Welcome to ELA!!!

My name is Mr. Rowe and I look forward to working with you all this year!

browe@washoeschools.net

Google Voice: (775) 996-3816

Welcome back to a new and exciting ELA class! I cannot wait to get this year rolling and see the growth you all will make. Throughout this year, students will be given a lot of freedom and responsibility to make choices throughout their education. I believe it helps to gain excitement as we work through some complex ideas.

Throughout this semester, students will be expected to:

1. Develop an understanding of critical terms and concepts which you will use to better explore literary themes and devices.
2. Cultivate research; develop writing and presentation skills in order to better interpret texts and formulate arguments about the topics.
3. Consider how the issues we study in class connect with the world beyond the classroom.
4. Participate in classroom discussions to formulate and defend sound arguments.

• Materials
  • In your backpack, I expect the following:
  • A folder labeled ELA and a college-rule spiral notebook
  • Any assignments, tests, notes, etc… from the CURRENT nine-week quarter
  • Pens, scissors, glue stick, highlighters
  • Agenda book and a reading book

All students will be expected to bring a book to class every day. As a class, we will be learning how to check out books through Destiny, the school’s online library system. Students will be given guidelines on the types of books to check out. This will give the students an opportunity to find a book that they are interested in for their choice reading time. Students can also bring a book from home if they prefer.

• Agenda Book: During Advisory, students will copy that week’s schedule, including all the work they will do throughout the week in class and at home for their core subjects. If you do not see this, students are not correctly filling out their agenda book.

• Spiral Notebook Work: At the beginning of most classes, students will have a designated spot in a spiral notebook to complete a bellringer activity. These bellringers will consist of writing practice; grammar work; vocabulary; analyzing film clips, speeches, and texts; and much more. If students complete their spiral work, their chances for success in ELA are greatly increased. Spiral Notebooks are not optional; they count as a classwork grade.

• Assignments/ grading scale: The following is a summary of the assignments that you can expect in ELA…

1. Homework: although students will not be given homework on a nightly basis, the majority of the time students will have the opportunity to redo work, study the concepts we are working on, and complete work that they didn't have time to finish in class.
2. In-class assignments: Throughout the year, various activities will be completed within a given class period. Any unfinished work can potentially become homework.
3. Test / projects / essays: At the conclusion of every unit, students will have a test, project, or essay to demonstrate their grasp of a given concept. Students are allowed to redo any test lower than 60%. Students must make an appointment at lunch to make up the test.
4. Grading Scale: Classwork = 70%, Assessments = 30%

I have a zero tolerance policy for cheating and plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as submitting another person’s work or ideas or writing as your own. Notice it is not just someone’s writing. Plagiarism does include taking credit for other’s ideas, too. Both cheating and plagiarism will result in a zero on any assigned work, exam, or projects. Make sure you’re always turning in your OWN WORK and no one else’s! If you wish to use another individual’s work in conjunction with your own, ensure you properly cite and reference that author and their work. I do not expect you to know how to use MLA (Modern Language Association) format, but I do expect you to cite where you got your information from.

• Late Work: It is important that students complete all assignments and turn them in on time. Any late work will be deducted 30% of the total points possible. Please be prepared for possible delays in grades being put in IC and papers returned.

• Cell Phone: If I catch you doing non-school work on your phone, you will get one warning. If I catch you a second time, your phone will be kept in my classroom until the end of the school day. Unless it is being used for a class assignment, please put your phone away and not have it on your desk.

• Infinite Campus: This website allows students and parents to track attendance, grades, view assignments and due dates, and other data. I encourage both students and parents to check it at least weekly.

• Classroom Movies: I show a variety of movies and clips from movies in my classroom. I combine these movies with books that we are reading or concepts that we are learning. Some of the movies are rated PG-13, for example: The Hunger Games. Please sign the Movie Permission slip if your student has permission to watch PG-13 rated movies. Before I show any full-length PG-13 movie, I will send a note home with the title and rating of the movie. When you receive this message, and you don’t want your student to watch that specific movie, please email me to opt out. I will have an alternative assignment for your student.

• Expectations: You are expected to come to class prepared to start work at the bell. I expect you to follow all classroom routines and safety procedures without being prompted. I also ask that you try everything. I don’t expect you to be perfect—nobody is perfect—but I do expect you to put forth your best effort as you expect the same in me with helping you succeed.

If at this point you feel overwhelmed, nervous, or even scared… please don’t! I have never met a student who wanted to succeed in my class that wasn’t able to with some effort on their part. Success comes in many forms. I am here to help you, and I love what I do. This will be an exciting and fun year with lots of opportunities to showcase your skills and talents. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at any time!