Antioch High School – English Language Arts Syllabus

Mrs. Burns, Room 1119, devinburns@antiochschools.net

“The Object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives”

– Robert M. Hutchins

Class Description

We will focus on developing your skills, not only to prepare for school, but to prepare for life itself. You will learn how to communicate more effectively on paper and through dialogue. If you come to class every day prepared to meet these challenges, you will emerge as a confident student ready to face the world.

Class Expectations

As a student, we expect you to behave respectfully at all times. Your teachers will strive to ensure that the classroom is an environment that remains safe, encouraging, and productive at all times. However, we cannot accomplish this without the help of all of you. Below are the rules of the classroom that we expect will be followed by every member of the class.

You must be on time for class. This means you are in your seat, and prepared to begin class. Anyone not in their seats prior to the bell will be considered tardy and will be disciplined according to the teacher’s tardy policy.
You will not disrupt the learning environment. Procedures will be clearly explained during the first week of class. Any student not following those procedures will be considered a disruption for the day and subject to discipline according to the Antioch High School “classroom disruption” discipline policy. This may sound harsh, but we believe every student deserves their right to the best education possible.
Grades are non-negotiable. The grading system we use is designed for optimum fair and impartial assessments of your English Language Arts skills. As such, all grades will be rendered final, unless a clerical error was discovered.

You will be respectful of any teacher, administrator, visitor and fellow student at all times. To maintain a safe and encouraging environment, we need to ensure that students are never fearful of voicing their opinions in class. Teachers, including substitutes and visiting instructors, will be given the respect they deserve as well. Remember that we must give respect to get respect.
You will have your materials for each class. It is extremely difficult to be successful without the required materials. You will be expected to have, at minimum, a writing utensil, paper, and a Composition Notebook. This means you will bring your materials to class, not show up and borrow a teacher’s, or fellow student’s material.
Cell Phones must be put away, on silent or vibrate in your backpacks and out of sight until the last 5 minutes of class (5 minute wind down). If not the consequences are as follows:
1. Verbal Warning
2. Placed on the teachers desk and a phone call home

Class Materials

You will be expected to have the following materials to be prepared for this class. However, if you cannot obtain paper and a writing utensil for this class, please see the teacher immediately.

- A writing utensil. Pencils are usually preferable because errors are easily fixed, but a pen, blue or black ink, is acceptable as well. Students are expected to have a writing utensil each and every day.

- Your English Textbook

- Paper

- A composition notebook

- A highlighter

Grading Policy

Percentage earned

Number Scale

Term used

Letter Grade Equivalent

100% - 90%

4

Advanced

A

89% - 80%

3

Proficient

B

79% - 70%

2

Basic

C**

69% - 60%

1

Below Basic

D

59% - 0%

0

Far Below Basic

F

CLASSWORK

40%

TEST & ESSAYS

60%

The basics of how to succeed in English class are listed below:

· Retake quizzes. Students are allowed to retake quizzes. This gives all students additional time to learn the standards and attempt to raise their grades.

· Know your grade. Students must be prepared to be graded on 60% from tests/essays/quizzes/major projects, and the other 40% come from classwork/weekly assignments.

· Strive for proficiency or above. Students are encouraged to ask topic-related questions in class or via email. Students are encouraged to be responsible for annotating articles, review notes daily, and practice excellent study habits. See teacher if you need STUDY TIPS!

Absences/Late Work

ALL late work will be marked down a grade unless it is due to an excused absence or pre-approved educational plan. If an assignment is due on a day the student is absent, he/she is expected to submit the assignment on the first day back to class. If a student is gone on the day an assignment is given, he/she will be expected to check in with the teacher via in person or email, OR check AERIES.

How to Contact Mrs. Burns

The BEST way to contact me is via email ( devinburns@antiochschools.net) or messaging me on TEAMS.

PARENT SIGNATURE ( 10 pts):

Antioch High School

Devin Burns

Devin Burns

Helpful Resources

Class Syllabus

Periods

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Period 4

Period 5

Period 6