Student Guide for Gold Team ELA

2008-2009 Mrs. Jordon

Room 219   

Required Supplies:  For this class you will need regular black or blue ink pens (NO RED!), number two pencils, a binder just for ELA, dividers, packages of loose-leaf paper, two spiral or marble notebooks, a folder, a cover for your text book, two packages of index cards, two highlighters (any color), and an English dictionary (or the online equivalent) to use at home.

Course Description:  In this class, you will be reviewing what you already know about English Language Arts, using and building upon this prior knowledge to read novels, short stories, drama, fiction/non-fiction, and poetry, and improving your language and communication skills through the writing of paragraphs, essays, reports, speeches, and creative pieces.  You will be expected do some speaking and listening in class, as well. 

Expectations:  Each and every student will have the opportunity to succeed in this class.  Your success will depend upon your participation and mastery.  We want all of our students to do well in ELA.  You are always expected to do your best.  Please feel free to ask questions and ask for extra help, if needed. We are available for extra help after school each day.  In order to receive help after school, students must sign up and get a pass from us during class. 

Courtesy, cooperation, honesty, preparedness, and respect are five very important characteristics for your success and the success of your classmates in ELA class.  It is always our goal to be courteous, cooperative, honest, prepared, and respectful when it comes to our students and co-workers and we expect the same behavior from you.  If, for some reason, you choose not to demonstrate these behaviors, there will be disciplinary consequences for your actions.       

We expect that during every class period we will achieve at least one of our goals.  In order to achieve these goals, your participation is essential.  Participation does not only include raising your hand to answer questions in class.  Participation also includes bringing all necessary materials, for example pen, paper, and any assignments that are due, getting to class on time, and being in your seat, ready to work when class begins.

Grading Policy:  As you know, there are four ten-week marking periods in the middle school.  Your grade in ELA for each marking period will be based upon

1.      Homework 40%

2.      Classwork 30%

3.      Tests and Quizzes 20%

4.      Long-Term Assignments (projects) 10%

Please take advantage of the Homework Hotline and use your assignment book to record assignments and due dates.  In addition, all long-term assignments will be posted on Mrs. Jordon’s web page and can be viewed there at any time.  

Remember!  Each student is responsible for completing and submitting his or her own assignments on time!  In the case of absences, students will have one week from the day they return from their absence to make up and submit any work that they have missed.  All other late work (not due to an absence) will be accepted for 10% off the next day.  After that, late work is worth half credit until the day I close my grade book for that marking period.    

It is my pleasure to have each of you in my class.  I look forward to the coming school year with great excitement and enthusiasm and hope that you do as well.  I expect that this will be a very productive, educational, challenging, successful, and enjoyable year for everyone.  WELCOME TO ELA CLASS!