HEREFORD HIGH SCHOOL

English I Pre-Advanced Placement

Mrs. Sims   Room 406

Course Objective:  The main objective of the English I-Pre Advanced Placement curriculum is to cultivate high level academic skills and independent study habits necessary for success in Advanced Placement courses.  Students will read, analyze, and evaluate selections from varied genres of literature and practice becoming focused, articulate writers.  The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and Texas Assessment of Knowledge of Skills Test (TAKS) are foundations of this course.

Course Content: 

• TAKS reading and writing skills
• Vocabulary, spelling, grammar
• Poetry and short stories
• Research projects
• Frankenstein             
• Animal Farm            
• Romeo and Juliet
• The Odyssey and mythology

Expectations and Guidelines:   

1.  Academic dishonesty (copying, cheating, and plagiarism, for example) is not tolerated.   Using Cliff’s Notes, internet summaries, or films in place of reading assigned materials has no place in AP English.  Zeroes will be given for all assignments involving plagiarism or cheating.  See HISD Academic Integrity and Academic Dishonesty Policy and requirements for nomination to the National Honor Society.  

2.    All students must follow HISD discipline policy, dress code, administrative directives, and classroom rules.

3.    Students are responsible for books and novels used in class and must pay for damage and lost books.  Each English paperback costs $15 to replace.

Classroom Rules:                                                 

                                    1.  The teacher is in charge.                                                                                                                   

                                    2.   Respect is required.

3.  Academic honesty is essential.   Cheating, copying, and plagiarism (Internet included) will result in zeroes for all grades given for the assignment.   

                                    4.  No food, gum, or drinks are allowed in class.

5.  Students must stay in the classroom the full 50 minutes of class.  Passing periods are the time to gather supplies and take care of personal business.

6.  Students must bring all necessary books and supplies to class every day.  See Student Code of Conduct, Student Expectations.

7.  Students must prepare for class activities, follow the teacher’s directions, and complete all assigned work.

8.  NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.  The student may arrange

                                                tutorial time BEFORE the assignment due date if help is needed. 

Consequences:  Teacher consequences might include one or more of the following:  morning detention, loss of privileges, essay writing, adjustment of seating, conference with student, teacher/parent conference, referral to principal’s office, or other consequence necessary to restore a proper learning environment.  Inappropriate behavior is documented.   The Student Handbook lists district discipline policies.

Supply List:   One small box of Kleenex, blue or black pens (all writing must be done in blue or black ink), wide-ruled white notebook paper (NO SPIRAL EDGES), a binder, and dividers.  Other supplies may be needed for creative projects.

You are in for a terrific learning experience if you work  hard and keep trying.