Mission Statement

Students engage in challenging tasks in which they draw upon personal strengths and diverse experiences, create meaningful
connections, and develop innovative problem-solving skills. With the confidence and character gained from these experiences,
students pursue their individual passions and participate responsibly and effectively in their communities.

Course Name: Freshman English

Teacher name: Mr. Kevin Farrell

Contact information: Office Email: [email protected]

Office Phone Number: 874-986-3300 ext. 5519
Office Location: English Office (Rm. 2200)

Office Hours: 2nd Period; 5th Period; ARC 6th Period; After School (3:00 – 3:45)

Materials Needed:
3-ring binder (1 inch) with pockets, dividers and loose leaf paper
Required readings – all available for purchase through the GCHS Bookstore
GCHS Student Handbook/Passport – provided to all students at no cost
Pens/Pencils/Highlighters (2 colors)

Textbooks:
Novels:
Anthem by Ayn Rand OR Gathering Blue by Lois Lowery (Summer Reading texts)
This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff
The Alchemist by Paula Coelho
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Drama:
Oedipus by Sophocles
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Other:
Teacher selected short stories, poems, criticisms, non-fiction, etc.
Course Description:
This two-semester, one-credit course is designed to give students an overall
view of composition and speech skills and an introduction to literary genres.
As such, it establishes a foundation in writing styles, literary elements, and
verbal skills. This course concentrates on developing strong writing skills.

Writing:

The focus of the freshmen year is developing analytical skills, with a

focus on the traditional 5-paragraph essay format. We also introduce
elements of narrative, descriptive, persuasive and expository
writing

Grammar:

We will work on sentence completeness and structure, punctuation,

parts of speech and other grammatical issues as part of our daily
lessons.

Vocabulary:

We will examine new vocabulary found in the literature we read

throughout the school year. Students will also be responsible for
learning 5 new words a week; these words will be presented and
defined in class.

Speech:

This class will focus on developing skills for effective participation in

small and large group discussions as well as developing skills needed
for public speaking.

Critical Thinking:

Students will examine their organizational skills, their methods of

learning, and the effects of propaganda on themselves, literary
characters, and society.

Research:

Students will be using research (books, Internet, interviews, etc.) for various
assignments throughout their freshman year, with an emphasis on evaluating
resource materials and learning skills needed for effectively organizing the
researched material.
Grading Practices:
 Weights: Scale: Course Expectations
Attitudes & Behavior
Participation – 5%
Homework
I hope –that
20%together we98 – Ato create an
are able B environment
78 – C in 68 our– D
88-89
Tests/Quizzes – 20% 100 + + 79 + 69
classroom that allows for everyone to grow, learn, and be successful +
Essays/Projects – 35%of the year. 83 – 73 – 63 – 0 -
over the course 93 – 97In order
A B C we must work
D F
87for that to77
happen, 67 59
Finaltogether
Exam – 20%
to establish a respectful, caring
80 –atmosphere
70 – where 60everyone
–
90 – 92 A- B- C- D-
feels safe to express their thoughts 82
and feelings.72 We will develop
62 a
sense of community inside our classroom where everyone is valued
and respected. Crude language, derogatory comments, and
harassment of any kind damage this atmosphere and cause everyone
to suffer – disrespectful comments and actions will result in disciplinary
action including loss of participation credit for the day, detentions, as
well as possible referrals to the discipline office. Also, it is imperative
that you come to class each day with an open mind and a positive
attitude. Without respect, open-mindedness, and a positive attitude,
you will not experience success in my classroom.

Class Discussion & Participation:

English class is dependent on strong discussion and participation.
Rarely will there be a class where I do most of the talking; instead
many days will be an open dialogue where you can share your
thoughts, feelings, and opinions about course materials. It is expected
that you will come to class ready and willing to participate in that day’s
activities.

Independent, Small Group & Whole Class work:

We will be working in a variety of environments in the class. You will
certainly be doing individual work on your own, though we will also
work in small and large group environments. Sometimes you will be
able to choose your own groups, other times groups will be pre-
determined. Be flexible, open-minded, and contribute to your group no
matter whom you are paired with.

Classroom Policies and Procedures

Tardy Policy
I will follow the tardy policy as it is explained on page 40 of your GCHS
Student Handbook. When the bell rings, you are expected to be in
your seat prepared for class to start. As stated in your student
 handbook, the following consequences will be enforced if you are late
to class:
• Tardy #1: A freebie! You will be notified and the tardy will be
recorded in the grade book.
• Tardy #2 - 3: You will receive a tardy slip, your dean will be
notified, and I will contact your parents.
• Tardy #4 - 5: You will receive a tardy slip, your dean will be
notified, and he/she will contact your parents.
• Tardy #6 - 7: You will be sent to your dean immediately who will
handle the consequences.
If there is a personal situation that keeps you from getting to class on
time, please talk to me privately and we will work something out. If
you do need extra time occasionally, come check in with me in class
and I may write you a pass if necessary.

