Norris Language Department

Mrs. Nicole Boon

E- Mail: nicole.boon@norris160.org

Norris High School:  Room S-2

English 1000 Written Communications

Course Meets:            Section 1: Period 4A 11:55-1:55 Lunch 12:15-12:45

Section 2: Period 5A 2:00-3:30

Course Dates: January 4 – May 16

Description:

This course focuses on improving writing skills through review of written mechanics and Standard English conventions, participation in daily writing activities, and completion of essays using the writing process.

Course Objectives:

*Students will review the rules of Standard English grammar and usage and apply them to their writing.

*Students will use critical reading and thinking skills.

* Students will write compositions with clarity and precision.

*Students will gain basic research skills.

Required Textbook: (Provided by Norris High School)

*Carpini, Dominic Delli.  Composing a Life’s Work: Writing, Citizenship, and Your

Occupation.  New York: Pearson Longman,  2005.

Materials Needed:

*A three ring binder or pocket folder to keep classroom materials together.

*Notebook or loose-leaf paper to participate in in-class writing, pre-writing, free writing, and draft writing.

*A blue or black ink pen.

*Computer and internet access- so turn in your computer form immediately and use the school computers appropriately at all times.

*A jump drive (recommended but not required- you will need to save all work at school to your z-drive)

Course Outline: All due dates are subject to change due to unforeseen obstacles such as illness, snow days, and school events.

Assignment Formats: All typed papers should be in size 12 Times New Roman font.  All typed papers should be double spaced, and margins should be no more than 1 inch on any side.

Every day we will be involved in the work of reviewing Standard English grammar and usage rules, engaging in critical reading and thinking, writing journals or response papers, and participating in the process of writing.  You will be completing 5 polished essays of 4-5 pages each.  These essays will be due as follows:

*Goals Essay                                       January 24

*Process Description Essay                February 21

*Compare/Contrast Essay                   March 20

*Problem/Solution Essay                    April 17

*Persuasive Essay                               May 8

Specific details about each of these papers will be forthcoming.

Methods of Evaluation:

*Class Participation (210 pts)                                                 10 %

*Daily Work (415 pts)                                                            20%                                                    

*Daily Writing (400 pts)                                                         19%

*Polished Essays, Process, Presentation (1050 pts)                51%

                        Total:               2075 pts                                  100%

Course Information/Policies:

Class Participation Points:  Every day you walk into the classroom you have 5 points.  Points will be deducted  for being unprepared for class, not participating in class, causing distractions during class, being disrespectful to others who are participating in class, being disrespectful of the teacher during class, sleeping, or engaging in other off task behavior during class.  This list is not inclusive- any activity detrimental to the nature of the course will result in point deductions.

Writing Workshop:   Most every day you will be given time to work on your writing assignments either in class or in the computer lab.  This time is to be used to pre-write, draft, polish, edit, research, or ask questions of the teacher.  This time is given to you to help you to complete the requirements of this course with minimal outside homework time necessary.  This time is not be used to complete homework for other classes, surf the internet, talk to or text your friends, sleep, play games, or engage in any other off-task behavior.  Wasting writing time will lead to a deduction of class participation points, and will likely result in after-school detentions to make up the wasted time.

Self and Peer Evaluation:  With every major paper due for this course you will be asked to self evaluate and to peer evaluate the writing.  On these days you will need to come to class with a complete rough draft of your writing assignment.  You will work alone for self evaluation and in groups of 3-4 for peer evaluation.  Your job will be to provide positive and constructive feedback.  You will be required to write an evaluation.  Once you have finished this process, then you will have time to continue working on your paper.

Rewrites: You may rewrite your assignments for an improved grade.  Rewrites are due one week after I return the original.  With your rewrite, you must include the score sheet and original graded piece.  The best grade of the two goes into the grade book.

Food and Drink: NO FOOD.  You may have something to drink as long as it is in a screw or snap top lid, like a soda bottle or water bottle.  No open containers and no cappuccinos.

Late Policies: Writing assignments are due on the dates printed in this syllabus unless specifically changed by me.  If papers are late, 5% will be deducted for each class day the paper is late until 65% is reached.  A paper that is over 7 days late may still be turned in for a grade, but the highest grade that paper will receive is a 65%.  If a paper is not turned in, it will be entered as a zero in the grade book.  No rewrites are allowed on late papers.

Computer Policy:  You may use my computers before or after school to finish work.  During the school day or class, you must get permission from me before using the computers.

Lab Time: We will have plenty of lab time available for you to work on papers and get individual help from me during writing workshop time.  Any misbehavior in the lab will result in a seating chart for the lab and may also result in the deduction of points and detention time.  Misuse of the computers may lead to revocation of computer privileges.  Repeated offenses will be handled through the high school office.

Absences and Tardies:  If you miss a class due to illness or school activity you are expected to check in with me to make up the work you have missed.  You may do this before or after school, or during IAP.  You will have one warning if you are tardy to class, after that each tardy will result in 15 minutes of detention time.