English 12A Trimester 1 Disclosure Statement
Course Overview: English 12A is a reading and writing intensive course with an emphasis on world literature that is designed to prepare students for reading and writing beyond high school, whether in college or the work force. 12A will focus on world literature that exposes students to a wide range of authors, styles, cultures, time periods, and ideas. Students will improve their ability to write, speak, listen, and perform close reading. Students will also enhance their ability to think creatively and logically as we examine texts, literary theory, language, and writing techniques. The goal of this course is to teach students think critically, write clearly, and read well independently.
We will read the following novels this trimester: Life of Pi, The Alchemist, and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. We will also read from The Tao te Ching each day and read selections from A World of Short Stories, The Elements of Style, They Say I Say, and How to Read Literature Like a Professor. We will also examine poetry on a daily basis.
Necessary Materials: Students should have a three ring binder for this course that they bring every day for notes and assignments. Most of the books we read will be classroom sets students borrow from me and use in class. They should not take these home unless they check with me first. However, students will need to purchase a copy of Life of Pi, as it will be our marked book for this trimester. I will inform students of the cost of the book soon, and they can pay for it in the main office.
Expectations: Students should be on time, prepared, and participate. If a student is absent, he or she should check the class blog at bairdenglish.blogspot.com. Unless specifically directed by the teacher, all cell phones and other electronic devices should be turned off and stored away. Use of a cell phone or other device (including headphones) during class will result in a zero for that day’s participation. Students should be prepared with completed homework at the start of class the day the assignment is due. Late work will result in deduction of 50% credit or more.
Policies: We will adhere to all Brighton High School policies, particularly the plagiarism policy. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and should never occur in class. The purpose of every writing assignment is for students to improve their writing; therefore, all work needs to be each student’s original work.
Procedures: Students should be in their assigned seats at the start of class and when the bell rings, and should begin their assignment from The Tao te Ching. If a student forgets his or her packet for this, they should complete the assignment on looseleaf paper and transcribe it into the packet at first opportunity. If a student is absent, the day’s reading from the Tao will be listed on the class blog (and in the packet), and students can find a PDF version of the text here: http://www.dankalia.com/more/taoteching.pdf.
Grading: We will adhere to Brighton High’s standard grade scale. Students’ grades, in general, will be determined by the following:
- Tao te Ching bell work: 265 points for the trimester (53 entries at five points per entry)
- Daily participation: 5 points per day (300 points total, with approximately 60 days in the trimester - cell phone use during class results in a zero)
- Major writing assignments: 100 points
- Minor writing assignments: 25-50 points
- Reading assignments: 1 point per page due
- Other assignments, tests, and quizzes (including the final exam) will have point values that vary.
Internet and Media Policy: At various points this year, we may use the internet in class or view film clips to supplement the texts we read in class. Signing the disclosure indicates the student has permission to use the internet for class assignments and view selected film clips, and that the student pledges to use the internet for purposes of completing the given assignment only.
Lastly, this is my second year teaching at Brighton, and my 20th overall. Previously, I taught middle school English and literature at JE Cosgriff for eight years, and then English at Judge Memorial for ten years. I was also on the boys’ basketball staff at Judge for 22 years, and am excited to start my second on the staff here at Brighton. I have a degree in English and a Utah State Teaching License from the University of Utah and a Masters of Teaching degree from Grand Canyon University. I have published work professionally in publications such as Teaching K-8 Magazine, The Salt Lake Tribune, Middle Ground, and The Utah Council of Teachers of English Journal. My wife, Laura (herself a Brighton graduate), and I have three children: John Marshall, Jacob Atticus, and Sarah Astrid, and a dog named Sienna. I’m happy to discuss any issue with you. I am easiest to reach via email at jeffrey.baird@canyonsdistrict.org. Because I teach in the evenings at the Salt Lake Metro Jail twice a week outside of basketball season, and because we have practice after school during the season, I would ask that if have to meet for whatever reason that we schedule the meeting for some time before school.
Disclosure Signature Page
I have read this disclosure contract, and by signing below, I am accepting the responsibilities that are outlined within it, and agree to abide by it.
Also, by signing this, I am acknowledging that I have permission to use the internet – and understand school policies concerning its use – during class, for an assignment.
I am also pledging that all assignments I submit for a grade for class will be my own original work, and not plagiarized from another source.
Please print student’s name:
Student Signature:
Parent Signature:
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