Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I turn in written work late?
- How do I make up work when I'm absent?
- May I rewrite my papers if I am not satisifed with the grade?
- How can I keep up to date on my grade?
- Why will I keep my papers in a folder or portfolio in the classroom?
- Can I do extra credit work to improve my grade?
- How do you figure grades in this class?
- Do I have to make up work when I have a pre-excuse?
- Will there be a lot of homework in this class?
- Why do we follow a thematic approach to teaching literature?
- Why do we study vocabulary in this class?
- What should I do if I begin to feel overwhelmed by the work in this class?
- Where can I go for extra help in this class or in my other classes?
Can I turn in written work late?
All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period
after which the assignment will be considered late. Late work
will be accepted one day late with a 50% point deduction. After
one day, late assignments will not be accepted. Often on
assignments given well in advance, no late work will be
accepted. I will announce this when the assignment is given. Of
course, all written work must be in blue or black ink; all essays
and out-of-class papers typed or word processed. Remember,
though, if you are on campus during the day but not in my class
for some reason, your work is still due. Turn it in to me in the
English Office or my mailbox in the main office.
How do I make up work when I'm absent?
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to see me about make-
ups. Contact me before school or before or after your class.
Generally, no class time will be taken for make-ups, unless it is
the last, best resort in my judgment. Remember you are also
responsible for any material covered in class during your
absence. Cultivate a friendship with a classmate in order
to get the notes from missed classes, and always check your
folder for handouts given while you were gone.
May I rewrite my papers if I am not satisifed with the grade?
Often you will be allowed (even encouraged) for rewrite your
papers. This is not just to improve your grade but to improve
your WRITING. I will probably ask you to visit Lincoln-Way
North's Writing Center before you rewrite. I will be in the
Writing Center during 3rd Period, but you can get feedback on
your writing any period it is open from a teacher or student
tutor before you rewrite.
How can I keep up to date on my grade?
Lincoln-Way has an online grading system, and you can use your
student I.D. and password to access these grades. Your parents
will have their own password to access your grades. I try to
keep grades as current as possible so they are meaningful. You
may also want to keep your own gradesheet for this class in your
folder or notebook.
Why will I keep my papers in a folder or portfolio in the classroom?
Each student will have a folder or portfolio in a file bin in my
classroom. Your folder will be filed alphabetically under your
class period. This folder will hold all your graded papers. This
is also the place I will put handouts on days you are absent.
Your portfolio serves many purposes, not the least of which is
keeping an accurate record of your graded work and giving us a
basis for discussion about your written work when we conference.
If I make a mistake recording a grade, we can always look back to
your folder to find the correct grade. I think you'll come to
depend on your folder as much as I do as the year goes on.
Can I do extra credit work to improve my grade?
From time to time in class, and occasionally on tests, I will
offer extra credit. These opportunities will be available to
every student in the class. Extra credit should not be
considered a crutch to replace effort on required work and will
not be offered to students on an individual basis.
How do you figure grades in this class?
Your grade is figured on the total number of points you earn each
quarter on various assignments--homework, quizzes, tests, papers,
and participation in various activities in class. The all-school
grading scale is used. I will file grades at least eight times
during the year (progress notices, quarter, and semester). Your
semester grade is determined by the first quarter grade (40%) and
the second quarter grade (40%) plus the semester exam (20%).
Students may want to keep a record of their own grades, and I
will provide you with a grade sheet form for this purpose.
Do I have to make up work when I have a pre-excuse?
Absolutely! Pre-excuses just mean you know ahead of time that
you will be absent. If you are going to be pre-excused, you
should see me before the absence so that make-up work can be
arranged. Whenever possible, work should be turned in before the
absence. Just like any absence, pre-excuses require you to get
the notes from missed classes and check your folder for handouts.
Will there be a lot of homework in this class?
It is a popular misconception that students don't benefit from
homework. Accept homework as essential. There will be some kind
of homework (often reading and preparing for tomorrow's
discussion or seminar) almost every night.
Why do we follow a thematic approach to teaching literature?
Using a thematic approach (rather than presenting material
chronologically)gives a framework for exploring essential
questions and enduring understandings and promotes student-
centered inquiry. Using a thematic approach also affords
opportunities to make interdisciplinary connections between what
we'll be learning in this class and what you'll be learning in
your other classes.
Why do we study vocabulary in this class?
Research shows that the students with large vocabularies do the
best in all their classes, both in high school and college. When
we formally study vocabulary, we are seeking to enlarge the
recognition vocabulary. The recognition vocabulary is made up of
those words we recognize and understand but may or may not use in
writing or speaking. Having a large recognition vocabulary
enables students to understand what they read in all their
classes.
What should I do if I begin to feel overwhelmed by the work in this class?
Understand that the kind of thinking that we'll be asking you to
do this year may be new and difficult. It is not unusual for
some students to need of a number of weeks of persistent effort
to initiate understanding. Sometimes students who have done well
in most of their other classes have an overly optimistic view of
their memory and are reluctant to take class notes, booknote
their texts, or even study for tests. Don't worry--you will
have plenty of resources in your own reading, your class notes,
your fellow students, and your teacher. Please do not be upset
with me if I refer you to the dictionary or a critical source
when you ask a question. One of our main goals this year is to
enable you to become more independent in your learning.
Sometimes students become frustrated with me when I answer their
question with yet another question or send them to an outside
source to seek the answer themselves. Please be patient with me
when I do this. Be sure that you can find the answer if you use
the resource at hand.
Where can I go for extra help in this class or in my other classes?
Lincoln-Way provides several options for students to get extra
help. During advisory period, students may go directly to
Academic Assistance to get help in most of their subject areas.
There will be a teacher there to help them, and often student
tutors are available as well. In addition to Academic Assistance,
Lincoln-Way North has a Writing Center for students seeking help
with their writing in ANY subject area. Students may sign up
ahead of time, get a pass from their teacher, or drop in for
help. The best way to insure getting help is to sign up a day or
two ahead of time. That insures the tutor will hold a spot just
for you. To get academic help in English make your way to the
Writing Center which is located in Room 200 right in the
library. If you need help in another academic area, you'll find
help in Room 228.
