Ms. Kurtz   English 10 
Requirements and Policies 2008-9
OR:  How to Succeed in English Class

Required Materials

Come to class prepared.  Bring your course binder*, a working dark blue or black ink pen (not pencil), and your book** every day.

*Course Binder:  A three ring binder filled with looseleaf paper and divided into sections:

1. Calendars, assignments, and policies (print this out!)
2. Do Nows
3. Response papers
4. Literature Notes & Handouts
5. Vocab, Grammar, Language

**Books:  You will be issued a literature textbook to keep at home and there is a class set to use during class.  Other novels will be issued that you will need to bring back and forth.

Assignments

Most assignments are required to be typed in standard typing format. All written work must be legible, in dark blue or black ink, or typed. Note that no written work will be accepted in pencil. All assignments must have the appropriate heading (see bottom of page), otherwise you might not get credit.

What if you do not have access to a computer or printer? There are computers in the library for your use during and after school.  Always use the standard typing format  unless you pre-approve a change with me.  Save all typed writings on USB drive, computer disk or and/on your school account.  You will need these writings for revision.  (You can email documents to yourself, too).

              
Class Policies

Edline is required in this class. You will need to access information on our class Edline page. Make sure you activate your account, write down your password somewhere safe, and create a question and answer in case you forget your password. Please give your parents their activation code as well.

Homework  is due at the beginning of the next class period.  Late homework will be penalized starting at half credit, unless you were legally absent and could not do the work. I do expect you to check Edline and to try to turn in assignements on time when you are absent.

Major Papers and Projects due dates apply even if you are not in class on the day they are due or the class day before.  If you have an extenuating circumstance see me before the due date or have a parent or guardian call me in the English department during school hours:  587-6690 x3319. 

Do not leave work on my desk or in my mailbox.  Hand assignments directly to me during your class period or when I’m in the English office.   

Make-up/Extra Help:  I am usually available 2:30-3:10 Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.  Make an appointment to be sure that I’m there.

Computer Problems

 
Save and print out drafts frequently, and never wait until the night before to start a major project or writing assignment.  If you cannot print the document at home, you can print it out at school before class.  There are a number of ways to do this before the class on which it is due: 

• Plan ahead: type it at school (save it to your H drive) and print it out
• You could email yourself the text as part of the body of the message or as a Microsoft Word document attachment
• Save a copy to a USB drive (floppy disks are not as reliable with our school system) and print it out at school 
• If you do not have Microsoft Word at home, you’ll need to do a “Save As” and save the file as a “RTF” file in order to open it at school. 
• If the format is incorrect as a result of the computer problem, you may turn in what you have and speak to me at that time for a due date for the correctly formatted document. 
• If all else fails, email me the document to prove that it is finished: r_kurtz@saratogaschools.org and then bring a hard copy.
• Worst case scenario: If you've tried all the above and still cannot get a printed copy of your work, you can take a late penalty.

For extenuating circumstances either see me before the due date or bring me a hard copy of what you have, (worst case, a handwritten version) NOT a computer disk, and we can discuss an extension.  

Note that the school is upgrading to a later version of Microsoft Word: Word 2007. See me with compatiblity questions.

Absences:

•  You are responsible for all classwork, homework and course content when you are absent.  To find a calendar, explanations of how to make up classwork and homework, and links to relevant content are you are required to check Edline. You should be able to keep up with much of the work, even if you are absent.  If you do not have internet access at home, plan to stay after school to use the library computers. (Or I would be happy to sign a pass for the library if you have a study hall, or during your lunch).

• For additional handouts and explanations, you must ask for the work and/or make arrangements to stay with me after school to make up the work.

• For excused absences, up to two class days in a row, you will have one week from the due date to make up the classwork, homework, quizzes or tests.  

• No make-ups if you were truant or cutting class.

• 4+ days out of school, call to request homework from Dr. Greco's office. 

• For long, frequent, or planned absences, you must see me for special arrangements (at least several school days before the absence if it is planned)

Grades:

Each Quarter Grade:

• Major projects may count 4 times or more.  Each part of the project may count 1 or more times.  Handouts will specify how all major projects will be graded
• Writing Portfolio Pieces and Tests count 2 to 4 times.
• Do Nows and other classwork usually count once. Homework, including response papers usually count twice.

Final Grades = Average of (1st Quarter, 2nd Quarter ,3rd Quarter, 4th Quarter, Final Exam)

The Final Exam is two tasks of a practice Regents Exam and is the same for all 10th graders.

 
Required Heading: