Pages

Monday, January 27, 2014

Spring Semester 2014

Hello Beautiful People....

I hope life is well with you. I wanted to give you some info you'll need to make this a TEEEERRRIIFFFICCC semester!!

1. Read -- you DO have time. Choose it!
2. Write -- your story is important!
3. Observe -- what's going on around you? in the state? in the nation? in the world? (dare I say, in the cafeteria???!!!!)
4. Laugh -- it's the best medicine!
5. Delve -- find your passion & figure out how to pursue it.
6. List -- lists can save you with homework, a job, your parents, and your sanity!
7. Create -- don't just listen to music; make it. don't just watch videos; shoot them. don't just play video games; make your own.
8. Support -- your parents & family, your friends, your own learning, your teachers.
9. Identify -- your strengths, your learning style, your joy
10. Plan -- your schedule for studying and for the best shot at a wonderful career.
11. Produce -- your best work; don't settle for a "passing" grade. Demand that you LEARN!!
12. Choose -- to look at the good things in your life.
13. Discuss -- let me know if you're having trouble in class so I can help you. That's why they pay me the big bucks! (jk -- I don't really get paid much! haha)

Here's to a SPECTACULAR semester! I'm so glad you're here!!





Oh, here's your syllabus:
Welcome to English II
Stephanie McCabe, MEd
Phone: 704.736.9453  Email: smccabe@lincoln.k12.nc.us
Remind 101 to receive text updates:
704-754-5543, send the message: @a59a  

Essential Question: Who am I as a world citizen?

Welcome to a new semester and a new adventure! English II focuses on literature by, and about, people of diverse backgrounds, stresses themes of cultural and linguistic diversity, and develops critical thinking skills through class discussions and oral and written presentations. Writing is emphasized in this class for your own enjoyment and success in future classes. The overriding theme of this class is: How will a study of World Literature help me live in a “Flat” World? (Thanks to Tom Friedman).                                    

REQUIRED MATERIALS
Please bring the following materials:

J       1 marbled composition book (100 pages)
J       3-ring binder with 5 dividers & loose-leaf notebook paper
J       Writing utensils (pencil/pens); highlighters & colored pencils
J       2 glue sticks
J       Post-it notes
J       a FLASHDRIVE is recommended, but not required (an inexpensive one, please!)
J       box of Kleenex
BEHAVIOR & CONDUCT
**All WLHS rules can be found in your student handbook. Please pay close attention to the dress code and appropriate use of cell phones. Misbehaving in this class not only disturbs your own learning but that of classmates as well and will not be tolerated. Bathroom passes for the semester are issued the first day.

CURRICULUM
**We read the world in 10th grade! The short stories, novels, plays, and essays are diverse in regard to authors and the world events they portray. We will spend a lot of time with technology, especially blogging and Google Docs. Each student should also be prepared to read a minimum of 750 pages this semester—beyond what I assign. Will you join the 5,000 pages club???  Please come with an open mind!

**A new program Ms. Riley and I have developed for this semester involves Family Literacy Nights (one at the end of February and one at the end of May). Participating in the activities will showcase your reading and writing through the weeks of class. We want all your parents, guardians, and family members to attend.
                                               
GRADING POLICY
**Grades are weighted as follows (per WLHS Grading Practice 2013)
Class work/Quizzes/Homework        25%                           
 Independent Reading/ Tests/ Papers/Projects    75%               
**Papers, projects, and other major assignments must be turned in on or before the specified date for full credit (we will usually decide on these due dates together).  If you are absent, your parent must contact me before 3:15 THAT DAY. It is only on this condition that I will accept late papers with no penalty; otherwise, I will deduct 10 points for each day your work is late.
LAST THOUGHTS
An English class is a big deal. I expect all students to show curiosity about the world and be able to complete assignments with more independence.  I expect you to think critically and be able to articulate that through class discussions and written compositions. We will work hard in this class to read and write something important every day, for access to words is one of the first freedoms taken away when humans have been enslaved or have been subject to totalitarian regimes. This understanding—and what to do about it-- is one of the most important ones that I hope you take away from this semester. I have high expectations of you—both as students and as individuals. You should have these same expectations for me as your teacher, so please feel free to tell me if you think something is not going right.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------