10th GRADE ENGLISH SYLLABUS

2008-2009
Instructor: Mr. Leineweber 503-667-3186 ext. 1035
Pete_Leineweber@reynolds.k12.or.us Base Room: W-9

Dear Mt. Jefferson House Parents and Students,

I am looking forward to getting to know all of you this year. I want everyone
involved with this class to be familiar with the syllabus. Reading this syllabus will answer
many of the questions that may arise throughout the school year. If you ever have any
concerns about the class feel free to contact me, I have included my phone number and e-
mail address on the top of this syllabus. You can check major assignments and handouts
online at http://leinewebersenglishclass.blogspot.com/, this syllabus will be the first post.
You can also check on your student’s grade using Parent Assist. To get your username and
password e-mail Marylou_Raney@reynolds.k12.or.us . I will respond to you concerns as
promptly as I can. Please sign and return the attached form, stating that the information in
the syllabus is understood.
This is a full year, one credit class that applies to the English requirement of four
English credits towards graduation. We will study a variety of literary forms, vocabulary,
composition, organization, and group discussion skills.

Materials:
--Pen: I will expect all homework turned in to be either typed or written neatly in
pen. I will deduct points if your work is turned in pencil.
--Loose college ruled paper
--A section in a three ring binder, to place returned work and handouts, such as
your syllabus.
--A composition book
Course Content:
Reading: Lord of the Flies, To Kill a Mockingbird, House of the Scorpion, as well as,
various short stories, poems, essays, speeches, and news media.
Writing: Daily Journals, Narrative Writing, Imaginative Writing, Essay Writing, Speech
Writing, Poetry, Summaries and Reviews.

Classroom Management:
I expect everyone to act respectfully and school appropriate at all times. All school
rules apply within this class, especially in regards to the use of cell phones and head
coverings. My policy is as follows: The first infraction will result in a warning, the second
will result in losing it for the day, and the third will result in the losing it until a parent or
guardian comes in to retrieve it or the end of the school year, whichever comes first. I
have three basic ground rules:
1) Come to class prepared-This is a prerequisite to passing the course; you need to attend
class both physically and mentally to gain the knowledge to advance. You need to have
all your supplies: comp book, pen, novel, and loose paper. All students will be required
to read at least one book outside of class during the semester; this book should be brought
to class so the student will always have something to do.
2) Do your work- Everyone is responsible for showing progress on the project at hand.
Students must show work place enthusiasm. The work must also be your own, see
Plagiarism policy under Academic policies.
3) Be cool- I define this as acting in a way that lets the teacher teach and the students learn; i.e.
No put downs, no obscene language, no harassment or threats. Do what is asked of you.
Academic Policies:
1) Assignments- Submit assignments on the due date. If assignments are late the
maximum percentage awarded will be 50%, large assignments will be awarded a
maximum of 70%. If the assignment will be late you must tell me prior to class, i.e. find
me and tell me the day before, before school, at lunch, if you do this\ exceptions will be
considered at the time in which you ask for an extension and on a case-by-case basis. All
of the assignments need to be your own individual work entirely:
Plagiarism and You
Plagiarism is the act of taking someone else’s work and trying to pass it off as your own. It is a serious breech
of academic honesty, which is intolerable. School discipline for such activities includes failure of the
assignment or course or, at the college level, removal from the school.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
1. Using someone else’s outline to write your paper.
2. Copying from any other source, no matter how much
3. Using data from a source without properly citing the source
4. Using a theme or idea from a source without properly citing the source
5. Exchanging work to avoid work (i.e. “You do odd numbers, I’ll do even.”)
6. Turning in the same paper to multiple instructors without prior approval.
--Beaman; January 14, 2000
2) Rewrites- You may rewrite any large written work for a higher grade. Resubmit
it with your old work. You may not rewrite a zero.
3) Absences- If you are (excused) absent on a due date submit your work the DAY
YOU RETURN. You will be allowed to make up any work that you missed, however it is
your responsibility to find out what work you missed.
4) Extra Credit- It is rare that I will give extra credit assignments so it is the
students’ responsibility to propose an assignment that relates to our class work. It can
involve any of these skills: writing, speaking, drawing, acting. The point value to be
awarded will be decided by the student and myself.
5) ‘A’ credit ‘- Any student hoping to receive an ‘A’ will be expected to read an
extra book in addition to the required outside book, or the original outside book read will
be one decided by the student and myself as a book that will challenge the student. The
teacher must approve the book the student reads. This will be explained further in
another handout.

Grading Policy: Grading Scale:

The grading criteria will be divided as follows: A—90-100%
40% -- Coursework / Quizzes B---80-89%
20% -- Tests / Exams C---70-79%
D---60-69%
30% -- Essays and writing projects
F---Less than 60%
10% -- Participation

This is a required class for graduation, an ‘F’ must be made up after school or in summer
school. There is little reason anyone should fail my class if they are putting in the effort. I
will work with you to make sure that you all succeed. If you are having a problem come
and see me before it becomes too large to fix easily. If you ask for help I will do
everything I can to help you.