Welcome toAP Language

First Day of SchoolObjective: Learn about the course

as well as class procedures and expectations.

You will receive the following handouts:Course Syllabus & Information

Cell Phone & Electronic Device Procedures (you will get tomorrow…)

Dates to RememberAll forms must be signed and

returned by the beginning of class on Friday, August 29.

Open House is scheduled for Monday, September 15, 6:00-8:00 p.m.Extra credit will be given for those

whose parents come by and meet me!

Course DescriptionOur class is a survey of American

Literature. American authors, novels, plays, poems, and short stories will be studied. A research paper will be covered in the second semester.

GoalYou, the student, will explore the

developments of major American literary periods and learn several authors and works from each. The student will also improve the skills already acquired in writing, language, reading, cooperation, and critical thinking.

Class Rules Follow school rules as outlined in the student

handbook.

Be on time, prepared, and ready for class when the bell rings.

Practice good manners at all times.

Each person will respect others’ person, property, ideas, and opinions.

When the instructor talks, nobody else may talk.

Purses, backpacks, and bags of any kind should be under the desk/desk basket at all times—never on top of desk or in aisle. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Class is dismissed when I say, not when the bell rings; DO NOT stand at the door or put your backpack on before the bell rings.

Class Rules, cont.

Basically, if you practice good manners, show respect, and do your best work, we will have a FANTASTIC time!

Absence ProcedureIt is the student’s responsibility to

obtain and make up any assignments and/or tests missed due to absence. If an assignment is due on the day the student is absent, it must be turned in the day the student returns to school. Students have one day per day absent to complete make-up work. Please see the class procedures for instructions on obtaining and turning in make-up work.

Late Work ProcedureMajor assignments are not accepted late.

Turn in your work on time, and you won’t have to worry about whether or not it’ll be accepted or have points deducted.

For more information, students and parents should refer to the English and Language Arts Department Procedures on the school website.

Absence & Late Work ProceduresSame as the Course Syllabus.

BASICALLY…

If you are absent, ASK ME for your work as soon as you return.

If you don’t turn in your work, I can’t give you a grade.

If you turn in your work late, points will be deducted.

TextbookYou will be granted access to the

online regular textbook.

You may opt to also have a copy of the regular textbook issued to you.

Our textbook for this class is ORANGE.

Materials3-ring binder with pockets (at least

1 ½ inch)Spiral notebook of your choiceRoyal blue or black ink pens onlyHighlightersLoose-leaf paper (college ruled) or

typing paper (depending on assignment…)

FolderSticky notes/flags/tabs

TeamworkOur class will often be working in

small teams or with partners. Quality work is expected; team work will be scaled in individual scores. Grades are based on individual effort.

Electronic AssignmentsOur class will be making use of

electronic/media-related assignments this year. These assignments will be used to enhance your learning experience, participation will be required and graded. Some will be completed in-class, others will be assigned to be completed outside of the classroom.

Electronic Assignments Expectations

Be professional at all times; no lewd, foul, or vulgar language is allowed

If written, information should be in standard form and not in texting jargon

Rules of plagiarism, cheating, and ethics apply

Respect all others’ work; no deleting, damaging, or manipulating the work of others

Respond to all assignments, questions, or posts in a timely manner

GradesGrades will be assessed in the following manner for each nine

week period; percentages of the total student average for each type of grade are listed below.

Major Grades (50%) : May include exams, essays, projects, and reading logs

Daily Grades (20%): May include class participation, daily assignments, notebook checks, and quizzes

Quiz Grades (20%): Some unannounced; covers class topics, discussions, electronic assignments, and some homework assignments

Connections (10%): You must accumulate 20 points by each 3-week mark.

Ways to add connection points…You will receive more info tomorrow, however

here are some of the simplest ways to get connection points:

1.Find an article using word of the week or a literary term.

2.Attend a designated cultural event, and submit a description and program.

3.Watch a designated movie, submit a well-prepared critique.

4.After a class discussion, submit an article that relates to literature.

5.Participate in U.I.L. academic events and submit a form signed by your sponsor.

6.Participate in approved bonus activities and submit related material.

Ways to lose connection points…Yes, you read that correctly. You

can lose points.

