You must take responsibility for your learning and grade…
this is the year of NO EXCUSES
Welcome to your general English elective. If you anticipate being absent a good deal during this class (block 2) due to doctors appointments, school functions (sports, band...) etc., perhaps you should consider taking it next year, or a different class. This class REQUIRES your presence on a daily basis. 10 viewing/participation points are possible each day, and you cannot make them up if you are gone.
All film criticisms have strict deadlines since they are assigned well in advance. You are responsible for getting your assignments turned in ON TIME, even if you are absent... if you anticipate being gone or are ill, turn them in early, or beg a friend or family member to turn them in for you.
Instructional Standards
Standard 7: Students speak with purpose to communicate clearly and effectively.
7.3 Use content and delivery strategies appropriate to purpose and audience
Standard 8: Students listen and view to understand information.
8.1 Apply multiple comprehension and decoding strategies during listening and viewing procedures
8.2 Apply information and concepts gained from listening and viewing
Reinforcement Standards
Standard 1: Students read to understand a variety of materials.
Standard 2: Students write with purpose using strategies and mechanics to communicate.
Standard 5: Students use relevant information from print, media, and technological and other resources.
I do not give any grades to students... students earn their grades. At the end of the semester, you will only have yourself to praise or blame for your grade. Please take this seriously... if you come to me at the very end of the semester and ask me what you can do to pass, my reply will be, "You can enroll in summer or night school." It would be a shame if this class kept you from graduating!
Please be aware that film criticisms (papers) are LONG TERM assignments and have STRICT deadlines. If you are absent NO MATTER WHAT THE REASON, EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED, the paper is still due on that day. If you turn it in later than that day, 50% will be taken off of your final grade for that assignment.
If you do not do the papers, you WILL NOT be able to pass the class... even if you never miss a class, receive all 10 viewing points every day, and get 100% on all of the tests.
All film criticisms will be assigned well in advance (usually 2 weeks in advance)... since this is a long term assignment, the due date is firm, whether or not you show up to class on that day. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND that long term due dates are firm EVEN IF you have an excused absence, the due date still applies to you. Take care of your business!
1. Students are responsible for sitting in their assigned seat in the attendance section every day
2. Students will sign in EVERY class in their designated folders
3. If you "forget" to sign in, you will be considered absent. Period. This is your responsibility.
4. If you sign in and decide to sneak out and I catch you, not only will you receive ZERO points for the day, but you will have an assigned viewing seat with Frenchie for the rest of the semester and will have further administrative action taken against you (i.e. a detention or 10)
It is impossible to reshow movies if you are absent for portions of them... this creates a logistical nightmare and it is not feasible. Since these movies are my own personal property, I will not let students take them home to view. You can either ask classmates for their notes, or you may go out and rent the movie from Hastings, Blockbuster, Showtime, Albertsons, Safeway, or King Supers to view the movie on your own time.
Following the 6th absence from class for any reason other than school excused absences, students will be dropped from the class with the grade of “F”, as mandated in the GCHS school regulations.
Because tardiness to class is both disruptive and disrespectful (and dangerous in a dark auditorium), students are expected to be on time. Students arriving late to class will be responsible for signing the tardy card and will be docket 5 of their 10 daily viewing points. Habitual tardiness will result in increased detention after school, as per school policy, after the 3rd Tardy, the detentions start. Students who arrive more than 20 minutes late will be counted absent and will receive ZERO viewing points. If a student is tardy, they will need to check in and sign the tardy sheet BEFORE they find a seat.
The movies will generally be centered on a specific theme or genre. It would be wise to pay attention and to take notes over the details.
This class will consist of the following assessment tools:
1. Written Tests/quizzes ~ covering: actors, plot, directors, production companies, themes, ratings, etc over viewed films. These will be objective tests (multiple choice, true/false, and matching) that will test your ability to pay attention and assimilate information.
2. Daily Viewing
* 10 points for each day you are in class, have good behavior and take good notes (and turn them in)
* 9-0 points if you have to be reminded of appropriate behavior, are tardy or take less than great notes - point values will be determined based on the severity of the inappropriate behavior and/or quality of notes
* 0 points if absent or more than 20 minutes tardy or do not turn in any notes
3. Written Film Criticisms - keep in mind that these are long-term assignments and that the due dates are firm. ALL written film criticisms are expected to be 2 pages, typed, double spaced, in 12 point font and use Times New Roman font.
4. The final assessment will be a comprehensive test over all of the viewed films.
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