Course Description: Language Arts 10 combines reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. You will be reading novels, short stories, newspapers, magazines, and poetry. You will be writing in many genres and you will learn how to think critically.

Overview: The main objectives of this course are to enhance your reading, writing, comprehension and critical thinking skills. Secondary objectives are to enhance your speaking and listening skills.

Daily Routine: Each day when you come into class, you will be expected to be prepared with your own supplies – paper, writing utensils… You will have an assignment to complete in the first 10 – 15 minutes of the beginning of each class. If you do not complete this work in the allotted time, you must take it home, complete it, and turn it in before class begins the next day unless directed otherwise. On Mondays you must bring in reading material of your choice for 30 minutes of silent reading. Each Tuesday you will write a brainstorm and rough draft of your “paragraph of the week.” (If you are absent or do not complete the rough draft, this becomes your homework.) On Wednesdays you will exchange paragraphs with a partner and peer edit for each other. (If you are not here to have someone peer edit for you, have an adult at home complete the peer edit for you.) On Thursdays you will be given vocabulary words to look up and use correctly in sentences, and on Fridays you will either have vocabulary quizzes, journal entries, grammar quizzes or word puzzles. The work you complete at the beginning of each class will add up to 25% of your grade – it is not something you want to “forget” to do.

Grading Procedures: You will pass this class! This is a fail-proof class, with two exceptions: being absent and not doing the work. Make sure that you are in class and paying attention, and hand in all assignments on time and you are guaranteed to pass.

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I will not accept any late assignments. If you miss the deadline, you receive a zero.

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The grading scale that is outlined in the student handbook applies.

All incompletes will be handled individually or with parent/guardian conference. You may receive you grade any time during the marking period by making a request. Final drafts will be graded within one week of being turned in.

You will be graded on:

Papers, Quizzes, Tests 50%

*Final drafts of all papers will be handed in typed, double-spaced, with 12 point Times Roman or Times New Roman fonts and 1 inch margins. All drafts, including the rough draft, revisions, peer edits, and self- evaluations must be attached.  

Journals, Bellwork, Paragraph Writing, In-Class Writings 25%

You must have a bound notebook for your journal. You will have topics or prompts to respond to most days at the beginning of class. You will have ten minutes to write and must have a minimum of five sentences in order to receive credit for your entry.

Group projects and presentations 10%

Individual Projects and presentations10%

Class Participation 5%

Class Participation is based on staying on task, participating in group discussions, your classroom behavior, and your attitude.

Make up work: Remember that all make-up work is the student’s responsibility. The student handbook rules apply. Make sure you find out what you missed - without interrupting class or delaying its beginning.

Passes: You will be allowed two passes per nine-week marking period. They may be used for the bathroom or your locker. I do not give passes to the library, office, counselor.... Plan your time accordingly!

Classroom Rules:

1. RESPECT yourselves, each other, and me as well as all guests in our classroom.

2. Come to class with a good ATTITUDE!

3. Come to class prepared to write everyday and do it.