AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION
2014-2015
Mrs. Dee McDowell
I work very hard to run my classroom in an organized and fair manner. If a student conscientious then he/she has a great chance for success. I am always willing an open to give extra help-therefore, excuses should be minimal.
TEXTS: THE LANGUAGE OF COMPOSITION by Renee H. Shea, Lawrence Scanlon and Robin Dissin Aufses
ALSO, a set vocabulary textbook, numerous non-fiction essays nd several fictional novels
WEBSITE:
http://websites.pdesas.org/dmcdowell/
SUPPLIES:
How you choose to organize yourself is up to you.Junior year is about becoming independent and getting ready for college expectations. Writing paper and a pencil are absolutely necessary for class each day.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Do them and don't complain. The are listed on my white board and updated on my website weekly. 2. Do them on time 3. Choose not to do #1 and #2 and elicit NO sympathy from me. No make-ups for small homework assignments.
ESSAYS:
1. A HARD COPY is due on the due date-NOT via email, usb, or after school. Anything not turned in that day IN CLASS is LATE.
2. Do not come to me the day of a due date with a sob story. Problem solve. If your printer is not working be prepared to have it done early so you can copy it elsewhere. ABSOLUTELY NO HANDWRITTEN PAPERS-technology is everywhere-see me if you are having a personal issue, just do not wait until something is due.
3. 1 day late= 10% off
2 days late= 30% off
3 days late= 50% off
After three days, I do not need to accept a paper. This is all department policy.
4. RESEARCH PAPER-over the years, some students are absent on the day that this large paper is due. Unless your parent emails me specifics, if you are absent on the day the research paper is due, I MUST receive an emailed copy on the due date.
QUIZZES AND TESTS
I give ample notification of most quizzes and tests. BUT-if I assign chapters from a novel, due by a certain day, don’t be surprised by a quiz that day. Hint Hint.
I expect you to make up the quiz or test on the day you return from an absence.
If you have not made up a quiz or test one week after an absence, it becomes a zero.
GRADING
Expect to be graded on the following EACH quarter:
-essays, quizzes and tests (both on vocab, grammar and various reading assignments), work folder, and projects/research
PLAGIARISM-
if you plagiarize your work, expect a zero. Also, Mr. Ditsky asks to be notified of any junior caught plagiarizing a paper and his/her name will be noted in the college guidance department, so its seriousness at the collegiate level can be addressed.
ABSENCES
if you are absent, check my website and check with a friend first. Then, see me before or after school-NOT in the middle of class.
CELL PHONES AND GUM:
It is not the actual gum-chewing that bothers me. It is what often winds up on my floor that really annoys me. If you are blatantly chewing away, I will ask you to put it in the trash. Repeat offenders may be brought in to clean my room after school.
I have a cell phone, I love my cell phone. BUT- I would never be rude enough to use my cell phone during a class or meeting. ALSO- there is usually no other reason for you to be : a) looking at your hand in your pocket, b) searching through a book bag pocket, c) staring at your hands in your lap, or d) whatever other trick you try…these usually have to do with cell phone use. If you do use your phone, be prepared to pay $10 and get a demerit. Sometimes I am in a good mood and you get a warning…if you want to take the chance that is up to you.
CLASS PARTICIPATION: At the end of each quarter you will get a class participation score based on 30-50 points. Any time you are sleeping, texting, or needing constant reminders to stop socializing, you will lose 2 points. Also, you will lose 2 points if you forget necessary materials for class that day. I have reminders all over the room and online, you need to bring the materials/books etc.
