WELCOME
HOMEWORK: Please click on the "homework" page to see a running log of
classwork and homework assignments.
ABSENCES: After an absence students are to check over the homework section
of this webpage to see what was missed BEFORE approaching me about what was
missed.
ANNOUNCEMENT: There is an extra credit assignment in the "handouts" section
of this website, relating to The Joy Luck Club. The assignment is due on
Monday, Feb 8, no exceptions and no late work.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Students who did not pass the semester exam will have an
optional opportunitity to re-take the exam (or complete corrections, or take
a different exam) next week. Students must attend two study sessions (Mon
Jan 11 and Tue Jan 12 in the mornings) to go over materials and skills that
were missed on the original exam, and then the retake will be given on
Thursday, Jan 14th, in the morning. Students unable to attend each study
session, which begins at 8:00 am, will not be eligible for the re-take. All
students who failed the semester exam were notified Jan 5 and 6, and of
course the exam grade has been posted on gradespeed since Dec 18.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Antigone test re-takes: The scores were low for this exam,
and I am offering a re-take. Re-takes must be taken during normal tutorial
times: Every morning before school unless I have a meeting (usually
Wednesdays) as well as Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. The last day I
will offer re-takes will be Tuesday after school. To avoid students taking
advantage of this opportunity and taking it on the chance they might do
better, I will take the second test grade, even if it is lower. This is to
encourage students to study. TAKS COMPOSITIONS: Students scoring a 2 or
lower must come in for a mandatory conference. Students scoring a 3 or
higher are encouraged to come in for a conference for individual feedback and
suggestions for improvement.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Students who are unable to complete their summer assignment or
take the quizzes/exams over the summer reading requirements must have a
parent or guardian contact me personally by telephone as soon as possible.
Only direct parent contact and a valid explanation will allow for an
extension on these assignments and excuse any late penalties.
NEWSFLASH!! Please visit the newsflash page to sign up for important email
announcements. I will try to use it as often as I can remember. Keep
checking this webpage, however, for information about assignments, etc.
GRADES ARE SENT HOME WITH STUDENTS EVERY THREE WEEKS!!! OR, YOU CAN ACCESS
YOUR CHILD'S GRADES, ATTENDANCE, AND OTHER INFORMATION AT ANY TIME FROM YOUR
HOME COMPUTER THROUGH GRADESPEED HOME ACCESS!! CALL THE OFFICE FOR MORE
INFORMATION!!!
English II and English II Pre-AP
Ryan White, Room B103
School Phone: (512) 428-7048
ryan_white@roundrockisd.org
http://TeacherWeb.com/TX/StonyPointhHighSchool/MrWhite/
The best way to reach me is to email me at the address above. If you need
to call the classroom, please do so before 9:00 am or after 4:10 pm.
schedule:
1st period: pre-AP English
2nd period: conference
3rd period: pre-AP English
4th period: pre-AP English
5th period: conference
6th period: pre-AP English
7th period: pre-AP English
8th period; pre-AP English
Tutorial schedule: (subject to change)
I am available almost every morning by 8:15, except on Wednesday mornings.
I am also available Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays after school.
Course Objectives for English II: (pre-AP is below)
The goal of this class is to help you improve as a reader, to become a
better writer, to increase your working vocabulary, to improve your
spelling, to improve your thinking and speaking skills, and to personally
reflect and respond to the world around you through various written
responses. If you work hard, show sincere effort, strive to improve, stay
organized, show independence and responsibility, turn your work in on time,
and master the necessary skills, you will be successful in my class. (The
standards and proficiencies for English II are based on the Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which are established by the Texas Education
Agency (TEA). You can review the TEKS for all classes at
www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/index.html.)
Here are the reading selections for this year. All selections are subject
to change.
Selected short stories
Antigone
Shakespearean play TBD
Legends of King Arthur
Of Mice and Men
War novel TBD
Course Objectives for Pre-AP English II:
This class is designed to prepare students for upper level AP classes, and
eventually, the AP exam. These courses simulate college-level English
classes, and demand more effort, attention, motivation, and skill. AP
students also have an opportunity to receive actual college credit based on
their performance on the AP exam. Developing self-discipline in the area of
time management is a goal of all Pre-AP/AP classes, as students are often
assigned readings or multiple long-term projects that require careful
planning and organization. Literary Analysis: We do not simply “read”
literature in an AP class, we critically analyze it in great depth and
detail. Therefore, one cannot rely on Cliff’s notes or class discussions
for understanding. At times, students could be studying one book or play in
class and a different work outside of class. Students are encouraged, but
not required, to purchase their own copies of books, so that they may
annotate as they read, and begin to build their own personal collection of
influential literature.
Writing: Writing is an integral part of every Pre-AP/AP class. Students
will be required to write papers of varying lengths throughout the year,
including in-class, timed essays as well as more formal essays. Other
details about English II Pre-AP will be discussed in class throughout the
year.
Here are the reading selections for this year. Reading selections are
subject to change.
The Life of Pi by Yan Martel (summer reading requirement)
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (summer reading requirement)
Selected essays, excerpts, and short stories
Antigone
Of Mice and Men
The Stranger
The Joy Luck Club
The Great Gatsby
Self selected college level works
Materials: Please come to class each day with notebook paper, pens and
pencils, a folder or binder, and a spiral notebook. Also, you will be
expected to bring any reading materials that have been assigned, like novels
or self-selected works. It is imperative that you bring the required
materials to class every day! Of course, everybody is forgetful once in a
while, but multiple occurrences will result in consequences.
