Sophomore Composition and Literature

Southfield-Lathrup High School

2015-2016 Course Requirements
Mrs. Kristyn A. Biondo
Room C203 Phone: 248-746-7200 x6938
Email: kristyn.biondo@southfieldk12.org
Teacher Intern Ms. Stacy Rosner
rosners1@msu.edu
Textbooks:

Collections: Grade 10
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2015.
(For classroom use only online access will be provided to all students)
Holt Handbook: Grammar, Usage, Mechanics, Sentences: Fourth
Course, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2003.
(For classroom use only)

Course Description
The curriculum covers the writing process, correct usage of Standard English, and
analysis of literature. Cross-textual references similar to the SAT/M-STEP/WorkKeys
tests are used to improve awareness of themes. Students will learn to create essays,
which contain a recognizable introduction, body and conclusion.
Class Behavior
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner at all times.
Students should come to class on time, prepared to work, with appropriate materials.
The Southfield-Lathrup student code of conduct will be enforced at all times. Please
familiarize yourself with all policies and refer to the class procedures handout.
Homework Policy
Homework may consist of reading, worksheets, written questions, or projects. Students
should plan to study or review work done in class EVERY NIGHT. You will be expected
to complete your homework and turn it in at the assigned time. Copying another
students work will result in a zero grade on that assignment for ALL students involved
and may result in disciplinary action. Reading assignments are considered homework
and should be completed by the assigned date.
Late Work and Make-up Work
It is the responsibility of the student to determine what work (both class work and
homework) was missed during an absence or suspension. Students will have one
school day for each missed day to make up work missed due to an excused absence or
suspension. If a student misses a test, quiz, presentation or project deadline due to an
excused absence or suspension, he or she will be expected to turn in the missed work
or make up the test or quiz on the day they return to class. In the case of unexcused
absences and tardies, the teacher has no obligation to give credit for make-up
work. If a student is absent for class, but in school earlier or later that day, the
assignment MUST BE TURNED IN THAT DAY. Students are responsible for getting the
assignments missed from a classmate or teacher. Students who are late/absent due to
security issues (i.e. disciplinary action, dress code violations) are still responsible for any
assignments given in class that day.

Attendance/Tardy Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the SHS attendance policy. Students cannot have
more than 5 unexcused tardies or 5 unexcused absences in one semester. Students will
be referred to administration after 5 tardies or 5 unexcused absences.
Unexcused Tardies/Absences
It is IMPERATIVE that students arrive to class on time and attend class every day.
1. If a student is absent and the absence is unexcused NO CREDIT will be given for
homework missed on the day of the unexcused absence. A 0 will be recorded
for ALL assignments.
2. If a student is tardy and the tardy is unexcused NO CREDIT will be given for
work missed while the student was not in the classroom. A 0 will be recorded
for ALL work missed while the student was not in class.
Grading Policy
Card marking grades are determined by the students scores on homework, tests and
quizzes, classwork, projects, and writing pieces. Grades are calculated in the following
manner:
Homework: 15%

Classwork: 35%

Tests/Quizzes/Projects: 25%

Writing: 25%

Each card marking grade is 30% of the semester grade. The semester exam is 10% of
the semester grade.
Grading Scale
A
AB+
B
BC+

94-100
90-93
88-89
84-87
80-83
78-79

C
CD+
D
DF

74-77
70-73
68-69
64-67
60-63
0-59

Non-Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the action of using, without due acknowledgement, the thoughts,
scholarship, or inventions of another person. When writing a body of work, a student
must provide enough information in his/her paper so that the reader can identify that the
work is in fact the students own writing. All word-for-word quotations, any summaries,
and any borrowed ideas that are paraphrased or mentioned must have cited sources.
Plagiarism or turning in anothers work at Southfield-Lathrup High School will result in a
zero for the assignment with no make-up opportunities and may result in discipline
action from administration.
Dress code
All students are expected to follow Southfield Public Schools dress code policy. Purses
must kept under the desk or hanging on the chair - not on the desk or in laps.

Homework/Classwork Expectations
1. To receive full credit for work, the assignment must be:
headed properly- name, hour, and page number (if applicable) in upper righthand corner
written neatly in blue or black ink only!!!!!!!!!
turned in at the designated time
written in complete sentences unless otherwise noted
2. No name on the assignment = no credit given
3. Unexcused late work is not accepted for credit.
4. Opportunities may be available to rewrite or redo major projects or essays.
5. No free writing utensils will be given.
6. Copying all or part of another students work will result in a zero grade on that
assignment for all students involved and may result in disciplinary action.
Stay Connected
1. Remind 101-Sign up for email or text alerts
English 10: Text This number: 81010 with this message @biondo10
2. Mistar: View grades, teacher comments, and attendance
Contact B wing office for MiStar ID and password:(248) 746-7200
3. Email Mrs. Biondo: kristyn.biondo@southfieldk12.org

Please sign & return this page by September 21, 2015, for a homework grade.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I have read, understand, and will abide by the syllabus, behavior and homework
expectations, grading scale, and policies for Mrs. Biondo/Ms. Rosners Sophomore
English Composition and Literature course.

Students printed name___________________________________________________

Students signature______________________________________Date____________
Parent/Guardians printed name_____________________________________________
Parent/Guardians signature__________________________________Date__________
Parent/Guardian phone#__________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian email____________________________________________________

Parents/Guardians: If possible, please send an email to

kristyn.biondo@southfieldk12.org so I will have your email address easily accessible.
Email is always the best way to reach me.