GRADE SCALE

                                      *see Classroom Rules and Procedures

                                           handout for specifics on grades

Important Handouts

Classroom Rules and Procedures

Why must we have spelling tests?!

Here is an interesting take on why spelling is important.

Does Spelling Matter?

"Many people say no, but I disagree. Some people think bad spelling makes you seem stupid. People who say it's not important often point out that many brilliant people are lousy spellers.

Bad spelling makes you look lazy. That's my opinion on the subject. It's true that some geniuses can't spell, but some geniuses walk around with gravy stains on their shirts. That's what bad spelling seems like to me: a big, obvious gravy stain in the middle of your writing.

If you wouldn't wear stained, smelly clothing, you shouldn't be content to have misspelled words all over your letters, articles, stories, or Web pages."

Taken from:

McAdams, Mindy.  "Spelling Tips."  2002.  13 Nov 2007. 

     http://www.sentex.net/~mmcadams/spell_tips.html

Personally, I want you to learn to spell correctly in order to save you time from looking up every other word that you write, or even to ensure you use better vocabulary rather than elementary words simply because you know how to spell them.  Although many words may not seem to relate to you, you should be learning pronunciation skills, vocabulary, and spelling tips from the weekly words.  Finally, one of our state standards requires students to learn to proofread for spelling and capitalization errors, and I believe that having weekly spelling tests is one way to improve proofreading skills.

Speech

English I

English II

English IV

Speech PowerPoints hints and keys and Speech Comedy Tips

STANDARDS

Newspaper--

3.B.4b  Produce, edit, revise and format work for submission and/or publication using

            contemporary technology.

Vocabulary--

1.A.5a  Identify and analyze new terminology applying knowledge of word origins and

            derivations in a variety of practical settings.

Spelling--

3.A.4  Use standard English to edit documents for clarity, subject/verb agreement, adverb

          and adjective agreement and verb tense; proofread for spelling, capitalization and

          punctuation; and ensure that documents are formatted in final form for submission

          and/or publication.

1.  Earn 100% of your AR points.

     ~These points account for 20% of your quarter grade each quarter.

     ~The AR portion of your grade can make the difference of passing or failing.

2.  Keep your class notebook up-to-date.

     ~Everything we do should be kept in chronological order by date.

     ~Everything needs to be properly placed in the notebook.

     ~This assignment is considered a major project, and is calculated as an exam

       grade.

     ~This is an easy A+ assignment once you learn how to be organized.

     ~This assignment can also make the difference between passing and failing for

       students who are struggling to pass.

3.  Do all homework and study for all exams.

     ~Homework is essential to passing English class--not only because you will get a

       homework grade, but the assignments also help you practice skills to prepare you

       for exams and essays.

     ~Most students must study in order to pass my English exams.

     ~You can count on tests every Friday with spelling and/or vocabulary; don't wait   

       until Thursday night or Friday morning to start studying.

4.  Talk to Mrs. England.

     ~If you have all of your regularly assigned work completed, look into doing extra

       credit, but understand that extra credit requires extra work.  Also keep in mind

       that there is not always extra credit available.  Check the bulletin board for

       availablity.

     ~We can set up tutoring for before or after school.

     ~Parents may call (618-586-2712) OR email me to arrange an appointment, 

       but the student should also attend our meeting.

     ~Students are encouraged to talk to me before school, after school, or

       between classes--so that we can talk without classroom interuption.

Need extra credit?  **no more than 20 extra points allowed per quarter

CATCH THE SPIRIT!  Memorize our school song for up to 10 points extra credit

Enter an essay or poetry contest for up to 10 points extra credit--more info. on

          Extra Credit Bulletin Board

Attend the Drama Club play for 10 points extra credit

Also watch in the Extra Credit Bulletin Board for future postings

Drama Club

Check out our Web site, which includes pictures of various stages of our preparations for the play

http://www.palestinepioneers.org/

PHSDramaClub.html

Check out pictures from previous Drama Club events.

"The Doctor Is In" credits & pictures

Homecoming 2006

2006 Variety Show

Murder By the Book