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CANYON HIGH SCHOOL

Fall Semester 2020-21

Teacher: Mr. Kenneth Hill

Email: khill@hartdistrict.org

Website: http://www.kmhill.com

ERWC (Expository Reading and Writing Course)

August 10, 2020

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,

It is my pleasure to serve as your 12th grade Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC) English Teacher. Navigating distance learning will require ingenuity, self-regulation, and personal ownership. I have built a detailed website (www.kmhill.com) that will complement the Google Classroom content to make this an easy, engaging, and productive transition into your special Senior year!

To be best prepared for school on Tuesday, August 11th, there are a few steps needed: 

1. Depending on what period you are enrolled in, please join my Google Classroom prior to August 11.

• Class Code: 

• Period 2: xlyfbv6

• Period 3: e5k3a7x

• Period 4: 5yb5awr

• Period 5: ea567nq

• Period 7: 5geci5t

2. Please spend a few minutes navigating my website: www.kmhill.com
   

• Home > ERWC >  CALENDAR 

• E,g., ZOOM Code > Assignments and Deadlines 

3. Google Classroom is an extension to www.kmhill.com: same content, different tools. Google classroom is used to post class announcements and check for submitted work.

4. ZOOM Meetings: 

• Please download or bookmark ZOOM for our online, virtual discussions.

• Zoom ID: ID: 843 165 3138

• Please log in at your appointed time.

*Our meetings will be recorded, and you will be required to have your camera on during class (per district policy). *If you don’t have a Zoom account with your Hart District email address, please go to zoom.us and sign up for one. 

5. Be familiar with the bell and block schedule: www.kmhill.com 

Sincerely,

Mr. Hill Email: * email: hartdistrict.org

Introduction

Welcome to ERWC!  In this class, students will learn to closely and attentively read, annotate, and analyze critical works of literature and an array of nonfiction texts.  Through this course, students will use research and technology to locate information and engage in collaborative conversations.  Students will share opinions and reform viewpoints through a variety of written and speaking performance tasks. Finally, the English 12 ERWC will build creativity, innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and communication: all skills needed to either begin post-secondary education or to start a career.

DISTANCE LEARNING MODIFICATIONS:

The district has made it compulsory for attendance and participation to be measured via online, video-conferencing (i.e. ZOOM). Please be present during your time segment indicated on the Exclusive Online Schedule. Below are following accepatable use technology policies framed by the District and agreed upon by each student-user:



Course Description

• The ERWC course is designed specifically to help prepare students for the rigorous demands of reading and writing in the first year of college and beyond.  This course has a heavy emphasis on the rhetorical thinking, writing, speaking, and reading of expository texts and literature that are predominant in the ‘real world’, as well as, post-secondary schools. These skills will help students with every area of their lives, as they will always have problems to solve and questions to answer.
• Common Core State Standards can be accessed at: http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RL/11-12/
  
• ERWC units may include, but are not limited to: What’s Next, Thinking About Life After High School, Into the Wild, Good Food/Bad Food, Brave New World, and The Value of Life.
• This class is designed so that every unit follows the same sequential method of rhetorical reading and writing.  Each topic we explore spans a 2-4 week period, depending on the length of the readings, and will follow this sequence:

○        Reading Rhetorically (strategies and activities for Pre-reading, Reading, and Post-Reading)

○        Connecting Reading to Writing (strategies and activities for Referencing Text, Negotiating Voices)

○        Writing Rhetorically (strategies and activities for Prewriting, Writing, REvising, Editing, Evaluating)

• Specific Assignment Requirements:

○        All work should be dated, titled, saved, and used to study from.              

○         Please use only blue or black ink pen on class work, homework and journals.

○         Final drafts of papers MUST BE TYPED and submitted to Turnitin.com. (For difficulties with this requirement please address them with the teacher)

○         Any work for which take-home time has been allowed is due at the beginning of the class period unless otherwise specified.

○        Do not copy homework assignments, as this is considered cheating, and each student participating will not receive credit on the assignment.

○        Class information, including quick-writes and other materials, can be found on Google Classroom.

