Mr. Toohey						
English 11							Assignments online: moodle.avhsd.org
Phone 718-3100 ext. 305					Grades online: PowerSchool
Email: ptoohey@avhsd.org
Curriculum, Procedures, and Expectations		

Curriculum
Literature:		Text:  Holt Literature and Language Arts, Fifth Course  
Assorted supplementary novels, articles, essays, etc. Specifically, students will be studying elements of story, drama, the novel, poetry, and non-fiction. English 11 is a focus on American Literature.

Writing:	Students will do a significant amount of writing this year.  We will spend much class time on the writing process.  We will begin mastery of paragraph structure and progress toward mastering essay writing.  Various types of writing assignments include creative pieces, expository essays such as the autobiographical incident, interpretive essays, persuasive pieces, cause and effect, and informational writing, and will relate to the literature.

Grammar:		Text:  Holt Handbook, Fifth Course
Students will study proper grammar, mechanics, and usage, including parts of speech, sentence structure, phrases and clauses.  

Vocabulary:	Assigned every Wednesday, or the flex day if not Wednesday. The vocabulary list is posted online, so if a student happens to miss class when new words are given, he or she is responsible for getting the words. Included will be root words and affixes.

Outside Reading:	Any time students have free time, they are encouraged to read. I always recommend parents have students read at least an hour a day, particularly when students may claim they have no homework for the night.

Grades:	Grades are determined on a percentage scale.  The value of assignments is determined by the complexity and difficulty of the assignment.  Progress reports are sent home approximately every five weeks.

Homework:  	Students will have homework assigned most every night. If homework is not assigned, students are expected to work on long-term assignments or independent reading.  Late work may be accepted, but not for full credit and only if already completed when approaching the teacher about it. Acceptance is strictly at the teacher’s discretion.

Make-up work: 	Students who have excused absences are able make up work missed during the absence, and at no penalty. However, it is the responsibility of the student to get missed assignments immediately upon return to school. Students should look first to the Moodle website (above) for missed assignments, and turn in those assignments in a timely fashion. Students who take their time finding out what was missed may not receive credit for missed work in such circumstances.

Extra Credit: 		Extra credit may be offered from time to time, and solely at the teacher’s discretion.

Teacher Expectations:
•	Students will be in their assigned seats when the bell rings
•	Students should have all necessary materials brought to class daily
•	Cell phone policy: any cell phone use—visible or not—in class will result in After School Work – no exceptions; this includes cell phones ringing in class
•	Students at no time should have iPods or other music listening devices or electronic devices out or visible, whether on or off; students who break this rule will be assigned After School Work – no exceptions
•	Class time is not nap time: students with their heads down on their tables (or books, backpacks, etc.) will be given After School Work – no exceptions
•	Any students cursing or using inappropriate language will be assigned After School Work – no exceptions
•	Bags, backpacks should be left on the floor, not on the table
•	This is not an exhaustive list of expectations; rather, this is a list of common but easily correctible problems
•	Please understand that disciplining any given student may be occasionally necessary. Students who are disruptive, whether occasionally or habitually, are not only hurting their own chances in the class, but are interfering with the opportunity to learn for every other student in the class.

Aims and Outcomes of English 11:  This program includes the introduction to and critical analysis of major literary works in various genres.  Students will develop and refine written and oral communication skills through oral presentations and interpretive and creative writing compositions.  Emphasis will be placed on organizational processes and content.  Students will further expand vocabulary and learn or review basic usage and mechanics skills.  

Students and parents:

Please sign and return the entire form to Mr. Toohey. If you need a hard copy, feel free to either photocopy this document, or you may find this document is available online at any time at 

http://moodle.avhsd.org/course/view.php?id=622

I have read the above class rules and expectations for Mr. Toohey’s English 11 class.

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