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Springboard Level IV/ Introduction to Literature 1X
Course Syllabus
Mr.
Dawkins
Fall 2007
Room 221
Phone: (720) 423-6231
Planning: 11:09 pm-1:19 pm Purple Days and 1:26-2:51 White Days
nickolas_dawkins@dpsk12.org
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| Mr. Dawkins |
Mr. Dawkins in
Bath, England. |
Course
description
In Level IV, the units focus on the
concept of "Coming of Age," as well as presenting a traditional genre
study. The units begin with an introduction to the idea of "Coming of Age"
and then follow this topic by presenting units focused on short stories,
poetry, drama, film, non-fiction, and a novel that present incidents that
are significant milestones in the lives of young people. Specific elements
of genre study and writing skills are emphasized. Students are expected to
learn and apply reading, writing, oral and collaborative strategies to
their own learning styles, strengths and weaknesses. Students in the
Introduction to Literature 1X course will also participate in a unique
learning experience with students from overseas. The International Book
Sharing Program is a unique project that is based on Israeli students
and students from other countries working together on an assigned text.
More information on this project will be presented later on in the
semester. The following are the units covered during the first semester of
the course:
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Unit 1: Coming of Age
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Unit 2: Short Story
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Unit 3: Poetry
This course will cover the Colorado Model Content Standards for reading
and writing. For a complete description of these standards you can visit
the following website:
http://curriculum.dpsk12.org/standards/read_writing.pdf
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Materials
Blue or black pens
Spiral notebook
Three-ring binder
Loose leaf paper
Student planner
Springboard Level IV Textbook and other reading texts (provided)
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Responsibilities
Students will
come to class prepared to work every day with no exceptions. Cell phones,
pagers, CD players, and other similar electronic devices will not be
permitted in class. If these devices are visible or audible during class,
they will be confiscated and turned over to a Dean. Soda and candy will
not be permitted in class; however, bottled water will be allowed. All
South
High School polices will be followed in
class, and each student will be respectful to his or her self and others
in the classroom.
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Course Requirements
In each unit, you will participate
in a student-centered, active learning environment. Within the different
activities, you will complete embedded assessments that will require you
to create, present, write and perform. You will also be required to create
and maintain an assessment portfolio. The assessment portfolio is an
important tool for organizing your work in this course. It also provides
another form of assessment to demonstrate how successfully you have met
the course objectives. The portfolio will include items that illustrate a
wide range of work, including examples of reading, writing, oral literacy,
and collaborative activities. You will be given opportunities to revisit
those pieces, revise them and reflect on the strategies used and successes
and challenges encountered.
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Attendance and Tardy policy
Regular classroom attendance is
required to be successful in this course. On the third unexcused absence a
parent/guardian conference will be required with the Counselor and the
Academic Dean. Students may be assigned to the Academic Success Room to
complete missing course work and obtain tutoring assistance. Students with
habitual attendance issues may be placed on an attendance contract, face
legal intervention through State attendance laws or may be referred to an
alternative school. Students who fail courses and do not obtain credits
will be required to attend after-school credit recovery courses.
Habitually truant students over the age of 16 may be withdrawn from school
by an administrator. The Assistant Principal of Teaching and Learning will
notify the parent/guardian by phone and mail. (An appeals process will be
developed during the fall of 2007.) Also, it is the student’s
responsibility to find out what materials have been covered in class
when an absence occurs. It would be advisable to get at least one
classmate’s phone number in order to find out what material has been
covered in class.
All students will be granted three tardies in each class per grading
period. On the second tardy, I will inform parents of the current tardy
status and the next consequence. On the fourth tardy, a referral will be
given to the Dean of Students listing the dates of the tardies and the
date of parent contact. The student will then receive an assignment to
Saturday School. On the fifth tardy, the student will receive an
in-school suspension and a parent conference for re-entry into school.
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Grading
Grades will be based on participation in class, homework assignments,
embedded assessments and the assessment portfolio. Grades will be
measured by the standard letter grade scale. The following is the grading
scale adopted by the English department for the 2007-2008 school year:
A – 90-100%
B – 80-89%
C – 70-79%
D – 60-69%
F – 59% and below
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A note on submitting assignments in electronic
format or via e-mail
Since I am a firm believer in
students learning how to function in an increasingly digital environment,
I gladly accept written assignments saved on USB drives, CDs (no 3˝ disks,
please) or via e-mail; however, if your document will not open on my
computer and is submitted at the last minute, the assignment will be
considered late. If your e-mailed assignment does not show up in my inbox
or the attached file will not open, it will be considered late. Check
with me for Word format compatibility questions and possible blocking
issues of e-mailed assignments.
Also, please remember that I am
here to help you. I am available 30 minutes before school, during lunch
and during my planning periods. You may also contact me via e-mail with
any questions you may have and I will respond as soon possible. I want
each and every one of you to be successful in this class!
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Student
Signature Parent/Guardian
Signature
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