2 days of return)
NBHS policy: more than 10 absences = no credit for the course
Don’t miss out.
Absences
5 points off per day up to one week
After one week: half credit
Late work accepted until end of marking period
Don’t do it.
Late work
Fix any and all incorrect responses
Staple to the original quiz/test and resubmit – corrections without original quiz/test will not receive credit
Earn back half of the points you lost
Must be done within two weeks of original quiz/test date
EASY points!
Quiz/test corrections
Be seated and quiet by 2:20
If you are exempt from seminar: Have your progress report and seminar
pass on your desk Wait quietly
If you are not exempt from seminar: Have English work on your desk Work quietly
No talking unless approved by Mr. Smith…is not free time.
Seminar
Class rulesHow should you act?
Class rules No inappropriate language (profanity, hate speech, etc).
No cell phones or other electronics.
No edibles of any kind (food, drinks, gum, mints, etc).
No makeup and/or cosmetics (lotion, etc).
One speaker at a time.
Follow the Golden Rule.
Be responsible.
Be respectful.
NBHS policy: No cell phones or MP3 players (iPods) allowed during the school day – not to be seen or heard (or suspected) First offense: 10 day confiscation Subsequent offenses: 30 day
confiscation
Refusal to give up a phone: First offense: 2-4 days OSS Subsequent offenses: 10 days OSS
Shut ‘em off and put ‘em away.
Cell phones/iPods
Makeup or cosmetics of any kind are not to be applied in class at any time
Chapstick (not lip gloss) is acceptable
First offense – warning
Second offense – makeup confiscated until end of school day
Third and subsequent offenses – makeup confiscated; returned after discussion with parents
This is not a beauty salon.
Makeup
NO FOOD of any kind.
Applies to any edibles: gum, mints, candy, etc.
Applies to fundraiser items
Clear water is acceptable
NO FOOD.
Food
NBHS policy states: No sagging pants/short shorts No headgear (hats, scarves, do-rags,
etc.) No piercings No leggings (even under other
garments) No gang/drug/alcohol-related items
Violators will be sent to Chill Out to write the dress code
Zero-tolerance enforcement: no warnings, no passes, no second chances
Cover up!
Dress code
Cheating is academic dishonesty – e.g. copying another person’s work (knowingly or otherwise) on any assignment or aiding others in doing so
Plagiarism is claiming another person’s words, ideas, or style as your own without credit
First offense: assignment returned without grade to be
resubmitted parents and administration notified
Subsequent offenses: immediate zero on assignment with no
chance of makeup parents and administration notified
When in doubt, give credit where it’s due
Don’t do it. Ever.
Cheating & Plagiarism
Consequences 3 strike policy before consequences begin
1st offense – leave room temporarily and/or go to Chill Out; parents contacted
2nd offense – disciplinary referral; parents contacted
Automatic referral: Profanity Threats/violence Blatant disrespect Insubordination
ExpectationsWhat do I want?
I expect you to…
…pay attention.
…be quiet while others are talking.
…listen to your classmates and the teacher.
…treat your classmates as you want to be treated.
…leave problems with others at the door.
…be respectful.
I expect you to…
…come to class prepared and on time.
…keep track of your assignments.
…complete assignments on time.
…act honorably as a member of this class.
…put in 100% effort at all times.
…never give up.
…ask questions.
…be responsible.
I expect you to…
…be creative.
…be insightful.
…be challenged.
…make me laugh.
…make me proud.
…learn.
…teach.
…succeed.
Any questions?