Elements of Nonfiction Syllabus

Mrs. Merino
smerino@wpsd.k12.pa.us
Room 316
www.smerino.weebly.com
Course Description:
Elements of Nonfiction reviews topics and skills outlined in the Pennsylvania Standards and
Anchors for reading. Using various literary genres, students will continue to build a solid
foundation of literary elements, vocabulary, reading skills and strategies. Students are challenged
to read a total of 25 books and/or book equivalents including in-class texts.
Course Texts:
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Various short stories, poems, and articles
Read 180 Intervention Program
Required Materials: (BY FRIDAY 9/9)
1 inch binder with
at least 4 dividers (1 per marking period)
at least 1 pack of college ruled loose-leaf paper
1 composition book (to be kept in classroom)
A pack of pencils/pens
Box of tissues, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer= 5 bonus points per item (limit 5 per marking
period)
Grade Set-up:
Each semester will be broken down and weighted as the following:
Class Participation......5%
Homework....10%
Quarterly Assessment...20%
Class Work...25%
Quizzes/Tests/Formal Writing..40%

Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 Grade.100%

*All grades will always be available to you and your parents/guardians on ESchool. Make
sure to check the site often to stay on top of your grades and to avoid miscommunication. If
you do not have your ESchool login and password, make sure to see you counselor ASAP.
Make-up Policy: If you have an excused absence recorded in eSchool, you will be given the
number of days you were out to complete all missed work. This work includes any homework,
class work, and tests/quizzes. Check your personal folder in the front student bin for missing
work. It is YOUR responsibility to get your missed work- I will not cater to you. All make-up
work is to be done on your time, meaning you should not expect to take a make-up quiz during
class time (before or after school is appropriate).
Late Work Policy: Homework is assigned in order to reinforce a lesson we learned that day in
class or to prepare you for an upcoming lesson. Homework cannot be made up if you are
present the day it is assigned and the day it is due.
All projects, assignments, writing prompts, etc. are expected to be turned in on time. Long term
due dates will always be listed on www.smerino.weebly.com so you can plan accordingly. Some
assignments will only be accepted on the due date; otherwise, if noted, 10% will be deducted for
each day the assignment is late, up to five days.
Class Rules:

Be on time: This is the easiest part of the class! You are to be in the classroom, in your
seat, with your necessary materials on your desk when the bell rings. You will be marked
tardy if you walk through the door after the bell rings. After three unexcused lateness,
you will serve an afterschool detention and your parent/guardian will be contacted. After
six unexcused lateness, a referral will be submitted to the office.
No Electronics: You are not permitted to have cell phones, mp3 phones, gaming devices,
or any other electronics on or visible in the classroom. They are to be turned off and kept
away and out of sight. The first time the device is taken, I keep it until the end of the day
and contact a parent/guardian; the second time, the device will be turned over to the main
office and will have to be picked up by a parent/guardian.
Passes: Any and all passes will only be issued during class work time. This means, per
school wide rituals, no one may leave the classroom during the first or last 15 minutes of
class. Each student will get a bathroom pass card the first week of school. You need this
card in order to leave the room. If you do not have your pass or your ID, you will not be
permitted to leave during class time.
Respect: The golden rule applies in all classrooms: Treat others how you want to be
treated. You are to give respect to your fellow students and to the teacher at all times, and
you will be given respect back. Also, be mindful of where you are and what type of
language is appropriate and acceptable.
Accountability: There are numerous resources in our classroom that ensure you will
always know whats happening at all times and for the future. You are responsible and
accountable for yourself in this classroom. Always make sure you are alert in class,

completing all work, staying on top of future assignments, and being considerate to
others in and out of the classroom.
Additional Resources

Remind101- You MUST register for the free text messaging/email service Remind101.
This free service allows me to send reminders, updates, changes, or important notes to
students. The service runs through the website so I never see your personal phone
numbers or email addresses and you dont see mine. If the school schedule ever changes
for emergencies or inclement weather, I will update students; you are responsible for
adhering to any messages or changes sent through this service. Directions are also on my
webpage.
Teacher Webpage- Utilize my webpage for updates, extra important handouts, important
dates, and other invaluable resources.
o http://www.smerino.weebly.com