Rules and Regs and Other Nonsense
Revised August 2005
The following information, while not absolutely necessary to your health and well-being, might just make your life a little bit easier (not to mention your grade a little bit higher). Read it carefully.
Note: I apologize for the unwieldy document you have just accessed. I'd cut it down if I could, but I want to be thorough. Read it once carefully, and then keep it for reference.
Note also: The author is not responsible for hernias or other health problems connected with carrying or reviewing any printed or electronic version of this document.
Highlights...
| Papers and Assignments | Late Papers and Work | Cheating |
| FAQ | ||
| Bring to Class | Make-up Work | Extra Credit |
Attendance
It is generally a good idea to attend class. You never know: something earth-shattering might happen that you wouldn't want to miss. Besides, the school has a policy regarding cutting that isn't very friendly.
Tardiness
When class begins, you are late if you are not in your seat. (Gee, what a novel notion.) I know that not all clocks in the school are exactly the same. But I also know--and you are responsible to know--what the one in my room says. You are not responsible if I begin class before the clock's hand reads that it is time, and it is to your advantage if class begins late, but I start when I am ready. Be there. A good rule of thumb: you are definitely tardy if I have taken attendance already when you get here.
Quizzes
I reserve the right to give you a quiz whenever I get the urge, and, even though that urge is infrequent, I will probably get it the one day you haven't studied. So call me a sadist.
Vocabulary and Grammar
We will have vocabulary and/or grammar units whenever I, in my infinite wisdom, feel that we need them. Grammatical errors on papers will cause your papers to get lower grades. (Duh.) See "Spelling" below for information about grades and your health.
Spelling
Misspelled words will cause a reduction in your grade, which in turn will result in a lowering of your self-esteem, which will inevitably lead to depression, stomach problems, and possible suicidal tendencies. For your health's sake, learn to use a dictionary (or at least your computer's spell checker). Your life may depend on it.
For a cautionary note about use of spell checkers, click here.
It is the responsibility of each student--not mine--to find out what he or she missed due to absence and to make it up in a reasonable amount of time. You should also keep track of who is in your class, in order to get specific notes in case of absence. (Note: If you are new to the district, or do not know anyone in this class, take the time right now to find out the names of at least two classmates. Ask me if you don't want to ask them.) Do not accost me in the hallway or in the two minutes prior to the start of a class and expect me to summarize lucidly (or even remember) all of the multitude of important events that occurred in class the day before (or even the period before). Always remember: my mind is a finely tuned miracle, and thank goodness it is because I have no clue how to tune it.
Note: Especially if I am in a hurry, I am often the worst source of information about "what happened yesterday." Ask a classmate. Or, better yet, click on the Homework Page.
Note well: All work, unless specifically excused by me (an extremely rare treat) MUST be made up. Quizzes (see above) often will be made up by short papers on specific questions pertaining to the reading. Assume that you need to make it up!
Note-Taking
It is generally a good idea to take notes. (My gosh! Another novel notion!) Use whatever format you are comfortable with. But TAKE NOTES! (I have been known to give occasional open-note tests or exams, and even--gasp!--grade notebooks!)
See separate handouts or links for all sorts of Very Important and Tremendously Fun Facts about Papers and Homework and stuff...
Here are some of the highlights:
Each assignment turned in to me should adhere to a basic set of criteria:
*It should be typed or written in pen. (I cannot read pencil--must be that brain damage again--and therefore I do not accept work written in pencil without a loss of a letter grade.)
The heck with that: Type It!.
*It should, though, if written, be done on loose leaf or similar paper.
*It should be written on one side of the paper only.
*It should be neatly written or prepared.
But did I mention that you should always type overnight work?
Note: I do not accept work that is sloppily prepared without a loss of points, and that includes work that is prepared on paper with "frizzy edges," which cause massive paper jams in my bag.
*Each paper should have the following information in a HEADING:
Name
Date
My name
Course and hour (Novel-1; E2H-4; CW-7; etc.)
Nature of Assignment (Quiz Makeup; Macbeth Essay; etc.)
*If the assignment is a paper, it should be titled. I do like imaginative or clever titles (as long as they have something to do with the work that is being presented, and as long as they are clear and make sense.)
* All homework is due on the date for which it was assigned. (Wow; I'm full of fascinating and original notions today!)
* Papers, etc., are to be handed in ON TIME.
* Acceptable excuses:
*Overdue papers will be graded as follows:
Loss of 10% of paper's value per day until it is turned in. This penalty, however, may at my discretion be placed "on hold" after the paper is five days late, in order to provide some motivation for turning it in. However, a "final" date is exactly what it says: a paper will be worthless if I have not received it by then.
*Papers not turned in (or turned in after "final" deadlines) will be graded Ø.
*If your paper's lateness is excused, please be certain that I have noted so on the paper itself. I have a terrible memory (probably due to brain damage from some traumatic experience in my youth) so it is YOUR responsibility to protect your grade.
There is not all that much in here that you could cheat on, but don't do it. I am watching you. (Insert eerie music here.)
What is Cheating?
Basically, if you think it might be, it probably is. Some forms of cheating that are common include:
Note: I do not object at all to "working together" on many assignments. However, I feel that this term applies only to preparing and not to writing that assignment. If you study with a friend, each of you should individually write your answers or papers, unless I have specifically stated otherwise.
What's the Penalty?
A grade of Ø. That, averaged with your other work, can absolutely KILL a grade. 'Nuff said.
Web Page and E-mail
Much information can be found on my web page, but then you're here, so you already know that.
My e-mail address is yourclass(e3h,e2h,drama,e3cp,film)@sunspark.com.
Classroom Communication
I would rather discuss than lecture in a class, but that, of course, is up to you. (Did you ever try having a discussion with yourself?) Also, from time to time--and possibly quite frequently--there will be oral work and group work (or, yes, maybe even written work) which is ungraded. This does not excuse you from doing it. Your effort here will be recorded, and could help--or hurt--your grade. See next section.
Effort and Participation
There will be a grade for class participation, which is yet another good reason to show up for class. (You can't participate in a class you are not in.) Even when I do not give a specific grade for class participation or effort, it does count nonetheless. Where it would come into play is at grading time, when I look at percentages as a guideline, and then at you. Since you are not numbers, numbers are not the only factor used in determining your grade. Such things as "ungraded" participation, preparedness, etc., can help you or hurt you (in significant ways). So show up and participate, already.
Note: Excessive absences, whether excused or not, can and will affect participation grades.
Seeing Me
It will be necessary in Writers' Workshop for you to meet with me for conferences about your pieces of writing. In addition, please come to see me any time you have any problems, need extra help, or just want to discuss the things we are doing. I am glad to provide help with classwork, a "sounding board" upon which you can bounce ideas, or a shoulder to cry on. But you have to initiate it.* Sign-up sheets are on the black filing cabinet in my room.
During my free period, I am usually in Room 55, if it is not being used, in the conference center, the English Office, or the Faculty Dining Room. I am also available, except when I am handling an extra-curricular activity, for after-school help. Just tell me that you're coming. My desk is located in Room 55
* Even in circumstances where a conference is a requirement, you have to initiate it. (This does not, of course, apply to pre-assigned conference times.)
Making Appointments
Seeing me is simple. Just let me know you are coming and/or sign up on the schedule. I can meet people during my free period, my conference center period, or the latter part of my lunch period. I might also be able to meet you immediately after school.
NOTE: If someone has already taken a time you want, you might ask me if it is likely that I could squeeze you in.
Grammar Gremlins
You will (soon, very soon) be supplied with a list called "Grammar Gremlins." This list contains words and phrases that I consider vital to your well-being and to the security of the nation. So, after you have this list and have had enough time to examine it, you will not be allowed to make errors on these items. There have always been extreme penalties for misusages. In the past, these punishments have ranged from drawing and quartering to beheading or firing squads, but the school administration is cracking down on that sort of thing this year. So, instead of exacting a pound of flesh for each error, I have, in my nearly infinite benevolence, decided not to punish you at all (unless you completely ignore the list, in which case we may have to go back to drawing and quartering). However, you are expected to be error-free in all of your work, so you might want to pay attention. See Grammar and Spelling above for health notices.
I do occasionally assign things for extra credit, but, for the most part, I leave it to you to suggest extra projects. Be creative. But be aware that NO extra credit will be awarded within the last week of any quarter, or after cut-off dates set by me. (By the way, I often do award a point or two extra credit for especially brilliant and original titles or phrasing.)
Journals
There will be some kind of journal kept in all classes. Details vary from class to class, but you are ALWAYS required to bring your journals to class with you.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
"How am I doing?"
This is a question which, under normal circumstances, I will NOT answer. I do post grades on Edline periodically; if you want to know at other times, keep track of them yourself.
"Do I have to take this quiz?"
Being absent on Thursday is NOT an excuse to miss a quiz on Friday, if the quiz is on material covered while you were in class. Bring your book home regularly. That way, you will always have it available to study in case of absence. Also, it seems to me that this is a good spot to reiterate the need to have classmates' phone numbers on hand, in order to get (or make sure of) assignments.
"Why didn't you read my revision?"
Probably because you either failed to highlight all changes or failed to give me the last draft I did read. Please make sure you do so every time.
"Did I miss anything important?"
Yes. (Silly person.)
Good Luck, and Have a Nice Day
These pages copyright Karen Kopriva 2005;
all rights are reserved