Classroom Conduct
I am not a strict disciplinarian. However, disrespect for myself or the others in the room will not be tolerated in the least. Because I run a group of free thinkers, it is imperative that you conduct yourself as an adult. Failure to do this may result in my haivng you removed to another class or after school detention with me. Argument is great but bullying, fighitng, name calling, and degrading a person will not be tolerated.
I love to have fun and it is my hope that you will enjoy coming to this class but we have to take care not to allienate anyone or make anyone feel uncomfortable as we explore the ideas that make great literature and why people write. This class is about preparing you for life and letting you know that the great writers have been where you are today.Ideas are what make life great and we can only explore those ideas in an adult environment where everyone feels free to contribute.
I expect you to be on time. I realize that there can be extenuating curcumstances from time to time but if it becomes chronic you may loose credit for the class.
I expect you to be ready for class. This means that you should have paper and pencil or pen. I will on occasion loan some of the following but if it becomes chronic, I will contact your parents and I may deduct a letter grade from any assignment that you have to borrow paper or pencil to complete. You would not show up at a job unfit to work so do not do this in my class.
I expect you to participate in class. if you are shy and feel you cannot speak out, I do call on students from time to time but I warn you now that if you have no voice you cannot make an "A" in my class. Let me also say that there are no bad ideas, no stupid ideas, and no right or wrong answers; however, some are better than others. I have found in my life that being silent leaves you behind and I want you to have your dreams --speak out.
I do not have a seating chart unless you force me to and at that point, how I conduct the classroom will change. If we have to go to a seating chart, it is because I have determined that you are children and I will treat you as such. This does not produce the best learning environment, but it does create the most discipline. Please, I beg of you, do not make me resort to this. All seats are first come first serve. If you are late, do not try to force someone to move. You should have been on time.
Late Work
I do not accept late work. If you have an extenuating curcumstance, it must be discussed and a decision made before the due date or it is due when the assignment is due. However, having said this I warn you to never turn work into a substitute with the exception of book reports. I will take it up on my return. If you do turn it in and I do not get it, you never turned it in. You are never missing an assignment. I am very generous with points for demonstrating scholarship and brilliance. I suggest that if you are missing an assignment, or failed to get an assingment in on time, you make a point of demonstrating how brilliant you are to me on another assignment. I also give extra credit assignments, which I would take advanatge of if I have missing assignments.
Attendance
The school has an attendance policy that you must be aware of. This year there are no excused abscences only 10 abscences per semester or you lose credit in the class. I can assure that the school will follow this policy but I will also say this -- I use a lot of materials that are not in the books and much of what I teach comes out in discussions in class. These are points that cannot be made up and information that you do not have. This means that in my class I can guarantee that if you have excessive absences you cannot pass.
If you are absent, the work we did the day you were absent is due one day after your return unless you and I have worked something else out. If I have sent the work home or the school has asked me for your work, it is due when you return.There are no extra days. I will not come to you and give you the work nor will I hunt you down and try to give it to you. This is your responsibility.
Books
I do not check out books as a general rule.I find that they get lost or the family moves away and I never see them again. However, if you would like for me to check one out to you I am more than willing. Most everything is on the internet including everything that is in our book. I do make assignments that come out of the book but most of that is available on the internet.