Absences, Truancy and Late Work

Absence and Truancy policies, as stated on pages 37 - 40 of your
student handbook, will be enforced. You are expected to be in class
every day ready to be an active member of the class. If you must miss
school for any reason, you are still responsible for all material
discussed in class, as well as any assignments turned in or given out.
Upon returning to school you must turn in any late work. You will be
given one day for each missed day to make up assignments you were
not there to receive. If you are absent on the day of a test/quiz, you
must make that test up within two days of returning to school. You
are responsible for getting this work and turning it in – I will
not seek you out; you must come to me! Unless you were not in
class on a given day, late work will be accepted for partial credit. If
you receive special accommodations please speak to me in private.

Electronic Devices
As explained on pages 50-51 of your student handbook, please leave
your MP3 players, cell phones, and any other electronic device in your
locker or backpack. If I see it or hear it (that includes vibrations) it will
be taken away and your dean will be notified – consider this your one
warning. I see these devices as distractions to the learning
environment and they will not be tolerated.

Cheating/Plagiarism
While you can check your handbook for the penalties for
cheating/plagiarism, I want to make sure that you clearly understand
 what I consider to be examples of these offenses so that you can keep
yourself out of trouble. We are here to help you learn, and you cannot
do that unless you do the work yourself. Instances of cheating and
plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment and a referral to your
dean. As stated in the handbook, further punishments may include
failure of the course, detentions, suspensions and expulsions. These
will be handled on a case-by-case basis. While some teachers may
refer to cheating and plagiarism as synonyms, I like to break them
down into two categories:

Cheating on Classroom Work:

1. Working on an assignment together when not directed to do so.

If I give each of you an assignment, it is to be understood that I want
each of you to complete the assignment on your own. This is the only
way for me to assess if you understand the material.

2. Copying another student’s homework. This is very similar to the

above offense, but in this case, one student has done the work and
allows another student to copy it. Both students will be held
responsible for this type of cheating!

3. Cheating on tests and quizzes. This can involve using a “cheat

sheet”, looking at someone else’s paper during a test, etc.

Plagiarism:

1. Using outside sources for analytical homework/essays. If I ask

you to analyze a text we are studying, I want your own analysis, not
one from Cliff Notes, Spark Notes, or any other on-line site that has
commentary on the book.

2. Using someone else’s paper.

3. All examples given in the GCHS Research Manual, which include

such things as using quoted or paraphrased material without citing the
sources within the paper and in the works cited page.

Restroom Use
Our class time together is valuable, so I ask that you do your best to
make use of the restrooms before or after class – that is what passing
periods are partially for. If you are worried that you will be late for
class, feel free to drop your stuff off and let me know where you are
 going before the bell rings. At no point should you interrupt class to
ask to use the restroom unless it is an ABSOLUTE EMERGENCY. If there
is a personal situation that needs to be addressed, please see me in
private.

Food & Drinks

Grayslake Central High School does not allow food or drink to be taken
anywhere in the building other than the cafeteria. For this reason, no
food or drinks will be permitted in the classroom.

Grading & Evaluation

Grading is determined on a point system at the end of each grading
period – you will be assigned a letter grade based on the percentage of
points you have earned out of the total possible points for that period.
The grading scale and category weights can be found on the first page
of the syllabus.

It is your responsibility to track your progress in this class using

PowerSchool. I will make a conscious effort to keep the grade book as
up to date as possible. It is in your best interest to save all
assignments to ensure your grades are accurate. Do not hesitate to
contact me if you feel that there is a discrepancy in your grade.

A Final Note:
I am here for you! Do not hesitate to contact me (by phone, e-mail, or
in person) to talk about any questions, comments, suggestions,
concerns, etc. I would like to speak with you privately if you feel that
there is a personal situation that may affect your performance in the
class. You are my number one priority, and I will do anything and
everything in my power to help you succeed and enjoy English this
year. I’m looking forward to getting to know each of you and having
an enjoyable year!

(tear here)
 After reading this document, please sign and return this slip
before: ____________

I have received and read the syllabus and I understand all

requirements, policies, procedures, and expectations for the course.

Student Name (please print): _______________________ Period: _________

Student Signature: ______________________________________________

Date: _______________

Parent Signature: ___________________________________________ Date:

_________________