Welcome!

Welcome to an exciting year of exploration!

 We'll be moving through over two hundred years of literature in the following nine months, stopping periodically to incorporate some business writing and presentation skills. We'll work on our discussion tactics and our understanding of historic texts. In short, we will learn!

We're using Sycamore, in the hallowed tradition of Mr. Pruitt, for many of the assignments, but all homework will still be written on the board for each day. You'll have all the homework for the week up on Monday so that you can be prepared.

I'm excited to start this year out with you. If nothing else, remember this: I am here to help you. Talk to me. Explain what may be bothering you. Let's work as a team.
 

Some basic information:

Grading:

Percent
20%	In-class work
20%	Tests & Quizzes
40%	Papers
20%	Final exam

Tools:  You, as the student, are an integral part of this class. I'm glad you're here; I'm excited to see what you will add to the classroom. As an integral part of the course, I expect you to show up for every class with a notebook, writing utensils, your kindle or current text, and your homework finished. The reading load is such that you need to carve out a schedule for your week for the reading. Some weeks will be lighter than others so plan ahead. The entire reading load is available for you on your kindle.

Notebooks:  you will need a notebook that has a DETACHABLE section for Little Writes (which we will do once a week) and a separate section for Vocabulary words.

Kindles:  you will be assigned a kindle for most of your texts. You will sign for the kindle and you will be responsible for returning it in the same condition. If you prefer a hard copy, come talk to me.

Email:  Each student will be required to create a Gmail account. Your Gmail account should be a combination of your first and last name.  Jstuck is acceptable. J-dawgbomdiggity is not. This email will be used for formal communication with me. We will use this email extensively to communicate and to hand in assignments. This email will be used in conjunction with Sycamore.   

PASS-A-NOTE IS NOT ACCEPTED AS A PROPER COMMUNICATION MODE.

SSR:  you will read a book of your choice (pending my approval) each month.   For EACH SSR day, we will meet in class and then move over to the library. You will bring two books (the book you have read and the book you are going to read). The assignment on sycamore will have the link to the online form for you to fill out. Since it is the SAME form each month, there is no excuse for you not to fill it out.

Assignments:  Students will have their own ‘mailbox’ in class. Assignments will be handed back via these mailboxes. Please keep them as empty as possible.  Because our work builds on itself, not doing assignments is simply not an option. The rest of the year will be confusing and frustrating to you if you miss out. If you do not have the assignment with you at the beginning of the class period you will fill out a Missing Assignment form. These forms are sent to the Principal and he will take appropriate action. 

Computer failure:  If you cannot complete your assignments because of an electronic failure, you must provide a note or email signed by your guardian. 

Cell Phone/electronic devices:  Any unauthorized use of the device will cause the phone to be confiscated and handed in to the office.  Cell phones should be shut off during class period.

Group Projects:

Students will participate in a group presentation at least twice a year and will be assigned various group projects throughout the year. For all projects, the students are expected to test all equipment in class before the day of the presentation.

Under His Mercy

Jennifer Stück

jstuck@quisqueya.org

High school English and Creative Writing.