Required Materials:
Pocket Folder (provided by Mrs. Cavill)
Writing Utensil
The Rules:
1. TURN IN ALL ASSIGNMENTS.
Since we only have about 16 classes total together (1 marking quarter), we
will only be writing 4 graded papers: a narrative, an imaginative, an
informational, and a persuasive. That means each paper is worth 25% of your
final grade. If even ONE of those papers is not handed in, it will severely
affect your report card grade. However, if you use your time wisely in
class, you should have plenty of time to complete your assignments.
2. LATE PAPERS.
A paper will be penalized 1 point for each class day it is late. Since the
papers are only worth 30 points, 1 point can be very detrimental to your
grade. If a paper is missing at the time the grades are posted to Progress
Book, the paper will be marked "MISSING" until you turn it in, regardless
of reason.
3. BE PREPARED.
Since you only have this class 2 days in every cycle, it is EXTREMELY
important that you bring your materials to class EVERY time. You are
expected to complete the majority of your essay IN CLASS, not at home or in
study hall, so you NEED to have your materials with you at all times. If you
are unprepared for class more than 2 times, you will be asked to stay for
detention during lunch or after school with me.
4. USE YOUR OWN WORDS
Taking someone else's words and using them as your own is plagiarism.
Copying and pasting from the Internet is absolutely unacceptable. According
to the DMS handbook, "The penalty for plagiarism, cheating, or contributing
to cheating will be a grade of zero..." Most likely, you will not pass this
class with a zero, so DO NOT PLAGIARIZE.
5. VISIT THE WRITING WEBSITE.
All prompts and due dates for papers will be posted on my website. Go to
www.dallassd.com and click on "Our Schools" then “Middle School”
then “Faculty.” Find my name and click. This will link to my web
page. Also, feel free to email me at any time at jcavill@dallassd.com.