Course Outline
          
                Johnston
      
       Senior 
       English 

A dream gives us hope for the future, and it also brings us power in the present. It makes it possible for us to prioritize everything we do. A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up. [So] the first element in winning the internal battle against failure is a positive outlook.  John C. Maxwell

I.	Textbooks

Literary 		Prentice Hall Literature/Alabama Common Core Edition (Grade 12)
Drama /Novels 	The Metamorphosis, Wuthering Heights,  Macbeth, The Mayor of Casterbridge, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Twelfth Night.
	
You will be taught from the following materials based on the indicated criteria as deemed by the State of Alabama’s College Career and Readiness Standards for English Language Arts.

II.	Notebooks – You are required to keep a composition notebook for daily warmups.

  You are required to keep a notebook for the entire 18
weeks. During this time, all work will be stored in your    notebook by sections.  Your notebook will be graded periodically without notice for a test grade.  Please keep it neat and in order at all times. 

  Your notebook will contain the following three  sections:

Grammar 	This section will house homework and 
worksheets as generated from your grammar textbook.

			  Literature 	      	This section will house any activities and
      	materials  related to your literature 
books and novels.

			Writing / Research	This section will house any of your 
research material or any of the various 
writing assignments that you complete.

III.	Grading Scales    
         	English 12 & Honors                                  
Research/ Major Tests	60%   
Quizzes/Classwork  	30%    
Participation			10%   

IV.	Make-up Work
Note* It is not Mrs. Johnston’s responsibility to remind you of missed assignments; therefore, make-up work is your sole responsibility.

Should you be absent, there is a corner entitled “While You Were Out.” This is where you go to find the assignments for the specific day that you missed. You have ONE day to check the folder  (the day you return) and THREE days to make-up your work from the time of your absence.

		Procedure for Make-up Work

1.	Get the make-up folder from the make-up folder corner.
2.	Sign in to verify that you received the folder
3.	Copy down the assignments
4.	See Mrs. Johnston during down-time for any handouts 
5.	Place the make-up folder back for other absentees

Procedure for Make-up Tests

1.	All make-up tests will be taken after school ONLY on 
	the day you return! (No planning periods, break, or during classes!)  
 
 	Note* 	Failure to show for make-up tests results in an automatic zero. 

			
V.	Break Detention 
Break detention is given for the following offenses: talking during assignments, horseplay in the classroom setting, infraction of the classroom rules, and certain circumstances as deemed inappropriate by the teacher according to the Class I Sanctions of your handbook.

		1st Break Detention  - 	Sign your written warning
Appear at the BEGINNING of break 
Parental contact maybe made at this 
time

		2nd Offense 			Referral to the office

To not show up for detention is an automatic Office Referral.

*Helpful Information*
1.	My expectation is to be addressed at all times as Mrs. Johnston. Respectfully, I wish to be answered with the response of “Yes ’mam” and “No ’mam.” 
2.	My desk is my personal space.  Please do not place or remove anything from my desk without permission.
3.	At no point or time will I give you paper or a writing instrument.  Please be responsible enough to come to class fully prepared, including test days. This means your laptop is FULLY charged, and you are ready to work.  (2 free charges per semester…additional charging = 4 days break detention per offense.) Note: Entertainment sites drain your battery.
4.	Although there are times when material is more interesting than other times, I expect everyone to be attentively involved in our class discussion and activities.  It makes class more interesting for you, your peers, and me when we are all active learners.
5.	Please do not talk out in class.  Always raise your hand and wait for acknowledgement. It will be impossible for me to focus on your comments and 28 of your peers at one time. Your insights and input are important to me!
6.	Talking during any test results in an automatic zero. A test officially begins once I call for your attention to begin the test. It does not officially end until I receive the last test paper.
7.	Sleeping in class is not permitted.  I do understand that illness or medication can produce extenuating circumstances; however, these matters will be addressed as they arise.  Those who choose to violate the "no sleeping" policy will be given one oral and written warning, possible parent notification, and eventually, a referral to the office.
8.	You are not to write on the desks, walls, posters, etc. This is destruction of school property.  If you are observed writing on the desk(s), you will use your break to clean each desk in this room.
9.	You may use black or blue ink and/or pencils only. (No red, purple, yellow, orange or other colored ink than specified.)
10.	When visitors enter this room, I expect you to continue working or remain quiet until they leave. At no time are you to blurt out or act inappropriately when guests are in the room.
11.	All food and drink items that are visible or heard rattling will be deposited in the trashcan. Continual violations will be referred to the office. Only water is allowed.
12.	Please do not groom during class with hair brushes, combs, perfumes, nail color, etc.
13.	Please do not place handbags or book bags on the tops of your desks at any point or time during class.
14.	Restroom privileges are non-negotiable.  If you do not have your pass, you will NOT negotiate for restroom privilege.  Simply, do not ask.
15.	Once you enter this room, you must be seated. 
16.	Profanity of any kind is not permitted. You will be referred to the office.
17.	Cell phone usage of any kind is strictly prohibited.  Any use of a cell phone 
	in this class will result in confiscation of device and referral to the office.
18.	No “earbuds” allowed (unless “specifically” designated for an assignment). Any visible earbuds or use in this class will result in confiscation and return at “the end” of the day and then week. (This includes entering class with them visible.)
19.	I EXPECT you to be an “engaged” performer at all times; therefore, unauthorized use of your laptop during class or off-task surfing on entertainment sites (Youtube, games, Twitter, etc.) will result in the following action steps:
1.	1st offense = 1 week no “personal” computer use in this class + 4 days break detention
2.	2nd offense = referral to the office

My door is always open for any concerns you may have regarding this class. I
encourage you to share your concerns with me as often as you wish. I cannot modify what I have no knowledge of; therefore, communication is necessary for our relationship as teacher and student. I believe in empowering you to become all that you can be!  Be prepared to learn.  You may not like every story, lesson, or activity, but you may still learn regardless of your likes or dislikes. Respect is a two way street; you and I will earn each other’s respect.  You have to give respect in order to get it.
I truly hope that this will be a fun and rewarding learning experience for each and every
one of us. I look forward to doing great things this semester!
					H. Johnston