Name English 2012-2013 Class Contract and Course Expectations Teacher: Mrs. Coulson Email: Allison.Coulson@northport.k12.ny.

us Website: For HW, handouts, review, or extra guidance, check out these sites: http://CoulsonNorthport.blogspot.com/ or Moodle Extra Help & Conferences: Monday, Thursdays 8:00-8:50 or by appointment Everyone is talented, original, and has something important to say. Brenda Ueland, If You Want to Write Course Overview In this class, we will be readers, writers, critics, researchers, and thinkers. You will be expected to read and write often and to be a positive, contributing member of the class. We will read a variety of genres and master our writing skills. This will be an active, student-centered classroom, and reflection and active engagement will be expected. Key words for this year will be: 1. Metacognition: (n) thinking about thinking 2. Inference: (n) a conclusion reached based on evidence and reasoning 3. Contextualize: (v) to analyze or place in a specific context (circumstances, background, framework, environment) 4. Empathize: (v) to experience the thoughts, emotions, and situations of others 5. Theorize: (v) to speculate; to form a hypothesis or idea about something Please read the following expectations to help ensure success in the upcoming year. Expectations of Students Required Materials: 1 three-ringed binder (devoted only to English) 5 dividers (1) Class Notes; (2) Vocabulary and Grammar Handouts; (3) Glossary; (4) Work In Progress & Marked Work; (5) Targets/Dialogue Journal Loose-leaf notebook paper Pens Dry-erase markers (with eraser tops or separate eraser) Folder (to be left in class and used as a portfolio) Grading policy: Your grade will be a direct result of the amount of effort you put into the class. A points system will be utilized, and grades will be based on the following: Assessments OF Learning: (Major Grades) Unit Tests Unit Portfolios and Extended Writing Assignments Independent Reading Assignments

Assessments FOR Learning: Classwork and Quizzes (announced and unannounced) Homework Responsibility and Participation

You can gain points and positive phone calls home by exemplary behavior, homework, or classwork. In the same vein, continued misbehavior or low-quality work will lead to negative consequences.

1. Unit Tests/Extended Writing Assignments/ Independent Reading: You are expected to be prepared for unit tests and attend review sessions, if needed. You will be asked to fulfill a variety of writing assignments for a number of different audiences. The extended writing assignments will require you to pre-write, draft, and revise. At the end of a unit, a portfolio of selected revisions will be due. These revisions should be typed (double-spaced with Times New Roman font, size 12). You will complete an independent reading assignment once a quarter. While assignments may vary each marking period, it will remain your responsibility to complete an action plan in the beginning of the quarter and to follow the action plan and read nightly. All assignments are expected to be on time! Points will be deducted for lateness. 2. Classwork and Quizzes: Classwork may sometimes be collected and marked Quizzes may be announced or unannounced. 3. Homework: Assignments will be written on the board. It is your responsibility to write down assignments. Homework will also be listed online. Homework will be checked or marked based on completeness, accuracy, and neatness. Most homework will receive comments-only marking. However, these assignments do affect your grade. 4. Responsibility and Participation: You are expected to be an engaged and active participant in your learning. Responsibility will be assessed by the amount of violations you receive. There are three types of violations: Behavior, Materials, and Lateness. Each violation will be tallied and one point for each one received will be deducted from total participation points available (roughly 300 but will vary per quarter). After the first quarter, a violation may be worth more than one point. Absences: In the event of an absence, any missed work must be completed in a timely manner. If you are absent the day homework is due, the homework should be handed in immediately upon return or emailed to Mrs. Coulson. If you are absent the day homework is assigned, it is due the after you return. Students are to take responsibility for missed notes and assignments. Notes must be copied from a peer, and all missing handouts will be found in the appropriate classroom folder or online. Missing/Late Work: At the end of the quarter, all missing work will receive a zero. No exceptions. This will severely affect your grade! Records will be kept of all missing, incomplete, and late workpoints will be accordingly deducted from your points total. *Note: you must be up to date on all assignments in order to complete extra credit. Revisions: You are encouraged to continually revise marked and graded assignments to improve and practice your skills (as well as to improve your grades).

Targets/ Conferences: You will be responsible for managing your targetsin consultation with Mrs. Coulson. Writing Conferences will be held at least twice a quarter. In addition, written dialogues are encouraged, and should be kept with your targets. You are expected to engage and do your best in a rigorous classroom environment. Negative attitudes will not be tolerated. All students are expected to observe the three Rs: respect yourself, respect others, and respect your environment. If you choose to be uncooperative, these are the consequences: 1st Warning: Verbal Reminder 2nd: Grade Deduction 3rd: Parental Contact 4th: Behavior Reflection Assignment 5th: Detention 6th: Office referral *Some behaviors may result in an immediate office referral. Continued behavior will result in escalated list. Teacher: Subject: Mrs. Coulson Eighth Grade ELA

Please sign below to indicate that you have read and understand the class contract. Your signature indicates that you agree to follow the guidelines outlined in the class contract for course expectations. Please place this sheet with the attached course expectations in the front of your class notebook. Throughout the school year, you will be asked to refer to these handouts to reinforce specific expectations and requirements. Return this form with all requested signatures.

Student Name:___________________________________________________________ Class Period:________________________ (Please Print)

Student Signature:_________________________________________ Date:______________________________

Parent Signature:____________________________________________________________________ Date:_______________________________