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Round Table |
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Round Table |
Mrs. Melissa Noël
Clayton High School
Spring 2010
Course Description
In this course, we will read multiple texts to analyze their content and reflect
on the authors’ representation of specific topics. In addition to books, we will
read shorter selections such as essays, news articles, and poems. The texts I
have selected present people who face considerable challenges, and we will do
our best to examine how these individuals handle these significant conflicts. In
small and large group discussions, we will face difficult topics and situations
in an attempt to find possible solutions to complicated issues in our society
today.
Possible Books
Potential Topics
Activities
You can expect to discuss challenging topics in large and small group settings.
We will also have online chats. In
addition to class discussions, students will be expected to reflect on topics in
personal journals. Quizzes and
essays will assess students’ understanding of the texts, and projects will also
be assigned. Students will have to research throughout the course about the
topics that we are exploring, so there will be a research component to this
course as well.
Expectations
There are many expectations and requirements in and around school.
For this class, you are expected to:
1.
Follow directions;
2.
Respect your classmates and your teacher;
3.
Be prepared for class every day by having the required materials;
4.
Be on time and ready for class to begin when I am;
5.
Avoid class interruptions;
6.
Don’t eat in class;
7.
Be in class every day unless you are too sick to do so; and
8.
Take care of personal problems such as restroom visits and peer-related
situations outside of this class.
I do not allow my class to be disrupted by students either in my class or
outside. You will not be
permitted to leave unless it is an emergency, nor can your friends communicate
with you once you are in my class.
Consequences
There are consequences for poor choices and bad behavior. As you can imagine, I
will not tolerate unruly or disrespectful students.
I will warn you once, and that warning may be verbal or it may be
nonverbal in the form of a “stern” look.
After that, I will speak to you in private. If the situation does not
improve, you can expect:
Supplies
You will need:
You must bring paper, your journal,
a pen, and the required text to class every day.
Communication
I am available for consultation before or after school by appointment, or you
may contact me via the Internet. I
regularly check my email and don’t mind if you write me.
My email address is:
melissanoel@johnston.k12.nc.us. My
lessons and calendars are online at
http://msnoel.com, so please check the
website often and bookmark the page for your class calendar.
Handouts and supplemental information can be found on this site, too.
Everything is on this site.
If you lose the handout I gave you, it can be found online.
Research Component
We will be doing research during this course for essays and projects, and you
will be expected to be ethical regarding your use of sources and information. We
will discuss plagiarism in detail, but I want you to know now that I take
plagiarism seriously. Do not copy or cheat in my class.
Novels
We will read several books this semester. If you are the type of student who
likes to write in his or her own texts, I suggest you buy your own copy. I
strongly encourage students to annotate in books, so purchase your own copy if
you can afford it. Many times, you can find copies of these classics at Wal-Mart
or used through Amazon.com. There
will be pop quizzes on the texts, so always read the assigned pages. In order
for us to have effective class discussions, I need everyone to be on the same
page. Our first selection will be
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder.
Essays
Essays will be assigned often. Formal essays that are assigned for homework must
be typed in 12-point font and double-spaced, but I will go over the correct MLA
format in class later in more detail.
Just know that there is a format that I expect.
Please remember that all printer and computer issues are your responsibility.
The essay due date is not negotiable and a letter grade will be deducted per day
that the paper is late regardless of the problem. Plan in advance and make sure
that the paper is turned in at the beginning of class on the day that it’s due
or it is late, and there is no excuse that I will accept. If you are absent, I
expect you to email the essay to me as an attachment on the due date unless your
parent has discussed the situation with me and there is a serious illness
involved.
Journals
A one-subject spiral notebook is going to be your journal for this class.
Sometimes we will start class by writing in the journals.
When you walk into class, a journal topic may be on the board, and you
will be expected to write for approximately 5-7 minutes.
