James E.

Taylor High School

English I Pre-AP/GT
Ms. Fader, Room 9124

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 281-237-9232
Conference: 3rd period

Welcome to Taylor High School and to English I Pre-AP/GT! I am so excited to have you in my
class, and I can't wait to get this year started!

Required Supplies
 Binder (at least 1 inch)
 5 pocket dividers labeled:
 Class Info.
 Literature
 Writing
 Vocabulary
 Grammar
 Composition book (Mead, bound) OR Spiral notebook (1 subject)
 Pocket folder (with brads)
 Facial tissue (large box, soft)
 Pencils (No. 2, lead)
 Pens (Blue ink)
 Red grading pens
 Highlighters (3 different colors)
 Notebook paper

Books
In addition to the literature textbook, we will be reading:
 To Kill a Mockingbird
 Anthem
 The Art of Styling Sentences (9th-12th)

The school provides you with these books; however, you will be issued each one for a limited time
because other classes will need to use the same books. Many students prefer to purchase their own
copies of the books, which would allow you to begin reading early and to write in your book. The books
will be on sale at Open House on September 8th.

Assignments
Daily and weekly activities and assignments are listed on the chalkboard. Please read this information
every day and make note of the daily homework and approaching due dates, quizzes, and tests. If you
need clarification, please ask me. "I didn't know" will not be an acceptable excuse for anything, as
everything you need to know will be on the board.
Make Up Work
YOU are responsible for collecting, completing, and returning assignments that you miss during an
absence – I will NOT remind you! For every day that you are absent, you will have TWO SCHOOL
DAYS to make up the work. It is your responsibility to arrange to take makeup tests and quizzes
before or after school.
 If you miss a class because of a field trip or extracurricular activity, ALL of the work for the day
that you miss is due at the next class meeting.
 Work that is assigned before your absence is due on the day that you return (unless the date has
not yet occurred). This includes tests!!!

Grading System
I will return your work and/or notify you of the grade you earned on individual assignments in a timely
manner. Please remember that your paper/test/assignment is not the only one that I have to grade!
Grades will be classified and calculated in the following manner:

Daily.................10%
 Homework
 Class work/Reading Checks
 Participation

Minor...............30%
 Quizzes
 Short writing assignments
 Other specified assignments

Major.............60%
 Compositions
 Projects
 Test

The Honor Code

 “Cheating is giving or receiving information.” Do not look on the tests or quizzes of your fellow
students AND do not allow them to look at your test.
 Do not copy homework.
A grade of zero will be awarded for cheating, you will receive an “N” in conduct, you will not be able to
exempt my final, and your parent/guardian will be contacted.

Paper Procedures
Unless otherwise specified all papers should have the following information in the top right corner of
the first page:
Name
English I PreAP/GT- Class Period
Date
Class Rules
 BE POLITE
o Respect yourself, your classmates and your teacher.
o Respect school property, my property and your classmates’ belongings.
o Raise your hand to be recognized before speaking.
o Do not bring food or drink in the classroom.
o Put cell phones away during class.
 BE PREPARED
o Bring all supplies to class every day.
 BE PUNCTUAL
o Be on time and in your seat when the tardy bell rings.
o Use the bathroom before entering the classroom.
o Turn in work complete and on time.
 BE POSITIVE
o Do not use inappropriate language!

Tardies
If you arrive to class after the tardy bell rings, you will be considered tardy. Quietly sign the tardy
sheet by the door and take your seat. If you have to return to your locker during class, you will
receive a tardy, so come to class prepared! You are responsible for remembering to serve your
detention. Freshmen After School Detention for tardies (ASD) will be held in Room 100 A/B.

Consequences
I do not anticipate any problems; however, if you make inappropriate choices, I will take one or more
of the following steps:
 Give a verbal warning
 Assign 15 minutes of after-school detention
 Assign 30 minutes of after-school detention
 Contact parent(s)
 Submit a discipline referral to grade-level principal

Final Note
I am here teaching you because I care about you and about your progress and success in my class.
PLEASE do not hesitate to talk with me about any questions, problems, concerns, or good news that
you might have! I hope that you are as excited about this school year as I am!