Write, write, and write some more . . .
Advanced Composition, a one-semester English elective, is a study and application of the rhetorical (effective) writing strategies of narration, description, exposition, and persuasion. Using the writing process, students demonstrate a command of vocabulary, English language conventions, research and organizational skills, an awareness of the audience, the purpose for writing, and style. Students write a variety of types of compositions with a focus on fictional narratives, reflective compositions, and academic essays.
The Academy Spirit
The Shepard Academy Spirit - an intense energy and enthusiasm for learning and academic inquiry - is expected from all students. A spirit of peer cooperation and willingness to take on a leadership role is expected when working collaboratively.
Respect, response, and responsibility are the three ideas that set the tone for our community of learners. We will respect our ideas and the ideas of others. We will respond thoughtfully to each other and will accept responsibility for our own learning and actions.
Respect, response, and responsibility are the three ideas that set the tone for our community of learners. We will respect our ideas and the ideas of others. We will respond thoughtfully to each other and will accept responsibility for our own learning and actions.
Qualities of Academy Students
The courses in the Shepard Academy are designed to offer students a rigorous course of study. Following are some qualities expected in Academy students:
- 1. Multi-taskers. Students enrolled in Academy courses will be required to multi-task at an advanced level. Senior Block students may be expected to handle at least 5 to 6 different tasks simultaneously.These tasks may include independent reading, vocabulary studies, weekly and semi-weekly assignments, varied writing and reading assignments and/or speeches.
- Strong Time Managers. Academy students should have strong time management skills. Part of these skills will include using a planner to ensure adequate preparation for long-term projects.
- Responsible Self-learners. Academy students are independent workers who are self-starters and naturally seek resources to answer questions and accomplish tasks. In addition, they are resourceful and pursue additional enrichment of studied topics. They use previously corrected papers and assignments as guides and references for improvement of future work.
- Advanced Readers. Academy students should be able to identify major concepts in fictional and informative texts. Furthermore, they are willing and expected to read increasingly difficult texts in specified time frames.
- Skillful Writers. Academy students should expect to write every day in a variety of modes which will include in-class timed writings, expository essays, summary/responses, literary analysis, synthesis essays, reader’s response, and researched writing. Students use the writing process - prewriting, drafting, revision, and publication - and serve as thoughtful peer reviewers of their classmates' work.
- Willing Speakers. Academy students are expected to participate in a variety of speech situations.
- Careful Listeners. Students enrolled in the Academy are adept at listening, reflecting and responding to either written work or discussion.
- Serious-mindedness. Students in the Academy are focused on learning and achievement. This focus includes strong study skills.
Academic Integrity
The faculty and students of the Shepard Academy uphold the qualities of honesty, integrity, and truthfulness. Because we are a community of honor, honorable conduct is expected at all times:
1. Students will not give or receive aid on tests, quizzes, and exams from other students or electronic resources.
2. Students will not copy or allow to be copied any homework or other assignments.
3. Students will not plagiarize any part of published materials, essays, or work of another.
4. Academy faculty will uphold standards of honesty and integrity.
Any evidence of plagiarism, presenting someone else's work as the student’s own, the student allowing someone else to present his/her work, or collaborating without proper permission, results in failure for the specific assignment. Students must do their own work. Penalties for plagiarism/cheating range from a 0 on an assignment to loss of Citizenship to disciplinary action through the administrator’s office.
1. Students will not give or receive aid on tests, quizzes, and exams from other students or electronic resources.
2. Students will not copy or allow to be copied any homework or other assignments.
3. Students will not plagiarize any part of published materials, essays, or work of another.
4. Academy faculty will uphold standards of honesty and integrity.
Any evidence of plagiarism, presenting someone else's work as the student’s own, the student allowing someone else to present his/her work, or collaborating without proper permission, results in failure for the specific assignment. Students must do their own work. Penalties for plagiarism/cheating range from a 0 on an assignment to loss of Citizenship to disciplinary action through the administrator’s office.
Texts and Materials
There are no required texts or materials for Advanced Composition.
All texts will be provided and content will be posed on our Weebly website:
http://mrscoyenglish.weebly .com
All texts will be provided and content will be posed on our Weebly website:
http://mrscoyenglish.weebly .com
Chromebooks and Personal Electronic Devices
Because we strive to be a "paperless" course, your Chromebook is essential for your work in the Shepard Academy. When used properly for note taking, research, inquiry, and class activities, Chromebooks are a valuable educational tool. However, when used for gaming or unrelated Internet surfing, Chromebooks can be a distraction and can negatively impact a your performance in class. Students are expected to make responsible choices regarding Chromebook use in this class.
Students are to bring their Chromebooks, sufficiently charged, to class each day. The classroom’s design does not allow for easy access to multiple electrical outlets, so students should not expect to charge their Chromebooks in class on a regular basis. In the event that you do need to charge your Chromebook in class, please have your charger with you.
In consideration of your instructors and classmates, please keep your cell phone and other electronic devices out of sight during class unless otherwise instructed.
Students are to bring their Chromebooks, sufficiently charged, to class each day. The classroom’s design does not allow for easy access to multiple electrical outlets, so students should not expect to charge their Chromebooks in class on a regular basis. In the event that you do need to charge your Chromebook in class, please have your charger with you.
In consideration of your instructors and classmates, please keep your cell phone and other electronic devices out of sight during class unless otherwise instructed.
Assessments and Evaluations
Throughout the course, you are assessed via observation, discussion, in-class writings, formal writings, creative and analytical performances, individual and collaborative projects, and formal examinations. Many units of study will end with students completing a cumulative project. Whenever possible, you will be offered choice in content, process, and/or product.