1.Not submitting signed U.I.L. forms.

2.No paper or pen in class.3.Failure to bring your book(s)

needed for class.4.Not following class rules.

Contacting the TeacherIf your parents need to contact me,

they can call the school at (830) 779-6630, or email me anytime. You can email me, too, if you need to. I will do my best to get back to you as soon as I can.

amy.maytum@lvschools.net

I also have a website at lvisd.org.

Signature & TextbookRequest Form

PurposeStudents can opt to have a textbook

issued, or they can use the online version of the textbook outside of class. We will have a class set of textbooks for use in the classroom. Please initial next to the option you have decided is best for you, then print and sign your name below.

 

Online TextbookALL students will be granted

access to the online textbook, regardless of option selected or unreturned form.

However, you DO want to turn in the form so you can get an easy 100!

SignaturesPlease make sure that YOU sign AND

date the form.

Your parent or guardian also must sign AND date the form.

This form is DUE by Friday, August 29 for a grade.

Cell Phone & Electronic Device Procedure

PurposeAs you know, LVHS began a Bring Your Own

Device policy recently. While technology is encouraged for educational purposes, there are times when the use of electronic devices and cell phones in the classroom is not appropriate. In order to improve focus and increase students’ active participation in academic learning, students will be expected to keep their cell phone and/or other electronic device in a designated area within the classroom.

Entering the ClassroomUpon entering the classroom and before

taking their seats, students will place their cell phone in the numbered pouch hanging on the wall in the front of the classroom. Each student is assigned a number based on alphabetical order and the student’s cell phone will go in the corresponding numbered pouch. Students must make sure that their phones are either turned off or set to silent before placing them in the pouch. Students MAY NOT leave phones on vibrate because this can be just as distracting as a ringing phone.

Leaving the ClassroomStudents may retrieve their cell

phones upon being dismissed from class. Cell phones are to be IMMEDIATELY put away in a bag, purse, or pocket. Students will be asked to confirm that they each have their own cell phone in possession before leaving class.

Other Electronic DevicesOn days when electronic devices

other than cell phones (i.e.: tablet or laptop computers) are not to be used, the device(s) should be put away in the student’s belongings.

 

BYOD InfoThis picture will be

posted in my classroom. You will know each day whether or not devices are appropriate for use in the classroom. As you can see, if you are inappropriately using your device(s), a Level 3 D-Hall will be issued to you.

SignaturesPlease CUT and sign this form,

and have your parent or guardian sign this form, too.

Again, this form is also due on Friday.

CaveatIt is not my intention to have you

turn in your phone EVERY DAY in a numbered pouch, however, I have this policy in place so that when phones and other electronics are used without express permission, YOU WILL. Don’t want your phone, etc., to be taken up every day? DON’T USE IT UNLESS YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION. Ok?

REMINDERS

All forms are due Friday. You MAY turn them in early, so get them signed as soon as possible.

Open House is Thursday night, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Have your parents stop by and meet me, and I will give you extra credit!

Helpful Tools fora Great Year

DropboxWe will utilize a Dropbox for this course.

In this folder, I will put copies of notes and handouts, so if you are absent you can access the information quickly.

You may also turn work in via this folder.

If you don’t have a Dropbox account....

Have a Smartphone?Better with computers?http://db.tt/x6siczuN

After you sign up for DropboxMake sure you send an email to

me, with your name and Dropbox as the subject, so I have your email address.

I will add you to Dropbox within 24 hours, so you will be able to access the information I put in the folder.

RemindFormerly Remind101

Keep up with AP Language via text message or email.

Important reminders will be sent.

Your parents can also sign up.

How to join Remind

Join via Text Message Join via e-mail

Enter this number(469) 275-4610

With this message@maytumlang

www.remind.com/join/maytumlang

Other…I am looking for more ways to

integrate technology and to help you be active learners. I am still looking into…

Google Drive

LVISD is working on this for all students…stay tuned!

Google Docs

Prezi

Edmodo

FYIThe following will be useful all

year. They are available as websites AND as apps. I strongly advise you to get and utilize them.

EasyBib.com

HowStuffWorks.com

Poetry.com

Merriam-Webster.com