ALL HOMEWORK AND OTHER INFORMATION are now located at the following Website:
Blackboard.pgcps.org

Your username should be the student's FIRST NAME followed by a hyphen then the LAST NAME (example: joe-smith). The password should be the last 4 digits of the student's STUDENT ID.

Assigned on the following nights, and due at the beginning of the NEXT class.

10/05 - Friday - None

10/04 - Thursday - Complete Vocabulary Flash Cards; Prepare for "Dangerous Game" Test

10/03 - Wednesday - GUM pages 19-20

10/02 - Tuesday - Precise Verbs Worksheet

10/01 - Monday - None

9/28 - Friday - None

9/27 - Thursday - "Dangerous Game" Plot Drawing; Prepare for Vocabulary Test

9/26 - Wednesday - None

9/25 - Tuesday - GUM pages 93-94 and 169-170

9/24 - Monday - None

9/20 - Thursday - (first period) Grammar Worksheet

9/19 - Wednesday - GUM pages 91-92; Vocabulary Flash Cards

9/18 - Tuesday - (extra credit) Vocabulary Review

9/17 - Monday - Elements of Fiction Worksheet on The Necklace

9/14 - Friday - None

9/12 - Wednesday - Vocabulary Flash Cards; prepare for Pronoun Test

9/11 - Tuesday - GUM pages 7-8

9/10 - Monday - None

9/7 - Friday - (extra credit) Rewrite "Plainswoman" BCR

9/6 - Thursday - Vocabulary Flash Cards

9/5 - Wednesday - GUM page 5

9/4 - Tuesday - Complete "Plainswoman" BCR First Draft

9/1 - Friday - None

8/30 - Thursday - GUM page 2

8/29 - Wednesday - Finish Reading "Plainswoman" and Worksheet

8/28 - Tuesday - None

8/27 - Monday - List all Nouns in first 2 paragraphs of "Plainswoman"

8/24 - Friday - None

8/23 - Thursday - Vocabulary Flashcards

8/22 - Wednesday - None

8/21 - Tuesday - Signed Syllabus

8/20 - Monday - Signed Parent Information Sheet

MSN  Encarta Dictionary

This includes detailed definitions of all words. You may also click on the "Thesaurus" tab to see the thesaurus listing for the words you look up.

MSN Encarta Thesaurus

This is useful if you want to go straight to the thesaurus entry for a word.

Dictionary.com

This Website is quick and easy-to-use and also includes thesaurus entries for words.

English Core Learning Goals:

The goals below guide all instruction in English classes at Laurel High School:
1.The student will demonstrate the ability to respond to a text by employing personal experiences and critical analysis.

2.The student will demonstrate the ability to compose in a variety of modes by developing content, employing specific forms, and selecting language appropriate for a particular audience and purpose.

3.The student will demonstrate the ability to control language by applying the conventions of Standard English in writing and speaking.

4.The student will demonstrate the ability to evaluate the content, organization, and language use of texts.

Grading Policy:

The assignments will count for the following percentages of the total grade:

Assessments = 50%
Writing Assignments = 30%
Classwork = 10%
Homework = 10%

Course Outline:

Overall, the course will be divided into thematic units. The theme of the entire year is What creates a person's perspective, and how does this perspective shape his or her world? Each unit will touch on an aspect of this theme (with the first unit focusing on the unique perspective of the students, themselves).
Section I.    Short Stories
The Necklace
The Most Dangerous Game
The Cask of Amontillado
NOVEL: Of Mice and Men

Section II.   Poetry
Robert Frost
Edgar Allen Poe
Emily Dickinson
Langston Hughes
NOVEL: The Odyssey

Section III. Non-fiction
From The Perfect Storm
From Black Boy
NOVEL: The House on Mango Street

Section IV. Drama
Trifles
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
NOVEL: To be determined

Class Supply List:

Students must bring a separate English notebook (at least 1 inch think) to class every day. The notebook should contain 5 dividers labeled with the following sections (and each section needs loose-leaf paper within it):

1)    Vocabulary
2)    Grammar
3)    Reading
4)    Writing
5)    Journal

This notebook must also contain a three-hole punched zipper pouch (available at Staples, Target, or Office Depot) containing the following (to be used every class):

1)    Pens and pencils
2)    Colored pencils
3)    3x5 notecards (lined or unlined)
4)    Post-It Notes

Student notebooks will be kept in class at all times and checked (for a grade) at least once a week.

Writing Standards:

I will give a variety of writing assignments in my class. Some of these, such as journals, freewriting, and warm ups, will not be graded on organization. However, all writing assignments announced as FORMAL writing assignments must meet all of the following requirements:

1)    Contain the name, date, and period in the top right of the first page
2)    Use either blue or black ink or a pencil
3)    Use loose-leaf note-book paper (not from spiral-bound notebook)
4)    Contain a written PURPOSE and AUDIENCE at the top of the page
5)    Skip lines (whether written or typed)

Written work will lose a letter grade for each of the above requirements not met.

Make-Up Work

Students may submit late work only when it is accompanied by a note containing a reason for the absence approved by Prince George�s County Public Schools. A student with an excused absence has two class days to submit all late assignments for a grade.

If students are absent on the day a test is given, they will be expected to take the test either on the day they return or the following day. They must arrange to take the test either before school, during lunch, or after school between 2:25 and 3:00.

Cheating and Plagiarism

Cheating is defined as dealing dishonestly or deceptively with someone in order to obtain advantage or gain (Webster).  A few examples of cheating are (1) copying from another's exam, test, quiz, or homework paper, (2) deliberately planning to engage in a dishonest academic practice such as gaining access to an exam, test, and/or quiz prior to the time it is to be given, and (3) extracting information regarding an exam, test, or quiz from other students.

Plagiarism is defined as the act of taking, copying, and using ideas, writings, and other works from another and passing them off as one's own work (Webster).  In other words, plagiarism occurs when a student steals or uses the ideas or writings of another and presents these ideas or writings as his or her own. Some examples of plagiarism are (1) copying verbatim from an original author, (2) copying verbatim with only a few words altered from an original author, (3) turning in another student's work without that student's knowledge, (4) turning in an assignment a classmate/peer has written for the student, and (5) turning in a paper from a "free research paper" website.
Students can expect a grade of ZERO for cheating and plagiaristic offenses.

Bathroom Policy

Students should be taking time out of class to go to the bathroom only for emergencies. They may take up to three breaks during the course of each quarter. A pass will be provided at the front of the room. Students will be given three coupons that can be turned in for bathroom passes during the quarter. Those needing to use one of their three passes must raise their hand, give the teacher one of their coupons, obtain the permission of the teacher, and grab the bathroom pass before leaving. Any unused bathroom pass coupons can be turned in at the end of each quarter for extra credit.