In the pursuit of being a “paperless” course, whenever possible, assignments are submitted, evaluated, and returned through Google Classroom.
Graded work is evaluated using points and weighted categories. Each course grade is divided into component parts, or categories, each part being worth a percentage of the total course work grade for the course (100%).
The grading scale for the course is
89.5-100% = A
79.5-89.4 = B
69.5-79.4 = C
59.5-69.4 = D
59.4 and below = F
The two 9 week grading periods in a semester are cumulative. The cumulative course work grade counts 80% of the semester grade. The final exam/project counts 20% of that semester's grade.
Grading Categories (80% of semester grade)
Writing Tasks (60%)
In the pursuit of being a “paperless” course, whenever possible, assignments are submitted, evaluated, and returned through Google Classroom.
Graded work is evaluated using points and weighted categories. Each course grade is divided into component parts, or categories, each part being worth a percentage of the total course work grade for the course (100%).
The grading scale for the course is
89.5-100% = A
79.5-89.4 = B
69.5-79.4 = C
59.5-69.4 = D
59.4 and below = F
The two 9 week grading periods in a semester are cumulative. The cumulative course work grade counts 80% of the semester grade. The final exam/project counts 20% of that semester's grade.
Grading Categories (80% of semester grade)
Writing Tasks (60%)
- prewriting, drafts, peer review, reflections= 15%
- revisions = 45%
- sentence structure / sentence combining / improving writing style / punctuation / proofreading practice and assessments
- CommonLit, Newsela, summary & response, SAT Language Practice
- daily entries assessed after each group of 5 entries
Late Assignments and Make-up Work
Assignments are to be submitted electronically by the time and date indicated on Google Classroom or by the instructor. Late assignments submitted by the date indicated but after the time deadline receive a 10% late penalty; assignments submitted after the date and time indicated receive on initial 20% deduction with a 10% deduction for each additional day it is late (up to 50 percent). Missing work will be due halfway through and at the end of each grading period.
Students are to initiate their own make-up work. Any time a student misses part or all of a class for any reason, he or she should check the Academy’s Weebly website, Google Classroom, and with classmates before coming to an instructor with questions. Unless otherwise arranged, make-up work must be turned in within three class periods of the student’s return to receive full credit. Work missed due to truancy may not be made up. Make-up work will be due halfway through and at the end of each grading period.
Students are to initiate their own make-up work. Any time a student misses part or all of a class for any reason, he or she should check the Academy’s Weebly website, Google Classroom, and with classmates before coming to an instructor with questions. Unless otherwise arranged, make-up work must be turned in within three class periods of the student’s return to receive full credit. Work missed due to truancy may not be made up. Make-up work will be due halfway through and at the end of each grading period.
Being on Time Wins . . . Clockbusters
To encourage students to be present and on time each day, a drawing will be held the last Black Day of the week to award a Clockbuster coupon. Students who have been present and on time each Black Day that week are eligible. One number will be drawn and if the student with the corresponding roster number has been present and on time all week, he or she will receive a Clockbuster coupon. A Clockbuster coupon allows the student to submit an assignment on the next class meeting day after the original due date. It is NOT a homework pass; it does not excuse the student from the assignment. Clockbusters are non-transferrable and expire at the end of the school year.
High School Attendance Policy - as stated on the EVSC website
Coming to school every day, on time, can help students feel better about themselves and their learning and help them succeed in school and in life! Regular attendance directly affects student success. School is very hard for students when they miss classes. Students are required by Indiana law to attend school regularly until they are 18 years old. After age 18, students must be regularly attending and earning credits toward a diploma to stay enrolled.
What Will Happen:
If you continue to miss, the Juvenile Court judge may decide to take legal action.
Students who miss additional days of school after the pre-court conference are required by Indiana law to have a medical statement from a physician or be seen and possibly sent home by the school nurse. Failure to follow this law will result in a referral to Child Protective Services or Juvenile Court, depending upon the circumstances and the age of the student. There can also be a pre-court conference called if the student has missed 5 consecutive days (habitual truancy).
Students may have credits denied for excessive truancies. This is not automatic but at the school administrator’s discretion and based on individual circumstances. Continued truancies may also result in loss of a driver’s license or work permit. The Social Security Administration monitors to make sure students are attending school regularly. A restructuring of payments could occur for students who do not attend regularly.
What Will Happen:
- If you are absent more than a few days, your parent/guardian may get a call from the school to make sure everything is okay. If you need help, please let the school counselor or social worker know.
- After five absences, the school may send your parent/guardian a letter with tips and suggestions.
- At 8 days absent, your parent/guardian may receive another letter from the school offering help and support.
- If you have missed 10 days, your parent/guardian may be asked to take part in a pre-court conference or meeting with school staff. This conference is designed to provide you and your parent/guardian with a greater level of support and prevent having to go to court over attendance.
- At ten or more absences, the EVCS is required to refer you to Juvenile Court. Your parent/guardian may get a visit from the EVSC Truancy Officer or the Evansville Police Department. The officers will work closely with you and your parent/guardian to work through attendance issues and get you back on track.
If you continue to miss, the Juvenile Court judge may decide to take legal action.
Students who miss additional days of school after the pre-court conference are required by Indiana law to have a medical statement from a physician or be seen and possibly sent home by the school nurse. Failure to follow this law will result in a referral to Child Protective Services or Juvenile Court, depending upon the circumstances and the age of the student. There can also be a pre-court conference called if the student has missed 5 consecutive days (habitual truancy).
Students may have credits denied for excessive truancies. This is not automatic but at the school administrator’s discretion and based on individual circumstances. Continued truancies may also result in loss of a driver’s license or work permit. The Social Security Administration monitors to make sure students are attending school regularly. A restructuring of payments could occur for students who do not attend regularly.