Pre-AP English @ RHSEverything you need to know to be successful!

Rachel Pullenrachel.pullen@rockallisd.org

Pullen’s Website

Email is the most efficient methodof communication with me!

TutorialsWednesdays 3:50 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 8:40 a.m.Other times available by

appointment

Who’s my English Teacher?Mrs. Rachel Pullen

Currently teaching English II and Pre-AP English I

9 years teaching English

Resident of Rockwall for 9 years. Just moved back to Highland Park

Married to Michael Pullen

Benjamin is a 1st grader at Hyer

Bradley is a crazy 2 year old

How’s Your Child’s Thinking?

I won’t tell you WHAT to think,

but I work hard to teach you HOW to think!

An Important Note:Keep in mind that this is a time of transition.

The first six weeks are the most difficult!

Give your very best every day!

You will make mistakes. It’s okay. Just learn from them.

It might be tough at first,but soon it’ll bea piece of cake!

What Books Will We Read?Selections from the Purple Lit BookLink to online book is on my webpage

literary concepts and archetypes poetry, short stories, non-fiction pieces

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The Odyssey by Homer

Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare

Anthem by Ayn Rand

1984 by George Orwell

Their Eyes Were Watching Godby Zora Neale Hurston

Outside Reading novel – 2 per semester

What’s Going on in Class?

Class calendars for every term

Check the daily “love note”

Remind 101 – via email or text

Skyward Messages

Class Web Page

You and your parents can email Pullen directly

At least one teacher will be available before and after school every day (except Friday afternoons ).

You may go to any Pre-AP English I teacher for help with an assignment.

Tutorials

OrganizationKeep an assignment journal or calendar – it can be electronic, but make sure you use it.

Time management and setting priorities are the most difficult but most essential skills you will learn.

You should bring your backpack every day. Clean it out often, but don’t throw stuff away!

Have paper and pen/pencil every class period, and be ready to use it!

GradesEven if you have always made good grades, high school sets a different standard – good grades may manifest in lower averages.

You don’t have to make an “A” to be a good student.

Grades are not always a reflection of your ability, but they are often a reflection of your work ethic.

Late Work vs. Make-up WorkTurn in assignments when they are due. That’s the only way to pass the class!

Late work is work that was assigned while you were in class. Late assignments cannot receive a grade above 50 and MUST be turned in within 24 hours of the original due date.

Make-up work is work that was assigned while you were absent. It is your responsibility to get the assignments!

The ZERO ImpactDaily grades are worth 30% of your class average; Major grades are worth 70%.

You will have 2-3 major grades and 6-8 dailies per six weeks.

Study! I say this every day…

Plan ahead and don’t procrastinate. Every class will have major grades due within days of each other. Don’t delay!

The pace will likely be much faster than you’re used to.

Class Notes / Cornell Notes

Flash cards

You should actually read the book!

Annotate novels with a purpose

Use every minute on campus!

Thank Youfor sharing your freshman year with me. Please communicate with me when

you have questions or

concerns.