Course Overview
English I Pre-AP (Advanced Placement) is designed as part of a highly-accelerated program that will ultimately prepare students to take advanced-placement tests in their junior and senior years of high school. Students in this course are often operating at the level of a high school junior and enjoy the challenge of these reading and writing intensive assignments. In this course emphasis will be placed on vocabulary development and units of advanced syntax and usage. Major literary works will include a choice of a young adult fiction book, House on Mango Street, To Kill a Mockingbird; Romeo and Juliet; and a classic novel. In addition, selected short stories, nonfiction and poetry will be studied. There will be major grade process writing assignments which include analytical and expository pieces, as well as in-class timed-writings. There will also be frequent discussions, occasional major projects, periodic research, and daily outside reading. Students will be expected to independently manage reading and writing assignments and will be expected to demonstrate strong critical thinking skills of analysis, evaluation, and synthesis through participation in classroom discussion and writing.
Necessary Materials—Required Daily
Grading Policy
Student grades for each nine-week grading period will be based on major grades (60%), quiz grades (25%), and daily grades (15%). Major grades are derived from tests, compositions, projects, etc. Quiz grades consist of announced quizzes, minor projects, involved group work, etc. Daily grades consist of unannounced quizzes, routine classwork, written homework, minor research, etc.
NOTE: Assignments posted in Skyward are coded as follows:
* - Assignments that have yet to be graded/entered (this is NOT a missing assignment)
0 or INC - A missing or incomplete assignment
100 - A numeric value entered means the assignment has been graded and entered.
Remember: thoroughly evaluated assignments take time and grades will be entered in Skyward upon completion.
Absence Policy
School policy states students will receive one make-up day per day of excused absence. It is the student’s responsibility to manage absences and make-up work—failure to complete missed assignments in accordance with the school policy will result in a 0. Work previously assigned is due the day the student returns. Missed quizzes and/or tests are to be taken in the Testing Center in a timely manner.
If an absence is deemed unexcused, the student will not be given credit for any assignment(s) submitted, including quizzes, tests, and major grade assignments as per school policy.
NOTE:Please check Google Classroom and Calendar for assignments and due dates. It is the student’s responsibility to meet with me regarding any question/concerns on the work missed.
Tardy Policy
Students should be well versed with the handbook’s policy regarding tardiness. I expect you to be in your seat by the tardy bell so we can maximize instructional time.
Late Work & ReWrite Policy
Within each assignment, your instructor will include the details for any late work or rewrite opportunities that may be available.
UIL Participation
Please be aware of the UIL rules/regulations. If a student fails a class, the student may be ineligible to participate.
Technology & Cell Phone Policy
Cell phones and headphones are NOT allowed in the classroom without express permission. Technology is a wonderful tool, but is considered a privilege in my classroom. Inappropriate use of electronic devices will be dealt with based on the offense. Please familiarize yourself with the technology policy in the Westlake Handbook. School-issued iPads are required for dissemination of information—if your iPad is not charged, you will work on paper.
Honor Code, Dress Code, and Appropriate Computer Use
As a student of WHS, you are expected to abide by the WHS Honor Code, Dress Code, and Electronic Appropriate Use Guidelines. All assigned work is to be completed on an individual basis unless otherwise noted. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a zero for the assignment and disciplinary action will be taken.
STAAR Test
Ninth grade students will be required to take the state-mandated English I STAAR/EOC Exam in the Spring.
Students Enrolled in the GT Program
During the year, options will be offered with selected assignments that will allow your particular area(s) of giftedness to shine. Please take the initiative and submit a written proposal for any ideas you may have as well.
English I Pre-AP (Advanced Placement) is designed as part of a highly-accelerated program that will ultimately prepare students to take advanced-placement tests in their junior and senior years of high school. Students in this course are often operating at the level of a high school junior and enjoy the challenge of these reading and writing intensive assignments. In this course emphasis will be placed on vocabulary development and units of advanced syntax and usage. Major literary works will include a choice of a young adult fiction book, House on Mango Street, To Kill a Mockingbird; Romeo and Juliet; and a classic novel. In addition, selected short stories, nonfiction and poetry will be studied. There will be major grade process writing assignments which include analytical and expository pieces, as well as in-class timed-writings. There will also be frequent discussions, occasional major projects, periodic research, and daily outside reading. Students will be expected to independently manage reading and writing assignments and will be expected to demonstrate strong critical thinking skills of analysis, evaluation, and synthesis through participation in classroom discussion and writing.
Necessary Materials—Required Daily
- 5-Subject, spiral bound notebook
- Glue sticks/tape
- Loose leaf notebook paper
- Pens (blue and black ink)
- Colored pens/pencils
- Highlighters (4+ colors)
- Post It Notes (1 package any color)
- 5x7 Lined Index Cards (1 package)
Grading Policy
Student grades for each nine-week grading period will be based on major grades (60%), quiz grades (25%), and daily grades (15%). Major grades are derived from tests, compositions, projects, etc. Quiz grades consist of announced quizzes, minor projects, involved group work, etc. Daily grades consist of unannounced quizzes, routine classwork, written homework, minor research, etc.
NOTE: Assignments posted in Skyward are coded as follows:
* - Assignments that have yet to be graded/entered (this is NOT a missing assignment)
0 or INC - A missing or incomplete assignment
100 - A numeric value entered means the assignment has been graded and entered.
Remember: thoroughly evaluated assignments take time and grades will be entered in Skyward upon completion.
Absence Policy
School policy states students will receive one make-up day per day of excused absence. It is the student’s responsibility to manage absences and make-up work—failure to complete missed assignments in accordance with the school policy will result in a 0. Work previously assigned is due the day the student returns. Missed quizzes and/or tests are to be taken in the Testing Center in a timely manner.
If an absence is deemed unexcused, the student will not be given credit for any assignment(s) submitted, including quizzes, tests, and major grade assignments as per school policy.
NOTE:Please check Google Classroom and Calendar for assignments and due dates. It is the student’s responsibility to meet with me regarding any question/concerns on the work missed.
Tardy Policy
Students should be well versed with the handbook’s policy regarding tardiness. I expect you to be in your seat by the tardy bell so we can maximize instructional time.
Late Work & ReWrite Policy
Within each assignment, your instructor will include the details for any late work or rewrite opportunities that may be available.
UIL Participation
Please be aware of the UIL rules/regulations. If a student fails a class, the student may be ineligible to participate.
Technology & Cell Phone Policy
Cell phones and headphones are NOT allowed in the classroom without express permission. Technology is a wonderful tool, but is considered a privilege in my classroom. Inappropriate use of electronic devices will be dealt with based on the offense. Please familiarize yourself with the technology policy in the Westlake Handbook. School-issued iPads are required for dissemination of information—if your iPad is not charged, you will work on paper.
Honor Code, Dress Code, and Appropriate Computer Use
As a student of WHS, you are expected to abide by the WHS Honor Code, Dress Code, and Electronic Appropriate Use Guidelines. All assigned work is to be completed on an individual basis unless otherwise noted. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a zero for the assignment and disciplinary action will be taken.
STAAR Test
Ninth grade students will be required to take the state-mandated English I STAAR/EOC Exam in the Spring.
Students Enrolled in the GT Program
During the year, options will be offered with selected assignments that will allow your particular area(s) of giftedness to shine. Please take the initiative and submit a written proposal for any ideas you may have as well.