CP Senior course description and expectations

This course further expands students’ ability to use written expression for their expository, critical, and narrative essays. Students read from a variety of genres using a critical lens to forward analysis for class discussion and assignments outside of the classroom. Students participate in curriculum-centered activities that engage them in critical thinking, and technology serves as a tool in this course to forward projects, presentations, and writing assignments. The literature component of the senior year features all major genres.

Reading List:
A variety of personal essays, nonfiction, and short works of fiction––this is where I hope to increase inclusion from other points of view and cultures
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
A selection from the short stories by Z. Z. Packer’s Drinking Coffee Elsewhere

Class Rules and Policies:
Cell phones, electronic communication devices, and computer policy:
Cell phones and other electronic communication devices must be turned off and stored during class. In addition, computers are to be used for class purposes, not for social networking, gaming, or homework for other courses. If a student uses a phone, computer, or other communication devices contrary to class rules, the student will be asked for the device and may lose computer privileges (well, while we are remote, you can’t lose computer privileges!). Cell phones will be returned to the student at the end of class.

Class behavior:
I expect everyone to treat each other with courtesy and respect. Tolerance and cooperation are essential to supporting each other. Insults, intimidation, sarcasm, harassment, and bullying do not belong in our classroom. If I am absent, I expect everyone to cooperate with the substitute and be productive during my absence.
Cheating and plagiarism:
Cheating and plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment, including tests and exams. There is no reason to cheat in our class; anyone having difficulty completing work needs to talk to me in order to manage and solve the problem. Cheating includes using a summary of a literary work from sites such as Sparknotes, copying another’s homework, notes, or assessment answers, and presenting someone else’s writing or research as your own. Plagiarism is deemed as using another’s ideas, words, or work as if they were your own. It is a form of cheating and CCHS rules will be enforced (see CCHS handbook).
Care of class materials and classroom:
Students need to return any course materials in good condition at the end of the year. If damaged or missing, a replacement cost is charged. I expect students to adhere to the school rules regarding food in our classroom and to leave the classroom and desks in good condition–just as they found them upon entering the room.

Attendance and Tardiness:
I expect students to attend class on time and on a regular basis. Please read and follow the CCHS attendance policy outlined in the Handbook for Students and Parents. An unexcused absence from class may result in a detention and will result in a zero for that day’s work, including assessments. If students are late, they should place their pass on my desk. Students are expected to use passes infrequently and for relatively short periods of time (5/7 minutes) from our class. If students are out of class for an unreasonable amount of time, they will probably be asked to make up this time with me either using their “free” time during the day or after school to make sure that they are aware of the entire lesson. If students need to access a counselor during class time, they may leave class quietly without making a request for a pass and the counselor should send me an email.

Extra help:
I can be available most days before or after school for extra help. Oftentimes, I am able to meet during the day with advance notice. We can no longer meet over Zoom (yup, we are in school!). My teaching blocks are A and G with seniors, and D and E with sophomores. My weekly “office hours” are Wednesdays after school.

Grading:
Grades will be calculated on a total points basis. Smaller assignments such as homework, small quizzes, and participation will be on the low end of points, larger assignments such as class research and essay drafts, will be a bit more, and the largest chunk of change 🙂 tests, Socratic seminars, presentations, and polished essays.

Grade Scale:
97-100 A+ 93-96 A 90-92 A-
87-89 B+ 83-86 B 80-82 B-
77-79 C+ 73-76 C 70-72 C-
67-69 D+ 63-66 D 60-62 D- Below 60 F