Tardiness: In order to be considered and on time for my class, you must be
in your seat, beginning on assigned work, when the bell rings. The first
tardy will result in a warning. Two tardies will result in a phone call
home. On the third tardy, the student will receive after-school detention.
the 4th tardy will result in additional detention and another parent
contact. Any further tardies could result in an office referral. A missed
detention could also result in an automatic office referral. Please consult
the student handout for further information regarding the tardy policy.
Absences and make-up work: Attendance is crucial to success in high school,
and because of our “block schedule,” it is very difficult to catch up after
an absence. We cover a great deal of material each day; when you miss
school, you miss valuable lessons, lectures, and discussions. As a student
in my class, it is your responsibility to acquire, complete, and turn in
work that has been missed due to absence. Students are also encouraged to
find another student in the class
(a “study buddy”) to collect handouts and communicate to you what was
covered in class. If you miss an exam or quiz, you must make arrangements
with me to make it up. If you miss class due to an extracurricular activity,
you are still responsible for any work that was assigned or completed while
you were gone. On the day that you return, you will still be expected to
turn in homework or take a quiz. Any student absent on a day that an
important assignment is due (like a test, project, or paper) that student
must have his or her parent call me personally to excuse the absence.
Because of the convenience and accessibility of this webpage, students are
expected to be aware of what was missed and to be as prepared as possible
upon their return to class.
Late Work: All assignments are expected to be turned in at the time they
are requested. Any late assignment will be recorded as a “zero” in the
gradebook. A late assignment can be turned in during the next class meeting
for a 20 point penalty. After that, the assignment will not be accepted,
and the zero will remain in the gradebook. I expect long-term assignments
to be turned in on the due date, despite absences. I generally do not
accept excuses for late work that involve malfunctioning computers or broken
printers; these situations can be easily avoided by completing work in a
timely fashion. Your work must be ready to turn in at the beginning of
class. This means that you cannot show up to class with a disk and ask if
you can print, or ask if you can get your assignment off of your email.
This might be acceptable before school, but not during class. To avoid such
problems, do not wait until the night before
to complete or print a project. (Also, as a student of this campus, you
have access to the library and computer lab if your computer is
malfunctioning) If you have other circumstances that prevent you from
turning in work on time, please let me know as soon as possible and we can
work something out.
Mandatory tutorial policy: Students will be required to attend
tutorials due to missing work and/or a failing class grade.
Tutorials will be held on Tuesdays and Thursday, before and after school.
Students should arrive by 4:20 and be prepared to work on the missing or
insufficient assignments. If students skip or arrive late, they may be
assigned detention, Saturday school, or be referred to the principal for
failure to comply.
Discipline Policy: Students are expected to behave in an appropriate manner
while at school, and actively participate during class. These expectations
are discussed at length on the first day of school and should be followed
throughout the school year. This system allows students an opportunity to
correct inappropriate behavior on their own, before involving parents or
administrators. Of course, I reserve the right to modify this system as
needed.
1st offense: Friendly reminder
2nd offense: Official warning
3rd offense: student conference
4th offense: parent/teacher conference
5th offense: Office referral
Tutorials: Attending tutorials is a great way to catch up or get extra
help, and all students are encouraged to attend. Students who are in
jeopardy of failing are expected to attend regularly. When you attend
tutorials, please sign in and out in the “tutorial journal” so I have a
record of your attendance. The specific times for tutorials will be
discussed in class.
Failures: Any student failing my class is required to attend tutorials at
least once per week until his or her average is above passing. Parents: If
you receive a progress report or report card that indicates your child is
failing, please contact me as soon as possible.
Parents and guardians: Staying aware of your child’s progress and behavior
is a valuable part of his or her success in school. Anticipate and expect
your child to bring home a progress report or report card every three
weeks. ONCE AGAIN, YOUR CHILD SHOULD BRING HOME A PROGRESS REPORT OR A
REPORT CARD EVERY THREE WEEKS! If you do not receive a grade report, please
call me.
Grade Distribution for English II: (subject to change)
Daily Grades: 50% (25% quizzes, 20% homework/classwork, 5% participation)
Major Grades: 50% (including tests, papers, projects, notebooks)
Grade distribution for Pre-AP English II: (subject to change)
Daily grades: 50% (30% quizzes, 20% homework/classwork)
Major grades: 50%
(This will change to 60% major grades and 40% daily grades for the 2nd 6
weeks and for the remainder of the year)
A SPECIAL NOTE TO PRE-AP STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS:
Not all students are ready for Pre-AP level work. Some may be ready to try
one advanced level class, while others can handle more. Here are some
considerations to keep in mind:
Is the student organized, self-motivated, and self disciplined? Can this
student manage his/her time, or does he/she procrastinate?
Is the student already overloaded with other challenging classes and
activities?
Does this student consistently complete assignments by a deadline?
Does the student complete work without parental supervision?
Is the student reading and writing above grade level?
Is the student willing to spend significant time reading and analyzing
passages in great depth and detail, even for texts that the student may
dislike or find extremely challenging?
Is the student willing to work on numerous revisions of writing pieces?
Can the student think abstractly?
Does the student have analytical reading skills?
Does the student become discouraged easily or will he/she continue to work
hard even if his/her grades are lower?
Is the student willing to work every evening on a reading or writing
assignment?
Is the student ready for introductory college level work?
Please note: If the student hates to read or write, then Pre-AP may not be
a good placement.
Finally, Pre-AP classes are at least three times harder than an on-level
course. Students should expect 3-4 times more homework. Students should be
self-selecting college level reading material for SSR. Students who have
not performed well on TAKS should not be in Pre-AP. A talent for creative
writing does not necessarily indicate that he/she will be successful in an
AP class. A student new to the AP program should expect a significant
increase in difficulty and workload, and should prepare to be challenged.
These comments are not meant to scare students away; rather, they are a
realistic depiction of the expectations in this class.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments.