2009-2010: College Writing Class

August 20, 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians:
I would like to welcome you and your child to 11/12 College Prep/English at OCSI. I am excited about having your child in my class, and I am committed to high expectations and standards for your child’s behavior and academic performance.

This English course is an elective course designed to prepare your child for performing at the college level, and the workload and course content will reflect that goal. Therefore, this course will be intensive and require ample time spent on all areas of communication. Your child should expect to spend time – both in and outside of class – preparing for written assignments as well as speeches.

Research suggests that there is a direct correlation between students’ high test scores and the time they spend reading. Your child can raise test scores significantly over time by spending thirty minutes a night reading. The higher the test scores are, the more scholarship opportunities your child will have.

Please feel free to contact me anytime you have a question or concern. I am always glad to schedule a conference, answer an e-mail, or return a phone call.

Your partner in education,
Ms. Allen Rowe
allen.rowe@ocsi.org
ALRowe1742@yahoo.com


11th/12th College Prep Class Syllabus

Class Name: College Writing and Speaking
Hour: Period 4
Teacher Name: Ms. Allen Rowe
Room Number: #328
E-mail Address: allen.rowe@ocsi.org or ALRowe1742@yahoo.com
The best time for parents to call me is: 958-3000, from 8-3. Please set up an appointment with the school to see or speak to me.

Course description: As stated on the OCSI Course Catalog, “College Writing and Speech class is an elective course designed to prepare students for performing at the college level in writing and speaking. Students will complete and present short-term and long-term projects, essays, speeches, and research papers. They will also participate in a class novel study on the book And Still We Rise. The workload, grading, and course content is intensive and requires that students spend ample time improving all areas of communication."

Class Activities: Class activities are designed to develop the students’ communication skills through writing and speaking. These activities include but are not limited to: public speaking in class (independently and in groups), discussions, writing to examine and explain their thoughts, especially on the subject of literature, working actively both individually and with others, and demonstrating their understanding through papers and projects. Course work will match the goal for students to be ready to perform at college level.

You will need the following materials for this class:
-- A4-sized binder with A4 Loose leaf paper for all assignments.
-- Pens/pencils.
-- IR book, or another novel as assigned by the teacher.
--A4 or B5 notebook for daily grammar bellwork assignments.
-- Assigned textbook copy of College Writing: Houghton Mifflin, 2003.
-- Other materials, as requested by the teacher.

Your grade will be based on the following:
Your grade will be determined based on the total number of points earned, from points available, in a given category.
--60% Papers (research papers, essays written in class or out of class, others as announced to students)
--25% Public Speaking (any speaking with an assigned due date more than three days in advance, not including impromptu speaking or discussion)
--15% Assignments (class participation, homework, class activities, quizzes, others as announced to students

GENERAL TIMELINE FOR 11/12th COLLEGE PREP:
Please note: The schedule below is estimated, and may be adjusted based on class needs, at the teacher’s discretion, at any point throughout the year.

First Quarter Second Quarter
Critical Thinking and Reading Field Research and Reports
Persuasive Writing and Research Types of Writing
Motivational/Persuasive Speeches

Third Quarter Fourth Quarter
Definition Essays Nonfiction Projects
And Still We Rise Novel Unit Self-Selected Projects
Essay Projects Public Speaking