English I--Mrs. Dempsey 2008-2009

Welcome to English I. This syllabus includes the general expectations and procedures that you can expect this year. Keep your syllabus so that you can refer back to it if you have any questions. I look forward to having you in class this year!

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

1. Be respectful in speech, action, and attitude.
2. Be in your seat when the tardy bell rings.
3. Come to class prepared with all your materials.
4. Keep cell phones out of sight!
5. Do not ask to leave during class. You will be give two tardy passes per six weeks to use at your discretion (ie: to go to the restroom). Use them wisely.
6. The teacher dismisses you. The bell does not!
**Should you choose not to meet classroom expectations you will be subject to various appropriate consequences including verbal warnings, detention, and/or office referrals.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

1. All homework is to be completed before class begins. Any work turned in after class starts will be considered late.
2. Late work will receive a ten-point deduction per day. Any work more than a week late will receive a zero.
3. DO NOT PLAGIARISE! Academic dishonesty has serious consequences.
4. Extra credit will only be given after all other assignments have been completed. Uncompleted work may be turned in for a maximum grade of 70 (during the current six-weeks only). Extra credit will consist of a book report on an approved novel. The book report will consist of two parts: written and oral.
5. Tests (except six-weeks or semester exams) on which you do not receive a passing grade may be retaken within three days of the initial test. Retakes must be scheduled outside of class.
6. Follow the student handbook policies.

ABSENCES

1. YOU are responsible for any work you miss due to absences of any kind. You should check for any work the day that you return to class.
2. You will be allowed the same number of days you were absent to complete any missed work.
3. Missed tests must be taken within three days of your return. Absences before a test of which you have knowledge does not exempt you from taking the test at the scheduled time.

GRADING POLICY

Daily work/Quizzes: 50%
Tests: 50%

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Students enrolled in English I continue to increase and refine their communication skills. High school students are expected to plan, draft, and complete written compositions on a regular basis. Students edit their papers for clarity, engaging language, and the correct use of the conventions and mechanics of written English and produce final, error-free drafts. In English I, students practice all forms of writing. An emphasis is placed on organizing logical arguments with clearly expressed related definitions, theses, and evidence. Students write to persuade and to report and describe. English I students read extensively in multiple genres from world literature such as reading selected stories, dramas, novels, and poetry originally written in English or translated to English from oriental, classical Greek, European, African, South American, and North American cultures. Students learn literary forms and terms associated with selections being read. Students interpret the possible influences of the historical context on a literary work.

Spanish I--Sra. Dempsey 2008-2009

Bienvenidos a la clase de espanol I. This syllabus includes the general expectations and procedures that you can expect this year. Keep your syllabus so that you can refer back to it if you have any questions. I look forward to having you in class this year!

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

1. Be respectful in speech, action, and attitude.
2. Be in your seat when the tardy bell rings.
3. Come to class prepared with all your materials.
4. Keep cell phones out of sight!
5. Do not ask to leave during class. You will be give two tardy passes per six weeks to use at your discretion (ie: to go to the restroom). Use them wisely.
6. The teacher dismisses you. The bell does not!
**Should you choose not to meet classroom expectations you will be subject to various appropriate consequences including verbal warnings, detention, and/or office referrals.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

1. All homework is to be completed before class begins. Any work turned in after class starts will be considered late.
2. Late work will receive a ten-point deduction per day. Any work more than a week late will receive a zero.
3. DO NOT PLAGIARISE! Academic dishonesty has serious consequences.
4. Extra credit will only be given after all other assignments have been completed. Uncompleted work may be turned in for a maximum grade of 70 (during the current six-weeks only).
5. Tests (except six-weeks or semester exams) on which you do not receive a passing grade may be retaken within three days of the initial test. Retakes must be scheduled outside of class.
6. Follow the student handbook policies.

ABSENCES

1. YOU are responsible for any work you miss due to absences of any kind. You should check for any work the day that you return to class.
2. You will be allowed the same number of days you were absent to complete any missed work.
3. Missed tests must be taken within three days of your return. Absences before a test of which you have knowledge does not exempt you from taking the test at the scheduled time.

GRADING POLICY

Daily work/Quizzes: 50%
Tests: 50%

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Acquiring another language incorporates communication skills such as listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and showing. Students develop these communication skills by using knowledge of the language, including grammar, and culture, communication and learning strategies, technology, and content from other subject areas to socialize, to acquire and provide information, to express feelings and opinions, and to get others to adopt a course of action. While knowledge of other cultures, connections to other disciplines, comparisons between languages and cultures, and community interaction all contribute to and enhance the communicative language learning experience, communication skills are the primary focus of language acquisition.