house's scholars are 
college & career ready!

participate & Collaborate like scholars!

        Students in my class do not usually raise their hands to participate. Instead, you will usually be given the opportunity to  first practice your knowledge with a partner or group, then I will call on students at random to share their knowledge. I will  provide specific feedback so students can know exactly what they are doing correctly and what they still need to do to improve. 
        My class must be a SAFE PLACE to make mistakes. Learning to participate in class discussions can be frightening. But  with time you will get used to it, I promise! It is expected that we act as a supportive TEAM and NEVER discourage others  from trying. This is very important to me!

scholar cards
Purpose:  To ensure that students are being challenged to think critically in class and participate and  cooperate with their peers. It also helps the teacher to check for students’ understanding of  concepts and to create a positive learning environment.

  • Each student will receive one Scholar Card each quarter. Students must write their name, period, and  quarter in PEN at the top of the card.
  •  At the beginning of each day, students will take out their card.  The only days that we will not do this is on sub days and on days of tests.  If students participate in a class discussion using academic language (showing proficient-3,  skilled-4, or exceptional-5 understanding), Mrs. Housepian will give them a signal and they will  write today’s date on a free space on the card and flip their card over.
  • Students can also earn Scholar Credit through a variety of ways!  See the window in our classroom for suggestions!
  • At the end of the period, students are responsible for turning in their Scholar Cards to their period's bin IF they got "credit".  Mrs. House will then review the cards and place a stamp on top of the written date on the card.   If the date is not written clearly, it will not get a stamp.
  • As the year progresses, students will be expected to earn more and more points, but to start,  each student must demonstrate “proficient, skilled, or exceptional” mastery during in-class  discussions at least once a week for a Formative Assessment grade.

If you lose your Scholar Card, you may ask for a new card, but you will lose credit for all stamps you had earned up until that point. So keep it in a safe place!

READ & WRITE like scholars!

This is an English class.  So guess what?  You're going to READ and read often!  Yeah!    If that sounds exciting for you, then great!  You've found a home!  But if reading copious amounts of pages freaks you out, don't worry; you're not alone.    Although an honors class will require you to read much on your own, we also read many of our novels, stories, articles, plays, poems, etc. TOGETHER in class.  AND for your OREO (Outside Reading Educational Opportunity) projects, you'll get to CHOOSE a book that YOU want to read!  Do be ready to be CHALLENGED to think more CRITICALLY about the texts we read.  But also be ready to learn to LOVE reading!

Students will be assigned a multiple  process essays and timed writings throughout the year.  Nearly all will relate directly to what you READ in this class.  Do not be discouraged if at the beginning of the year your scores aren't where you would like them to be.  Remember that it's about GROWTH over TIME, not immediate mastery.  Allow yourself to embrace the process!    Students are encouraged to meet with  Mrs. House during OH (Office Hours) to improve their writing scores throughout the year. 

Process Writing projects are a very big part of your grade. You will have multiple opportunities  to build your essay with teacher guidance as well as group and partner input. Various online tools will be used to enhance your writing and/or check for plagiarism!   Remember, an essay is never "done", you just run out of time...so make that time count!

Final drafts of  essays must be typed using MLA format. All papers will be submitted to Turnitin.com as well. No late papers will be accepted, so plan ahead if you know you’ll  be absent and email it to me and submit it online on time. This is true for illnesses as well. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

STAY ORGANIZED like scholars!

Some people think that you are just born organized.  That's just not true!  You have to TRAIN yourself to be organized with your materials, stay on top of deadlines, manage your time, find resources, and more!

In this class, if you are willing to grow, you will learn all about these skills that SCHOLARS possess!

SCHOLAR PACKETS & UNIT GUIDES

Most large units will be organized for you on Google Doc SCHOLAR   GUIDE (found in the G-Drive "Toolbox").  These guides serve as a "headquarters" of sorts for all resources, assignments, deadlines, and more, so you can always be aware of what we are working on!


Much of your work will be submitted DIGITALLY, but you also will have a fair amount of work done on PAPER.   These paper assignments will be part of a SCHOLAR PACKET.   
  • Each packet will have a cover page that outlines the specific expectations of each assignment. You will also be able to evaluate yourself on your progress and see how you will be  graded with the use of a rubric on the back. 
  • You will complete assignments both in class and at home for homework. Homework  pages may be stamped for being completed on time.
  • All pages are graded for effort and completion. Some pages will be graded for accuracy and therefore be a formative assessment.
  • Packets are due on the day of the summative assessment (test or essay)! 
  • Students should use their packets like study guides for the test or quiz, or as writing guides for the essays. That is their specific purpose!
  • The only way to get a "5" (A+) is to do an "Not-So-Optional- 5 assignment" where you do something that requires you to inquire and dig deeper into an element of interest within this unit.
VOYAGE BOARD

As "Mariners", you are on a "Voyage" each and every week to grow, improve, and learn.  

Therefore, in this class you will have access to a Voyage Board Doc  (see your  class's section in the drop down options above) that has a record of everything found on the Agenda Board that week.  This includes the objective, agenda, opener, announcements, and HW! That means that you never have an excuse when absent to not know what you missed!  My fabulous TA will be taking care of this each morning.