Room 860 – Tutorials M, T, TH, F 7-7:20 a.m., Wed., 8-9 a.m. After school every day (except Fridays) from 2:25-3:00 p.m. Email me at kharrison@dpisd.com
Welcome! I’m glad to have you in my class. This year we will have the opportunity to learn about the American culture as reflected in its literature. I look forward to working with you to improve your reading and writing skills, and to deepen your appreciation of our literature.
Goals
Our primary goals will be to help you to develop the writing and reading skills needed to pass the ELA TAKS Exit Exam, the SAT and ACT college entrance exams, and to prepare for the more rigorous reading and writing requirements needed for college and career success. We will spend time researching continuing education and training options, as well as learn how to prepare resumes and job applications, and how to meet strict college entrance requirements. We will study a wide range of works by esteemed authors and evaluate:
As you enter the class, check the long table next to the entrance to the room for any handouts, take your seat and consult the left side of the chalkboard for your list of instructions for the day’s activities. Please be ready to begin when the bell rings. Because this is a class in which we read and write every day, it is disruptive to when students are leaving during class. For that reason, bathroom stops and other errands should be taken care of before coming to class. All assignments should include the following: Your Name, Class Period, and Today’s Date.
It is your responsibility to pick up all missed assignments. Daily assignments and handouts are found in the Make-up Work Notebook. You must make arrangements with a classmate to copy class notes. You have two days for each day you were absent to turn in missed work.
Make-up exams will be given during tutorials, M, T, TH, F, 7 – 7:20 a.m., Wed., 8-9 a.m. and after school every day from 2:25-3:00 p.m. While make-up exams will evaluate the same material and skills covered on regularly scheduled exams, their format will be different for obvious reasons.
You will have one week from the day you return to take the make-up exam. It is your responsibility to keep track of your own absences and make-up work. If you are absent only one day before an exam, you will still take the exam on the designated day with the class. If you fail to make up an exam, you will receive a “0.”
1 day late = 70 (highest possible grade)
2 days late = 50 (highest possible grade)
More than 2 days late receives a “0”
Supplies
Your notebook will be your textbook for this class. For this reason, you must bring your notebook to class EVERY DAY or you will not be able to complete many of the assignments.
90-100 = A
80-89 = B
75-79 = C
70-74 = D
Below 69 = F
*Grades are determined by quizzes, tests and major papers, daily performance (participation, timed writing, reading), projects and semester exams.
Vocabulary Tests
A list will be given each week. You will have quizzes almost every week.
You will be expected to read one assigned novel outside of class every six weeks. You will be tested on this reading. You are encouraged to purchase copies of all novels for this class. If you purchase your own books you can take notes in them and highlight important passages. This will aid you in the literature aspect of this course. If you are not able to purchase your own copies, I will provide copies for you to use. However, you will not be able to write in these books.
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
During the year, we will select several of the following videos to enhance our study of American Literature: The Crucible, The Scarlet Letter, The Last of the Mohicans, The Civil War (PBS documentary by Ken Burns), Gone With The Wind, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Piano Lesson,, How to Make an American Quilt, and The Dead Poet’s Society.
Parents and student may contact me at any time via email, kharrison@dpisd.com, or leave a message at 832-667-2860. I will return your call as soon as possible.