●      As your teacher you can expect from me to help you succeed in this course:

i.      I will be prepared to teach each day

ii.     The content standards, daily objectives, and agenda will be written on the whiteboard daily

iii.    I will teach district- approved curriculum, aligned to the Common Core State Standards

iv.    I will prepare interesting and engaging lessons

v.     I will be available if you need extra help

●      As a student you can succeed in this class by:

i.      Coming to class on time, and prepared to learn each day

ii.     Completing your homework ON TIME

iii.    Identifying a study-buddy that you can contact if you are absent from class to get assignments or extra help

iv.    Using a student planner/calendar to organize your learning and keep track of your assignments

v.     Taking advantage of extra help

vi.    Taking responsibility for your learning

●      As parents you can help your child by:

i.      Taking an interest in your child’s studies

ii.     Talking with your child each night about what they learned in school and ask to see their notebooks

iii.    Helping your child develop good time management strategies

iv.    Working with your child to set realistic goals for success

v.     If you see that your child is having difficulties in class, please intervene immediately and contact the teacher

vi.    Attending Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meetings and other school events

• Full length movies will NOT be shown in class. 
• Suggested Materials for Student Success:

○        Three ring binder with dividers

○         Plenty of loose-leaf, college-ruled notebook paper

○         Student-reader articles for current unit (packets)

○        Blue or black pens

○        Highlighter (3 different colors)

○        Post-its

○        Outside reading book

Those student with difficulty obtaining the class materials above, please see the teacher.

(Other useful items to have: Notebook- sized three-hole puncher, Whiteout, Ruler, and Markers and/or colored pencils.)

Important Dates

• September 3, 2019: Back to School Night
• September 13, 2019: Quarter 1 Progress Report grades due
• October 18, 2019: Quarter 1 Report Card grades due
• November 15, 2019: Quarter 2 Progress Report grades due
• December 17-19, 2019: First Semester Finals
• December 19, 2019: Semester 1 Report Card grades due
• Student grades will be computed based on the practice of skills in the form of journals, classwork, and homework. Additionally, it will be based off of the grades that represent mastery of skills taught in the form of tests, quizzes, essays, performance tasks and oral presentations. The student’s grade will be calculated at the end of each five week period, and a progress report or report card will be issued.  Appropriate interventions will be provided for any student still working toward mastery of content standards.
• All grades will be available for viewing through our online computer program, Infinite Campus.  Checking IC regularly will help students keep track of any missing assignments and stay informed on their overall progress in this class.

Grading

*As a 12th grader, soon to be entering into a post-secondary education or career, students need to manage their time wisely, anticipate any problems that may arise, and plan accordingly to ensure all work is turned in on time and reflects their best effort

• The following scale consists of one category (i.e., assignments) and is not weighted.  Grades can be calculated based on earn points divided by total points.

• A = 89.5-100% B  = 79.5-89.4% C  = 69.5-79.4% 

            D = 59.5-69.4% F = 0-59.4%

• All grades will be available for viewing through our online computer program, Infinite Campus.  Checking IC regularly will help students keep track of any missing assignments and stay informed on their overall progress in this class.
• Homework Policy

○        Homework can be expected 2-3 nights per week.  Students need to use their planners every day to write down all important dates and assignments.  Any homework given will be meaningful and promote student learning.   All homework assignments will be clearly identified with the due date.

○        Homework assignments should take no more than 20 minutes to complete.  If it takes longer than that, please email so I am aware of the struggle.  Feedback helps me plan.  I may need to reteach a concept the next day and provide more guided practice.  That gives students the time and opportunity to try again.

○        I would also like to be kept updated on any major changes that go on at home that might affect your child’s performance or behavior in the classroom.  We can work together to solve any problem.

• Late-work Policy

○        Students are responsible for knowing due dates for all assignments and completing their work on time, regardless of possible malfunctions with technology etc. If the assignment is not complete when collected by the teacher, the assignment is then deemed “late” and will only be given partial credit. Students have the duration of each five week grading period to turn in late work completed in that grading period for partial credit.

○        All late work will be accepted until the Monday prior to the end of the grading period.  Alternate assignments may be given for special circumstances.  I am available for help at brunch or lunch by appointment.

○        Every effort should be made to turn work in on time.  However, I will accept late work as long as the assignments is still in the unit we are covering and/or before any final assessments are given on that topic.  Students with special circumstances are encouraged to speak with me so that I can help you succeed.

• Make-up Work Policy

○        For excused absences, students will have the same number of days of their absence to make-up work for full credit. Students must check Google Classroom, and the Student Corner for absent work, to see what was missed before asking the teacher.

○        When turning in make-up work for excused absences, students must write “ABSENT” in bold across the top of the paper. Make-up work for all unexcused absences will be deemed late.  No make- up opportunity will be allowed for students with an unexcused absence on the day of the exam. (Exceptions may be made pending clearance of absences).  Students who are absent for a test are responsible for arranging an acceptable make-up time.

• Retaking Tests

○        If a student does not understand a concept the first time it is assessed, he or she may continue to learn, and may reassess their understanding at the teacher’s discretion.  By allowing students to reassess, students can work on the concepts that they do not understand and show me that they have learned the material through additional practice. Ultimately, this is what is most important – that students leave my class understanding the concepts we have discussed over the course of the year, even if they have learned them at different speeds.

