Dear Parents/ Guardians,

I look forward to an exciting and successful 2008-2009 school year as I strive to provide the best possible instruction for all my students. Research shows that students who have back-up at home make the biggest learning gains. I implore you to help your student to achieve success. Let us begin this journey by first carefully reviewing the school and classroom expections and policies. I have also included an optional supply list that consists of a few essential items at the bottom of this letter. These supplies will not last the entire year so please replenish as needed. I have also required that each student bring to class (every day!) a novel of high personal interest. Please make sure that your student fulfills this requirement by allowing him or her to have access to libraries and bookstores.

TEACHER CONTACT

Please feel free to contact me with any question or concerns by either e-mailing me at rhona.hunter@browardschools.com or by calling for EXT 3157 from7.00 - 7.20a.m or after school -2.45 -3.00pm. There is also my teacher web page by which parents and students may access assignments. TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE YOUR CHILD'S HIGHEST POTENTIAL!

Thank You,

Rhona Hunter,

Grade 9 Reading

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

1) BE PROMPT - arrive on time. Excessive tardies will not be tolerated and can result in referrals or detention and a lowering of your overall participation grade.

2) BE PREPARED - have all necessary classroom-related materials (pen, binder,  student planner, highlighter, novel). Cellphones, I-pods, MP3’s, Video Games, and earbuds will be confiscated if visible and given to administrators for the rest of the school day. Complete any given assignments on time because a zero will negatively affect your GPA.  If you are absent for any reason, make–up work is your responsibility and must be completed within two days of the absence.

3) BE POSITIVE – have an “I can do it” attitude. DO NOT GIVE UP! Always try your best and let your efforts rise above your excuses.

4) BE RESPECTFUL – towards your teacher, peers, school administrators, and the school property. Lack of personal self-control hurts your learning, your grades and the learning of others. Remember that respect is earned, so if you want it for yourself, you need to show it towards others.

**CONSEQUENCES MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Verbal Warning

Reassigned Seating

Parent Contact

Detention

Referral

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

SYLLABUS

Target Area: All students scoring a Level 1 or Level 2 on SSS FCAT.

Content:  Fluency, Vocabulary Development, Reading Comprehension using fiction/nonfiction, poetry and other genres, learning strategies to incorporate critical thinking skills, and the writing process.

Material: Monthly Instructional Focus Calendar in place addressing the Sunshine State Standards.  Various texts are used with a focus on the standards required for success on the SBBC Mini and Benchmark Assessments leading to FCAT.  

Texts include: Hampton-Brown Edge-Level C, Jamestown Signature Series and Timed Readings, Vocabulary, Great Source, FCAT Explorer and additional reading websites.

Novels assigned per grade level.

Assessments:  Florida Assessments, BAT assessments, quizzes and midterm and final exams.

HOMEWORK and GRADED ASSIGNMENTS

Homework will consist of maintaining a weekly reading journal (20-30 minutes of reading per nignt), and/or a teacher-assigned hands-on activity. Reading Assignments are due weekly.

MAKE-UP-WORK

Students if you are absent from school, it is YOUR responsibility to check the teacher's webpage and turn in any missing assignments within two days of your return. As per the 2008-2009 School Board Policy - "When a student has been absent, he or she is expected to make-up work in a timely manner. Make-up work for credit and grades is only allowed for excused absences. This is an important policy change. Teachers do not have to award credit and grades for make-up work due to unexcused absences. Students will have two class days to make-up the work for each class day the student is absent,not including the day of return. However, previously assigned work is due the day of return. " (PG 10, Curriculum Guide 2008-2009).

EVALUATION / GRADING

Your report cards will be based on classwork, test scores, homework - reading journals or hands-on activity and class participation. Classwork grades are composed of Daily Assignments, Tests/Quizzes, and Class Participation - this grade will reflect academic as well as personal behavior and self-control within the classroom. Most assignments will have a start value of 100 points however some assignments may start as high as 400 points depending on the degree of preparation and work involved. This means that no student can afford to have any untidy, missing or late assignments as the chance to make up a grade is very limited. All assignment and grades will be posted on Pinnacle Viewer and are available to parents as well as students - so please track your academic progress regularly!

BATHROOM PASSES

Parents and students please be aware that each period break is an opportunity to use the bathroom or to get a drink of water. Use of the bathroom during is mostly limited to an emergency or a prevailing medical condition. Unnecessary usage creates distraction and may result in a lower class participation grade as it takes away from CRITICAL classroom instruction. Students will be issued 4 emergency bathroom passes every midterm. There will be BONUS credit of 25 points for each unused pass.

MS. HUNTER'S CLASS SUPPLY LIST

Bound Composition Book for Journaling

3-Ring Binder ( 1/2 - 3") with dividers to organize classwork

Loose-leaf paper

1 Portfolio or Small Expanding File to organize returned assignments

Pens/#2 Pencils/ 1 covered pencil sharpener/ colored pencils /markers

4-pack colored highlighters

A NOVEL OF PERSONAL HIGH INTEREST