Instructor: Mr. Jeremy VanDerKern

JVanDerKern@sau29.org

(603) 352-0640 ext. 7080

www.oocities.org/vanderkernj

http://vdkeng10.edublogs.org

Course: English 10 Repeaters, English 10 Foundations, English 10, & English 10 Honors

Time:

Block 1: Mass Media Rm. 15

Block 2: Planning English Office

Block 3: English 10 Repeaters. Rm. 17

Block 4: English 10 Comp. Rm. 17

• Students will need to bring the following to class each day: Grammar Made Manageable: English 10, the current novel (covered), a three-inch three-ring binder with dividers and college rule paper, completed homework, and a writing utensil (pencil and black pen).

• I prefer all work to be typed or written double-spaced in black pen.

• The front office or the English Department provides supplies upon request to any student in financial need.

Instruction:

• I will keep my lectures short and to the point.

• I will strive to keep you interested by using the Internet, the library, television, radio, CDs, magazines, newspapers, field trip opportunities, guest speakers, and relevant movies.

• I will teach you skills that will help you in the "real world."

• I will respect you, and I expect the same courtesy.

Grading:

• Short Stories section R, F, C, H
• G.U.M. section (Grammar, Usage, Mechanics) R, F, C, H
• A Separate Peace section R, C, H
• Animal Farm section R, F, C, H
• 1984 section H
• To Kill a Mockingbird section R, F, C, H
• Midsummer Night’s Dream section R, C, H
• Research Paper R, F, C, H
• Non-fiction section R, H
• Poetry section H
• Lord of the Flies section R, H
• Breathing Underwater section R, F
• Pigman section R, F
• Hanging onto Max section R, F
• The Girl Who Owned a City section R, F
• Vocabulary workbook R, F

 Classroom Rules:

1. RESPECT: yourself, each other, me, supplies, KHS, etc.
2. Be on time (third tardy =administrative detention)
3. Maintain dress code (hats are fine, hood are not)
4. No Food or Beverages (exception: water bottles, class events)
5. Hand in work on time (or make other arrangements before work is due)
6. Maintain Low Tones (Especially with music)
7. Keep room clean
8. No ipods or CD players are allowed during class--except during tests.

Academic Honesty: Cheating, plagiarism, violation of test conditions, complicity in dishonest behavior, or other falsification of academic work will result in a failing grade for the assignment. All resources that are used need to be adequately cited and documented in MLA format. Depending on the severity of the infraction, other actions may be taken. To simplify, if you borrow words or ideas from anyone or anything, give credit where credit is due.

Makeup Policy: See KHS Handbook. For excused absences, students have one day for every day missed to make up work. If a student comes to school late or leaves early, I expect student to pick up and drop off any work for the day. For projects, papers, and any other assignment given in advance: students are expected to hand in work on the day it is due regardless of absences. Work may be dropped off, submitted via e-mail, or mailed to K.H.S. If a student is absent on a test day, the test will be made up after school the next day. I do not accept other late work unless arrangements have been made in advance. Students who are in-school-suspended are expected to request/ complete that will be missed. This work is due the next day. Students who are out-of-school-suspended may not make up any missed work.

Submitting Work: All work must be legible. All work must be ontime. All work must have a proper heading: First & last name, block, date, and assignment title in the top right-hand corner. It is the student's responsibility to make sure work is handed in on time. Work submitted via e-mail or brought in on an electronic storage device (like a disk, CD, or jump drive) does not guarantee that work will be received on time or that the teacher will be able to open it or print it. For helpful hints, please refer to handout entitled Saving and Sending by Kelly Budd, KHS Librarian.

Web site: I offer a unique tool. Nearly all of my course materials can be found online through the school web site or by going to www.oocities.org/vanderkernj. There is a chronological list of all projects, notes, study guides, a monthly calendar, and even some quizzes for each unit of study. Every student has access to this tool. At the start of each year, students and parents are required to fill out an "Acceptable Use Policy" for computers and the Internet. This privilege can be revoked. Beware.

Packets: At the start of each major novel, I pass out a complete packet of all related work and a tentative calendar. This packet contains study guide questions, project guidelines, vocabulary terms, extra credit, journal prompts, discussion questions, sample quizzes, etc. This packet helps ensure that students and parents always know what we are doing in class, what is expected, and when it is expected.

Online Grades: Web Address: http://ps.sau29.org/public
You are able to check grades and attendance by pointing your Internet browser to http://ps.sau29.org/public and by entering your user name and password. If you do not have a name or password, or if you have questions regarding the operation of site, please direct them to Blue House. Parents who do not have computer and/or Internet access are invited to use our Mac Lab (Room 318) on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 - 6:00 PM.

As you view the site, it is important to remember that the system is provided as a convenience. Grades and other information are not always 100% up-to-date and are not official records. Specific questions about attendance should be directed to the respective house office, and questions regarding student's assignments and grades should be directed to the respective teacher.

I will make every effort in insure that assignments and grades are accurate and updated weekly. However, grades will fluctuate as I add/ drop low scores, adjust weighting, extend due dates, enter partial and extra credit, and make sure grades are an accurate reflection of student achievement. I print hard copies every other week for students and parents to check, make corrections to, sign, and return. I will not respond to unsolicited e-mails or phone calls inquiring about missing work, due dates, weighting, or assignment expectations. Students and parents should refer to the packet, calendar, and/or website for additional information regarding assignment expectations. No grade is final until progress reports and/or report cards are sent home. All missing work, corrections, and comments should be attached to the printed hard copy of grades for consideration.

Inclusion: The Keene School District does not discriminate in its educational programs, activities or employment practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, handicap, sexual orientation or marital status. If any student has a documented disability or a special circumstance, please consult privately with the teacher. Special services will be arranged and accommodations made to better suit the learner. Any student may request more time for any assignment if request is made prior to when the assignment is due. Tutoring, Supplemental Help, The Learning Center, and The Resource Room are also available. Extra Credit will be made available. I am available each day after school from 2:00 to 3:00. 

This course is based upon New Hampshire’s K-12 Language Arts Curriculum Framework which can be viewed at:

http://www.ed.state.nh.us/CurriculumFrameworks/k-122.htm