○        Differentiation practices

■        Vocabulary cards/games

■        Goal setting and assessment participation

■        Student Choice Key vocabulary

■        Visuals

■        Auditory Provided

■        Graphic Organizers

■        Color enhanced materials

■        Brainstorming activities

■        Writing realia (Physically, on location)

■        Technology intervention for their needs

■        Group work by interpersonal intelligences

■        Creative Projects/ Presentation choices

■        Modeling whole group

○        I am available at brunch and lunch by appointment.

○        Fall Semester/Late Start Wednesday/Student Help Days for English

Classroom Expectations

                The "Social Contract" for working together in the classroom will beanalyzed and applied within the first two weeks of the school year. This process sets the tone of the learning environment based on the rules, routines, and procedures that the students put into place. The social contract encourages effort, listening, and respect in classroom.

• Be Responsible – Stay focused.  Be prepared to do your best daily.  Help others and contribute positively to our teamwork in class.  Bring your supplies daily, and all homework, classwork, and assignments completed on time.  Make good choices every day.
• Be Respectful – Be kind to others.  Respect their work, property, and materials.  Be attentive during lessons and follow directions the first time.  Do not disturb or distract others while working.  Treat yourself and others the way you would like to be treated – with kindness and respect, following all school and classroom rules.  Speak with good purpose, and have a positive attitude. No chewing gum, eating, or drinking in the classroom. Be sure to raise your hand to share opinions, comments or questions.
• Be Ready –Be seated and ready to start when the bell rings – physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared to learn every day. If student is not in their seat when the bell rings, the student will be marked tardy. The school tardy policy and the district attendance policy will be in effect in this class.
• Cell Phone Policy

It is District Policy that all phones be off and put away upon arriving to class or before entering any school building. Notice of Student and Parent Rights, Regulations & Responsibilities – (Ed Code 48901.5 and BP 5142.4). Unless the teacher allows the use of cell phones or any other electronic device for the use of research connected to any of the ERWC modules, the student will abide by the stated Ed Code.  Twelfth grade ERWC students should be able to manage and practice appropriate use of technology that is solely related to the curriculum. This inlcudes watching videos or playing computer games unrelated to the curriculum during class instriction. The below due process includes all technology use by using the cell phone as the specific example for disciplinary protocol.

○        1^st – warning

○        2^nd – phone removed from student ( kept in secure classroom location or sent to SRC- teacher to contact parent).

○        3^rd – phone removed from student (Sent to SRC, parent contact by AP, parent to pick up phone, student assigned SOC)

○        4^th – phone to be left at home or with administration daily

• Academic Integrity

There is a zero tolerance policy for any cheating or academic dishonesty. All work turned in must reflect a student’s best effort, and be their own thoughts and ideas. Any academic dishonesty will result in a parent/teacher conference and referral to the Assistant Principal.  Students will still be required to complete the assignment; at the teacher’s discretion, an alternative assignment will be provided.  Bottom line: I want to see your work, not someone else’s!  If you feel the need to turn in the work of another, please come speak with me -- I will help you!

Policy on Plagiarism/ Academic Dishonesty: Quite simply, academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.

●      To plagiarize is to use and pass off (the ideas or writing of another) as one’s own. This means that when you take credit for someone else’s ideas, thoughts or words, you are committing plagiarism.  This does not just apply to the person stealing the information.  If you allow someone to steal your ideas, thought or words, you are guilty of academic dishonesty as well.

●      If a student looks at another student’s paper or sends or receives test data during or before a quiz or test or uses materials on a test or quiz that has not been approved, this is a breach of Board Policy.

●      Any student who participates in any fashion, in any form of academic dishonesty will not only earn a zero on the assignment in question, but may face disciplinary action as well. Parents will be contacted, and the student in question will receive a disciplinary referral to the office. For a full list of consequences set forth by Canyon High School, please see the attached page based on Educational Code 44806.

• Restroom use: To help ensure students do not miss valuable classroom instruction, the following rules apply in all classes:

○        Have a current SCHOOL ID in his/her possession, once these have been issued

○        Have a valid Teacher pass or Student Summons pass

○        No electronic devices are to be used while on a pass from class

○        Comply with the “Ten Minute Rule,” which states that no passes are valid during the first and/or the last ten minutes of class

Communication

• Parents and Students can get up-to-date information on grades through Infinite Campus.  Also, students may check on Google Classroom. 
• Parents may also email me anytime and I will get back to them within 24 hours.  My email is: mkapp@hartdistrict.org

COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

Below is the College and Career Indicator chart.  Our goal at Canyon is for you to complete at least one of the measures to ensure that you graduate ready to to meet the demands of college and/or career.

*The X indicates what Measure(s) this class helps fulfill.

For more information regarding the importance of College and Career Readiness, please see your academic counselor.

Looking forward to a wonderful year of learning together!

All the best,

Mr. Hill,  English 12