10th Grade English

Period 1 - Room 4

Mr. Freedman
MFreedman@BitneyPrep.net

Course Overview

The English Language Arts are about how we understand and connect with ourselves, others, and our world through language, images, and symbols. We understand by listening and reading, and we express ourselves through writing and speaking.  English 10 is organized around quarterly themes which connect a piece of literature to informational text covering a current topic, cross-curricular explorations, or issues relevant to student lives. This year, the course will include direct instruction in information and communications technology tools, methods and practices. 

• Atmosphere.  The atmosphere of the course is of a colloquium: a conference of peers and experts who gather to analyze and discuss a specific topics.  Student-scholars are invited to shape course direction, design and engage in thematic and project-based learning.  Respect your classmates by interacting attentively; without interruption or distraction.
• Responsibility and Organization  Be prepared for each class session.  You are responsible for managing and performing your work and for your grade.  Since this is a challenging program with many assignments, use your planner to manage your workload.  Students are responsible for retaining all class handouts and returned coursework until the semester has been completed.  If you lose course materials, you are responsible for getting another copy from another student.  Flexibility is afforded to students who take independent initiative in the pursuit of their own academic interests, and demonstrate responsibility in those pursuits.
• Timeliness  Classwork and homework may not be submitted late unless the student has made a prior arrangement with the teacher.  You must have all readings and assignments with you and completed prior to the session in which it is due.

Grading

The keys to academic success are to manage your workload proactively, and to provide complete and thorough responses to all assignments.  Plan to read from 50-100 pages per week.  Work in a place without distraction (no TV, music, other noises) where you can concentrate fully; reflect on what you are reading, and take notes to reinforce your comprehension and develop your ideas. In projects, honor the writing process; a first draft is never worthy of a good grade. Beyond this, to achieve an A, the student will demonstrate mastery of materials, creativity, originality, and initiative in their work.