Bridget Connor 

bconnor@peekskillschools.org (preferred method of contact)

914-737-0201

2019-2020 Schedule: 

Period 1: English 12  Memoir & Non-Fiction Room 212 / Google Classroom Code: njvp46h

Period 3:  Common Planning 

Period 4:  English 11 - Room 224 /Google Classroom Code: d2tjrcg

Period 5:  Memoir & Non-Fiction Room 224 /Google Classroom Code: umnwlbf

Period 6:  English 11 Room 224 /Google Classroom Code: 7fboxgc

Period 8: Study Hall - Cafeteria 

Period 9:  English 11 - Room 224 /Google Classroom Code: jzz27ov

“Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.” 

― Martin Luther King Jr.

Overview

English 11 and English 12 Regents Prep are designed to reinforce your ability to:

• Read complex texts for information, understanding, and enjoyment.
• Write creative, analytical, argumentative, narrative and college essays.
• Understand the college process and explore possibilities beyond high school. 
• Engage in discussions that prompt us to think about concepts from a variety of perspectives.
• Most importantly…value our education and become lifelong learners!

All strategies and activities will gradually prepare you for the ELA Common Core Regents Exam in January & June 2020 AND help you gain a deepened understanding of the college & career process. 

Grading Categories

• Assessments: 50%

• Classwork: 40% 

• Homework: 10%

 Assessments: 50% Benchmark Writing Assessments, Portfolios, projects, exams, quizzes   

Assessments are largely defined as an evaluation to measure your knowledge of a particular topic. Does this mean that you’ll be tested every day?? No. In the case of English 11, assessments will be formal writing pieces, quizzes, projects, presentations and completion grades for Interim Assessments and Scholastic Reading Inventories (SRI) 

• Interim Assessments are “checkpoints” that will be administered EVERY QUARTER, to provide exposure to Regents style questions, and measure your comprehension of various skills covered during class time. 
• Text Analysis Responses and Argumentative: Writing from Sources essays which allow individual choices will be among the major assignments, in order to prepare for the Regents exam in June.
• Group Assignments require students to collaborate with peers and apply acquired knowledge.
• Benchmark Writing Assignments and other projects are done over an extended period of time and follow the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, feedback, editing, reflecting).

Classwork: 40%

• Class Notes include responses to in-class assignments, discussions, presentations, shared texts and vocabulary lists.

• Consistent attendance and frequent participation are basic expectations; obviously, excessive lateness and unexcused absences negatively impact the completion of classwork and participation in class.

 Homework: 10%

Rationale: 

• Homework should demonstrate that it was completed with care and accuracy.
• Homework should be completed to the best of each student’s ability.
• Homework should be returned to school on time.
• Homework will be graded based on completion 

English Department Homework Policy and Rationale:

• According to research done by the National Education Association (NEA), “at the secondary school level, student homework is associated with greater academic achievement.”  Not only does homework support students in developing core skills as readers, writers, and thinkers, it supports them in building a strong work ethic and developing time management skills that lead to ongoing success, especially in college where much of the work is done outside of class.  In alignment with the NEA’s guidelines, our homework assignments usually fall into one of three categories: “practice, preparation, or extension.”  

• The goals of homework assignments include practicing in order to master skills introduced in class, preparing for success in both the short and long term, and extending learning through completing assessments that are always started in class.  Students are generally given more than one day to complete homework assignments and given opportunities to work with teachers during callback to receive clarification and support. It is without question that “we learn by doing” (Aristotle); therefore homework plays a vital role in furthering the education of students that occurs both in school and at home.    

 Class Participation

Your class participation means coming to class on time, prepared, paying thoughtful attention throughout class, contributing during discussions and activities, keeping your electronic devices out of sight, and treating others in a respectful manner. If you do not come to school or use class time wisely, your grade will suffer. We meet for forty-one minutes every day and we have a lot to accomplish in a very short period of time. Please be aware that time lost is missing out on the opportunity to learn something new each day.