Welcome to 10 th grade English

1. Welcome to 10th grade English “The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.” – Albert Einstein

2. Emails and Office Hours alevine@laalliance.org or allisonteaches@gmail.com I will respond within 24 hours. I promise. Office Hours are Tuesday after school.

3. Syllabus • The syllabus for my class is on my VAULT on the school website • http://www.heritagecollegeready.org • Teachers/Staff • Ms Allison Levine • 10 ELA or 10 HONORS • ALL HOMEWORK, LINKS, REFERENCES AND HELPFUL HINTS ARE LOCATED ON THE VAULT • READ IT. LEARN IT. LOVE IT.

4. Mastery of Skills and Events • CAHSEE exam (5 strands of Writing) • Citing textual evidence • Vocabulary comprehension (connotative and denotative meanings) • Vocabulary evolution (Greek and Latin roots) • Literary figurative language analysis • Research techniques and MLA citations • Oral presentations (narrative, expository, responses/analysis, persuasive arguments/debates and descriptive presentations) • Theatrical presentations • Rhetoric (ethos, logos and pathos)

5. Reading & Writing Activities • Comparison and contrast essays • Personal narrative • Original short stories • Literary criticism • Expository compositions • Persuasive compositions and debate • Business/personal letters • Technical/workplace documents • Manuscripts, movie scripts, one-act plays • Character analysis

6. Projects Power Point/PreziPresentations on the First Parent’s night in September Literature Circles, memorized and recited Ancient Greek Poetry, The World Myth Project The Persuasive Essay and Debate Rhetoric, political campaign analysis, theatrical presentations, Poetry analysis, song lyric analysis, reflective essay, literary criticism, and film making Archetypes, plot structure, film analysis, murals and original one-act plays

7. Theme for the Year – Heroism No, not heroin Essential Questions and Big Ideas: • There are several different types of heroes and we will explore each one. • What is the difference between a classic hero, an anti-hero and a reluctant hero? • What is “The Hero’s Journey” and “The Dichotomy of Man”? • What is “mythology” and how does it differ from culture to culture? • What is “Absolute Individualism”? • What is the meaning of life? (according to society and according to you)

8. HONORS You will have the same books (with the addition of “Fahrenheit 451”) You will have supplemental reading and extra projects to create a more rigorous classroom environment – such as Science Fiction analysis and evaluation, Short story writing, Creation of the Future project If you miss more than 3 assignments during the semester, you will be dropped from the class.

9. Classroom Rules & Expectations What is the difference between Rules and Expectations? Rules: Laws, Regulations, Decrees, Imperatives Expectations: Hopes, Prospect, Anticipations

10. NO GUM (seriously, if I ruin one more pair of pants because of gum…) NO FOOD (I don’t like bugs) and WATER ONLY. TAKE YOUR BACKPACKS OFF WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE CLASSROOM. IF YOU SWEAR OR SAY "SHUT UP" IT WILL COST YOU 5 CENTS (25 CENTS FOR THE REALLY BIG WORDS) AND NO, YOU CAN'T GIVE ME A DOLLAR AND THINK YOU HAVE CREDIT. I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE WORK OWN YOUR MISTAKES, NO EXCUSES SHOW UP ON TIME AND READY TO WORK – A DO NOW ON THE BOARD MEANS “DO IT NOW PARTICIPATION COUNTS IN MY CLASSROOM (BUT NOT THE DISRUPTIVE KIND) BE SELFISH WITH YOUR EDUCATION - YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR EDUCATIONAL DESTINY

11. Don’t press me on these… Don’t be disruptive and annoy me or others When I raise my hand and count to five (silently) I EXPECT YOU TO QUIET DOWN. If you don’t, you will be assigned SAT vocabulary homework. Every 5 count = 5 words. If you don’t turn in homework, you will write a “slacker” essay during class and receive a zero for the day. Don’t “WHAT IF?” me to death. Teleparent, phone calls home and you will translate if needed.

12. No Homework = No Grade I’m stating the obvious here The difference between a zero and a one makes an incredible difference You will fail my class if you do not do your homework Homework is preparation for class READING! CAHSEE Prep

13. CONSEQUENCES Musical students Sent to another classroom Detention Referral to the office Teleparent Phone call home Parent-Teacher conference I will drop you from the class if you make it impossible for others to learn.

14. TUTORING If you are failing my class but are doing your homework, you will be “invited” to after school tutoring If you want to be in my after school tutoring, I will think you are awesome and probably give you a cookie. If you want my help, just ask. I actually want you to do well in my class. Please care about your education because I do.

15. A few more things… Write in PENCIL, BLUE OR BLACK INK ONLY Bring highlighters, pencil sharpeners, staplers, rulers, markers, lined paper – ALL THINGS YOU WILL NEED!! Composition books will be stored in class (please have them by Thursday/Friday) All extensions must be requested at least one week prior to assignment date and are subject to approval. The request must have a note from your parent or guardian. ACADEMIC HONESTY

16. Just Behave and Do the Work • This class is only as fun as you make it. • Trust me, you don’t want to piss me off. • Project Based Learning (PBL) • Art projects • Plays • Films • Creative and enjoyable ways to learn • IF YOU ARE DISRUPTIVE AND DON’T PARTICIPATE, YOU WILL HAVE INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR THE REST OF THE UNIT. WHICH IS NO FUN.

17. SERIOUSLY… I love being an English teacher (I’m a total nerd) and look forward to sharing my love of literature with you. I am here for questions, comments, concerns and cupcakes. I’m a strict, but fair teacher. Remember that.

18. Other Stuff to Discuss Units Class Jobs Following directions Diagnostic testing this week Who are you??