2012-2013 Disclosure

August 15^th, 2012

Dear Parents and Students,

            My name is Mrs. McClellan, and I look forward to a great semester here at Oldham County High School as your Proficient Literacy teacher! I am providing you with some general information about class rules, consequences, basic procedures, and the course of study that will be carried out this semester in my classroom.

Materials for Class (These are the materials you should have in class EACH day):

1.       3-ringed binder  or Folder (The binder should NOT be larger than 1inch)

2.       5 divider tabs (label tabs the following: 1- Organization and Time Management, 2- Internet Safety and Responsibility, 3-Writing Strategies , 4- Reading Strategies, 5-Warm-Up Skills)

3.       Notebook paper

4.       Agenda Planner (The school will provide you with one) I am also allowing students to use the agenda or calendar on their phone or tablet device. However, it still can only be out with permission.  Please make sure you have your planner in class EACH day.

5.       Highlighter, Pen, and Pencil

Course Purpose:

Literacy is your ability to read, write, speak, think and solve problems to function well in school, at work, with your family and friends, and in society.

This is more than just your ability to read and write. Literacy includes all the skills that help you function successfully in life that have roots in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and observing.

Course Assessment and Grading:

*Course grades will be based on the following:  Literacy Skills Practice, Argumentative Writing Pieces, Warm-Up Skills, and Various Assessments. Assessments will be the CORE weight of the student’s grade. There will be a formal assessment at the end of each Literacy Skills Practice Unit (There are 4 units total).

*Course grade is a “rolling” grade that continues through the semester.  A student’s grade does not “start from scratch” each nine weeks.

Course Weekly Schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
-Weekly Calendar Review -Literacy Skills Practice	-Reading Workshop with Warm- Up Skills -Literacy Skills Practice	-Vocabulary Development Warm- Up Skills - Literacy Skills Practice	-Language Development (GRAMMAR)  Warm-Up Skills -Literacy Skills Practice	-Literacy Game -Remediation or Assessment

*Every Tuesday you must bring something to read for Reading Workshop. Kindles, Nooks, and IPads are allowed for reading workshops.  I will always have things to read here in the classroom; however, you may not like my selection. J

Literacy Skills Practice Units:  

Literacy Focus #1 (Organization and Time Management)

·         Writing in a Planner

·         Discovering your learning style

·         Homework and Study Tips                                             

Literacy Focus #2 (Internet Safety and Responsibility)

·         Digital Citizenship (What should you know before you are browsing the World Wide Web)

·         Using effective publication resources (spell check, dictionary, grammar references, etc.)

·         Using Effective Research resources (school’s online database systems, reliable websites, etc.)

Literacy Focus #3 (Writing Strategies)

·         Note-Taking

·         Brainstorming

·         Argumentative Writing, Thesis Writing, etc.

·         Editing

Literacy Focus #4 (Reading Strategies)

·         Strategies to help comprehend both fiction and non-fiction text (REAP, SOAPStone, Double-Entry Journal, Graphic Organizers, etc.)

Class Rules and Personal Expectations:

1. Respect to people and to property

(Keep your hands to yourself.  Do not alter or vandalize anyone’s property or possessions. Do not write on or carve on school property such as books and desks. Treat computers and technology with care, raise your hand before speaking, use pencil sharpener during non-instructional time only, and help keep the room clean-Please pick up your trash! J)

2. Talk at appropriate times with appropriate language

 (no swearing, no interrupting, raise your hand when you have a question or comment, use positive and courteous language, and refrain from using discouraging comments to one another)

3. Be prepared and ready to work when the bell rings!

(Be in your assigned seat when the bell rings. Come to class each day with “Prof Lit” binder, paper, a pencil/pen, a highlighter, and a great attitude!) 

4. Obey and follow all school rules

(Dress code, tardy policy, grades, cheating, cell phones, I pods, etc.)

If rules 1-4 are broken in any way, consequences will follow.

1. Warning
2. Private meeting (teacher and student will design an Action Plan)
3. Contact Parent
4. Contact Administrator

(However, it is important to note that if misbehavior is extreme or harmful in any way consequences 1-3 will be skipped and administration will be contacted immediately)

Assigned Work & Make-up Work: A student’s success is very important to me. Although there will be deadlines for each assignment, a student can ALWAYS turn in something late. However, points will be deducted when an assignment is turned in late and this can eventually affect a student’s grade. If a student is absent, they will always be given time to make-up that assignment for FULL CREDIT; however, if more than a week (5 school days) goes by since the absence, the student can no longer receive FULL CREDIT on the assignment. Daily assignments and class information will be posted on the classroom website (www.proliteracy.blogspot.com) or my teacher Edmodo page (Mrs. McClellan Oldham County High).

Parent Communication

I want communication to be a top priority of mine this year as your child’s educator. Please let me know if you have read through this disclosure by signing the following page. If you have any questions or concerns after reading, please feel free to contact me via email or telephone. Thank you. I look forward to meeting each of you and working with you this semester.

Mrs. Emily McClellan

emily.mcclellan@oldham.kyschools.org

(502) 222-9461 (OCHS)