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Class Guidelines and Expectations for Mrs. Maguire 2007-2008

 Supplies Needed for Every Class:  a 3-ring binder with pockets and dividers, 5-10 "plastic sleeves" for your 3-ring binder, 2 dark blue or black pens, 1 red pen, the current class novel and your vocabulary book if you are a sophomore, and a book report book.                                      

 Grading Scale:  All quizzes count once towards the total number of points for the quarter.  Most tests count at least twice.  Some longer assignments count even more.  You will be told in advance how many times an assignment will count.  Homework will sometimes count as a quiz grade, so don’t be caught without it.  Several good grades on homework can really raise your average.  Several zeroes on homework, however, are what make most students fail.  Don’t be one of those students! Remember that a numerical grade of 80 is equal to a letter grade of “C.”

 English Department Due Date Policy:
1.   All work passed in the date it is due will receive full credit.
2.   Twenty points will be deducted from the grade of any work passed in late.
3.   After seven calendar days from the due date, the paper will receive a maximum grade of  F (65).
4.  After fourteen calendar days from the due date, the paper will receive a grade of zero.
Assignments are due at the beginning of class. This does not mean your assignment is in your locker, on a pen drive, or in your email. If you are having problems with a home computer or printer, then you should email the assignment to me before class. Vocabulary homework is not accepted late!

Extra Credit:  Extra credit is not allowed unless all regularly assigned work has been completed. If all regularly assigned work has been completed, and you would like to do extra credit, then you should see me before or after class, so we can discuss some options.

 Writing Assignments:  All writing assignments completed out of the classroom must be word-processed.  Use Times New Roman and  size12 font.  No italics please.  All assignments need to have your full name, the date and the block.  If you are passing in a late assignment, then you need to write “Late” across the top.  Also, include the date due and the date submitted.  If you think you have an extenuating circumstance that you would like me to consider, then attach a note to the top of the paper explaining your problem.  Do not simply tell me your excuse during class as everyone else is passing up their papers. All writing assignments done in the classroom must be done in dark blue or black ink.  No fancy colors please.  Lavender is lovely, but it makes  papers difficult to read! Answers must always restate the question and be written in full sentences.  Vocabulary sentences must also give context clues. 

Homework:  You will have homework every night. Written homework will include vocabulary, journal entries, formal  and creative essays, a research paper, and  a poetry paper. When you don’t have written homework, then you should be studying your vocabulary, reading the class novel, a book report book or  working on long range assignments.  (If all regularly scheduled work is complete, then you may write an extra book report for extra credit. See me for the book report form.) Special note: English homework is often different from other  subjects such as math, because rather  than having nightly exercises  to complete, you will have more  reading and long range writing assignments.  You are also expected to read for 30 minutes each day and  work on SAT Prep at least one a week.

The Official SAT Online Course:
1.  Go to collegeboard.com/satonlinecourseschool
2.  In the "Students" box click "Register Now."
3.  Sign in with your collegeboard.com account or create a new one.

 Extra Help:  I am available most days after school if I don't have a meeting.  Be sure to check with me in advance, so I can put your name on my calendar.

Attendance: As a member of the class, your presence is vital.  Basically, you may not have more than three absences. 

Tardy:  If you are tardy to class, then be sure to enter the room quietly, hand me your tardy pass, sign the “Tardy Clipboard,” and sit quietly in your assigned seat.  Be sure to see me at the end of class.  You must serve a 30 minute detention within 24 hours, or it will be turned over to the Main Office.  You will not be allowed to make up any work you missed.

Quarterly Calendars:  Quarterly calendars will be given to all students at the beginning of each quarter.  You are expected to keep an updated calendar in your 3-ring binder at all times.  If you would like an extra calendar to keep at home, all you need to do is ask.  I will also have a copy of the calendar posted in the classroom and on the school's web page at http://staff.msad71.net/mmaguire/

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 Please sign to acknowledge that you have received and read these guidelines.  This is your first homework assignment.  It needs to be in your 3-ring binder all year!   

Your Name (Please print) _______________________________________________________________

Your signature ________________________________________________________________________

Your Birthday _________________________________________________________________________

Your Favorite Book  ____________________________________________________________________

Student's Email Address   (Please print) ___________________________________________________

Parents' Email Address  (Please print) ________________________________________________

Parent's Signature______________________________________________________________________