Course Syllabus

Honors English 1A/B (H)

Instructor Name: Mrs. Gill
Phone Number: 937-2051 x2233
Email Address: wgill@smjuhsd.org
Class website: mrsgillhonorsenglish1.blogspot.com
Course Materials:
Prentice Hall Literature Gold Level and other library books
English divider in binder and English notebook
White, college-ruled paper
Black or blue pen and pencil
Daily planner- optional, but highly recommended
Course Description:
This course focuses on meeting the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts
in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language. All coursework will require
students to practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking in formal and informal ways.
Students will also develop these skills through a variety of different tasks including individual
work, group work, formal presentations, reading literature, class discussions, and writing
assignments. Students will be required to complete work in and out of class. This class will also
challenge students with high level reading and writing along with stimulating class discussions.
The class is meant to push and prepare students for AP and college level English classes.
Grading Policies:
Grades are assigned with the traditional scale. 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C,
60-69% = D, and 59 or below = F. Grades are rounded up. Ex. 89.5 is considered an A-.
Homework assignments, classwork, projects, written assignments, quizzes, exams, and
class participation will determine the final grade.
There will be very little extra credit. You should be focused on completing every
assignment and not relying on extra credit to save your grade.
I do not GIVE grades in this class, you EARN them. I hope you do your best to earn a
grade that you can be proud of.
Cheating Policy:
Any type of cheating is not tolerated. This includes cheating on tests or quizzes, copying
classwork, or plagiarism in papers.
Cheating will result in a zero on the assignment for anyone involved and a parent phone
call.
Classwork/Homework Policy:
The agenda for the week, including classwork and homework, is posted on the blog and
in the classroom on the designated whiteboard.
Homework and classwork must be completed on time for full credit. If a student has an
excused absence, he or she will be given the amount of time of the absence to turn in
missed work for full credit.

When returning from an absence, students will check the blog or classroom calendar to
see what was done on the missing day. They need to ask peers first if they have a question
about the work, then ask the teacher after class or during lunch. Students need to write
absent on the top of their paper and turn in the make-up work to the teacher.
Late work will be accepted until the last day of that grading period, but 30% of the points
will be automatically deducted.
Students need to be present for instructional time in order to be successful in the
course.

Classroom Guidelines/Rules:
Rules: Every student will be:
Respectful- Respect every person (teachers, peers, guests) in the classroom through your
actions and speech. No offensive language or put downs. Actively listen when another
person is speaking and do not interrupt them or have side conversations. Hands must be
raised to ask a question or make a comment.
Prepared- Come to class prepared to learn. Bring all necessary materials and
completed homework every day. Come to class on time.
Focused- Stay on task and focused during class. No cell phones or other electronics are
allowed in class unless required for an assignment. One warning will be given and then
the device will be taken for the rest of class. No food or drinks, besides water, are
allowed in the classroom. Do not distract other students that are on task.
Participating- Fully participate in class activities. Follow directions and be ready and
willing to share your ideas with partners and/or the class.
Consequences:
Warning: Student and teacher will have a conversation about the behavior and make a
plan to correct the behavior.
Lunch detention: The student will spend a whole appointed lunch period with the
teacher. Parent will be contacted about the behavior.
Referral: The student will be referred to administration for the behavior if it is a habitual
problem that is not being resolved.
School Rules:
For information regarding attendance/tardy policies and major discipline, please see the
Student Parent Handbook. The school tardy policy is strictly enforced in this class.

I have read, understand, and accept the goals and requirements for Mrs. Gills Honors English
1AB class.
______________________________________________________________________________
Print student name
Signature
Date
_____________________________________________________________________________
Print parent name
Signature
Date
____________________________________
Parent E-mail Address

________________________________
Parent Telephone Number (daytime)

I frequently use e-mail to keep in touch with parents. Please provide your e-mail address to be
included. I will send out an e-mail during the second week of school and if you do not receive
this note please contact me via e-mail to ensure that I have the correct e-mail address for you.
Also, if you e-mail address changes during the school year, please provide me with updated
contact information.

**During this course, we will watch films to reinforce and/or illustrate ideas and themes from
our reading, and to create opportunities for critical thinking and writing. If you object to your
student viewing films with the following ratings: G, PG, PG-13, please indicate below your
concerns or objections. If you object to films shown in class, I will provide an alternative
assignment for your student to complete during the time that the class watches the film.