The purpose of this assignment is to get you ready for the day’s
assignment and/or lesson. Please take the journal seriously since it is an
important part of your grade. I will not deduct points for grammar or
punctuation in your journal, however, so feel free to relax when composing these
entries. The primary objective is to focus your attention on the topic of the
day. Sometimes we will share the journal entries, but usually they are private
introspective moments for you to reflect and relax.
Absences
As per CHS policy, students cannot miss more than four days (excused or
unexcused) in a nine week term and receive a passing grade. Students can make
time up in Academic Recovery; however, they can only make up three days per
quarter and the absence must be made up within ten days and within the quarter
in which it occurs. Students who do not comply will receive a grade of not
higher than 69 on their report card that quarter. It is your responsibility to
tell me when you have made time up so I can verify attendance. You must process
through ACC before class on the day following an absence. You are responsible
for showing me your “Admit Slip.” You are responsible for all missed work.
I will not chase you down.
If you are absent, check
http://msnoel.com and ask a peer about what
you missed. Make sure you also ask me about what you missed.
You have three days per absence to make up any assignments while you were
out. After that, you may not make up the work and it’s not open to discussion or
debate. Please try not to miss any
school.
Tardies
Be on time and in your desk when the bell rings. Two tardies equal one absence,
and I do follow the tardy policy for Clayton High School. If you miss more than
30 minutes, you are marked absent. I expect you to remain in your desk until the
bell rings to signal that the class is finished.
SSR
Students will be expected to read silently in class during SSR (Silent Sustained
Reading) time. You are expected to bring your book every day and read quietly
during SSR time or points will be deducted from your participation grade. The
purpose of SSR time is to encourage reading and to provide busy students time
they need to complete reading assignments. Please use this time wisely.
Electronic Devices
If your phone rings, I am required to write you up. Make sure that your phone is
off in my class and completely out of sight at all times. You may only use an
mp3 player with permission during special times. Please keep your ear buds out
of your ears when I am speaking and/or lecturing.
Dress Code
I do not like to monitor students’ attire, but per Clayton’s policy, I have to.
All students need to wear tasteful attire that is not provocative or
inappropriate. Boys cannot wear
saggy pants. Please refer to the student handbook for specific details and
regulations, and realize that I have to follow the guidelines that are set forth
by our administration. It is embarrassing for both of us when you break the
rules, so please don’t.
Grading Scale
Essays (argumentative, personal narrative, research) 40%
Quizzes/Class work/Homework 30%
Projects 10%
Journals 10%
Class Participation 10%
Remediation
You can always come to Remediation to make up assignments. I will post my
schedule and locations as soon as I know them. Please use this time to consult
with me concerning missed work or low grades. I am more than willing to help you
improve your performance in my class, but you have to show up for Remediation
for assistance. If you have below an 80, you must attend Remediation.
Final Words
I am more than willing to help students who put forth effort in my class, but
you have to demonstrate an interest and effort. More than anything, I want each
student to be successful, and I know you have to want that, too, so we’re bound
to be successful this year.
You can always find me in at the school or online through my email account.
Please email me if you have any questions or problems. I look forward to seeing
your parents at Open House on February 8th. Thanks!
Melissa W. Noël, M.A.T.
English Department
Clayton High School
melissanoel@johnston.k12.nc.us
Round Table Syllabus
Parent/Guardian Notification
Mrs. Noel
This is your first homework assignment. You must get this signed and returned by
tomorrow for a grade.
I have read Mrs. Noël’s syllabus and understand her course requirements, rules,
and guidelines. I will be
responsible for their contents. I
am aware that her lesson plans are posted on
www.msnoel.com.
I look forward to seeing you on February 8th for Clayton High’s Open
House. Mark your calendars now!
____________________________
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Student’s signature
Parent’s signature
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Student’s Email Address (if desired)
Parent’s Email Address
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Student’s Cell Phone Number
Parent’s Cell Phone
and/or Home Number
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Print
student’s name
Date